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current openings

green farmacy garden Lead

Job Title: Green Farmacy Garden Lead
Hours: 40 hours a week
Reports to: Nourishing Gardens Manager
Location: In-person, primarily at the Green Farmacy Garden, 8210 Murphy Road, Fulton MD.
Salary: $41,600 - $45,760 commensurate with experience
Application deadline: May 24, 2026

About the Community Ecology Institute:
The Community Ecology Institute (CEI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2016 with a mission to cultivate communities where people and nature thrive together. We achieve our mission by providing equitable and intergenerational experiential education that leads to intersecting health and environmental benefits. CEI’s work focuses on tangible, community-level changes at the intersections of environment, education, equity, and health. Our Freetown Farm and Green Farmacy Garden sites are vibrant community hubs that host youth programs, volunteers, educational events, and food-growing initiatives year-round. We are seeking a Facilities Lead to help care for these spaces so they remain safe, functional, and welcoming for all. CEI is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply and welcome individuals who share our commitment to equity, community care, and environmental stewardship.

About the Green Farmacy Garden: 
The Green Farmacy Garden is a unique teaching garden highlighting plants with medicinal properties and the healing benefits of nature. The six-acre property features a unique native and non-native collection of plants traditionally used for herbal medicine, as well as, foraging areas and natural ecosystems. The purpose of the garden is to help people learn about the health benefits of plants while encouraging care for the environment and sustainable living.

Position Summary: 
The Green Farmacy Garden Lead is a full-time, hands-on role responsible for the care and maintenance of the gardens, volunteer and partner coordination, and on-site leadership, ensuring that garden activities are executed effectively, safely, and in alignment with CEI’s mission and programmatic goals. The ideal candidate will have a passion for plants, ecological stewardship, and education, with the ability to engage the community and foster a love of plants as well as human and environmental health. This role is ideal for a skilled, self-directed practitioner who enjoys working outdoors, coordinating people and systems, and translating plans into action. The Green Farmacy Garden Lead works closely with the Nourishing Gardens Manager and other CEI staff but does not hold primary responsibility for staff supervision, budgeting, or organizational strategy.

Key Responsibilities:
Gardening and Property Care (70%)
  • Oversee the care, cultivation, and maintenance of the medicinal terrace gardens, ensuring that all plants are properly tended to, including seasonal planting, weeding, harvesting, and pruning.
  • Monitor the health and growth of plants, and implement sustainable gardening practices.
  • Develop and maintain planting schedules, garden maps, and plant information to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information.
  • Maintain garden tools, equipment, and structures, ensuring they are safe and in good working order.
  • Train garden support staff and volunteers to take care of basic garden maintenance needs such as weeding common invasive species. 

Community Education and Property Leadership (25%)
  • Lead community experiential education programs in line with CEI’s mission, vision, and curriculum, primarily focused on herbal medicine, foraging, sustainable gardening, and ecological stewardship.
  • Host local organization, school, and other community groups for tours, workshops, and support property rentals.
  • Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and educational environment where participants feel empowered to explore the natural world and learn sustainable practices.
  • Represent CEI positively and professionally during on-site programs, tours, and community engagement activities.

Organizational Collaboration (5%)
  • Coordinate closely with CEI program staff to ensure cross-programatic collaboration, marketing, and volunteer needs are met.
  • Participate in CEI staff meetings, trainings, and communications. 
  • Support grant-funded activities and data collection related to garden operations as requested (implementation-focused, not grant writing).
  • Communicate plans and funding needs clearly to ensure garden needs are met.

Qualifications:​
  • Preference for associate’s/bachelor’s degree or equal experience in a related field. 
  • Hands-on gardening experience, preferably working with medicinal plants, foraging, and/or native landscapes.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks in a seasonal, outdoor work environment.
  • Experience working with volunteers, interns, or community groups.
  • Experience leading community experiential education workshops connected to the priorities of the Green Farmacy Garden.
  • Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered environmental work.
  • Ability to work year round outdoors in a range of weather conditions and frequently lift materials over 40 lbs.
  • Valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and reliable transportation.

Work Schedule and Compensation:
  • This is a full-time, salaried position with a pay range of $41,600 - $45,760 commensurate with experience and qualifications. This range reflects the expected responsibilities of the role and CEI’s commitment to pay equity and transparency.
  • Flexibility to work Saturdays during busy gardening seasons (April - June and September - October).

Benefits:
  • Time off: full-time employees earn over five weeks of flexible paid time off and floating holidays in their first year of employment. 
  • Retirement: after three months of employment, full-time employees are able to enroll in our 401k retirement program, which includes a 3% employer match.
  • Health insurance: after three months of employment this position is eligible for health insurance coverage through CEI and the ability to buy into dental and vision coverage.

Application & Interview Process: 
To apply, please complete our application form, including uploading a cover letter and current resume, by May 24, 2026.

If you need to make any changes to your application or share an updated version of your cover letter and resume, email our Nourishing Gardens Manager, Loni Cohen, at  [email protected].

Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview, with the goal of having the successful candidate begin mid-June.