Bilingual Green Space and Community Engagement Assistant

Would you like to join a growing, compassionate team of people who share a vision for a brighter future?  El Futuro is a leading provider of behavioral mental health treatment in North Carolina, specializing in services for Spanish-speaking individuals. Our mission is to nurture stronger familias to live out their dreams. 

El Futuro is currently hiring a full-time, bilingual Green Space and Community Engagement Assistant to steward and enhance our therapeutic garden and creek, cultivating spaces that are vibrant, accessible, and welcoming. This role leads community-informed events and programming outdoors, actively engages volunteers, and promotes environmental education. The Assistant helps ensure the green space fosters connection, belonging, and mental and emotional well-being, centering community voice in its design and use. 

The ideal candidate is someone who genuinely enjoys gardening, working outdoors in all seasons, and inspiring others to connect with nature, culture, and community. 

This position works 37.5 hours per week in-person at the Durham Office. The schedule includes two to three weekends per month and occasional evenings to meet community availability for programming. 

The pay rate is $19.00 per hour. El Futuro provides employer paid medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability; 403B matching; generous PTO and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and stipend and paid time off for professional development. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

The Green Space and Community Engagement Assistant performs a wide range of functions including, but not limited to the following: 

Stewardship of the Therapeutic Green Space 

Provide regular care and hands-on maintenance of the therapeutic green space, ensuring it remains a welcoming, healthy, and vibrant environment for healing and community connection. 

Lead planting, seasonal garden planning, and ongoing care of the community garden, including organizing and engaging community members, volunteers, and clients in watering, planting, harvesting, and general upkeep. 

Maintain and monitor the creek and surrounding natural areas to ensure they remain safe and clean, which may include power washing, basic water maintenance, and coordinating safety measures when needed. 

Work outdoors regularly and comfortably in a variety of weather conditions while modeling stewardship of the land. 

Community Engagement and Programming 

Plan and coordinate community events, volunteer days, and educational programs in the therapeutic garden that promote wellness, cultural connection, and environmental stewardship. 

Inspire participation by encouraging El Futuro’s clients, families, staff, neighbors, and volunteers to get involved in gardening and the care of the green space. 

Develop partnerships and programming that connect mental health, nature, and environmental education, with a focus on culturally responsive approaches. 

Promote awareness of El Futuro’s mental health and environment initiative, fostering social connection, cultural celebrations, and belonging, particularly within the Latino community. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EL FUTURO STAFF: 

Participate in meetings and organizational related activities as directed by the supervisor, which may include All Staff Meeting, Individual Supervision, participation on a committee, or other activities. 

Play an active role in the continued development of El Futuro’s work via participation in fundraising and other agency-wide activities.  

Engage in learning opportunities through “La Mesita,” El Futuro’s training platform and network of bilingual providers in North Carolina, or through other appropriate career development opportunities. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE  

Work or volunteer experience working in the community or similar experience as a natural helper.
 

Required: Bilingual fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English. 

Experience in community organizing and outreach, preferred. 

Experience working with the Latino community, preferred.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES 

Knowledge of or willingness to learn organic gardening practices.  

Strong communication skills and comfort interacting with a diverse array of people 

Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities while affording attention to detail and organization. 

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management systems. 

Ability to lift, bend, and carry up to 50 pounds.  

Alignment with El Futuro’s mission to nurture stronger familias to live out their dreams. 

Alignment with El Futuro’s values: Calor Humano, Trust, Resilience, Belonging, and Community. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Environment: Work is performed in-person, with a significant portion of the work performed outdoors, in various weather conditions. 

Assigned Work Site: Durham Office. 

Work Week: Monday through Friday, with regular weekend work required, typically two to three weekends per month; Friday 9:00am to 11:00am is required time for organization-wide and team meetings. 

Extra Time: May be required to work occasional evenings for programmatic events or attend staff meetings outside the regular schedule. 

Travel: occasional travel for light errands. 

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume. 

El Futuro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of any protected category. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.