Garden Educator

Grow Public Schools; Shafter (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Grow Public Schools is seeking a Garden Educator to lead year-round garden activities and support garden classes for elementary and middle school students. You will cultivate an educational organic garden, coordinate with kitchen staff, and help run seasonal camps and ESY programs.

The role focuses on soil health, crops, and hands-on garden activities, with collaboration across staff. Previous gardening experience and a related degree are preferred, and the position is on-site at school

Qualifications

• Gardening experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Background in agriculture, horticulture, liberal arts, education or related fields preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintains garden as stated in the garden handbook.
• Maintains garden at a level that ensures ample produce to the Kitchen classroom.
• Under the direction of the Lead Garden Educator, facilitates small group rotations in all garden classes, guiding students through age appropriate activities on various garden skills such as propagation, harvesting, cultivation, composting, greenhouse production, and maintenance of the garden.
• Provides feedback on the design of grade-appropriate garden activities
• Assists with soil fertility, composting, garden planning, seed supply, pruning, irrigation, pest and disease management and small-scale chicken husbandry
• Maintains garden records
• Helps maintain garden equipment
• Maintains communication with kitchen staff about garden production and available produce.
• Assists in planning and executing events at fall, winter, and summer camps and seasonal events throughout the school year
• Other related duties as assigned
• All Garden Staff Will: Support the Lead Garden instructor in all aspects of the daily lessons
• Participate in ESY camps throughout the year including fall, winter, and summer camp
• Maintain garden facilities, equipment and inventory including tool shed, chicken coop, greenhouse and all hand tools
• Support as needed in the kitchen
• Participate in all staff meetings, garden walk throughs, and professional development days

Skills

Gardening experience

Experience with students

Strong gardening knowledge

Team collaboration

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Background in agriculture/horticulture/education

Job description

Garden Educator

Year-Round, Hourly

Reports to: Lead ESY Educator

Position Summary:

The Garden Educator is involved in teaching garden classes and is responsible for maintaining a year-round productive and educational organic garden.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains garden as stated in the garden handbook
• Maintains garden at a level that ensures ample produce to the Kitchen classroom.
• Under the direction of the Lead Garden Educator, facilitates small group rotations in all garden classes, guiding students through age appropriate activities on various garden skills such as propagation, harvesting, cultivation, composting, greenhouse production, and maintenance of the garden.
• Provides feedback on the design of grade-appropriate garden activities
• Assists with soil fertility, composting, garden planning, seed supply, pruning, irrigation, pest and disease management and small-scale chicken husbandry
• Maintains garden records
• Helps maintain garden equipment
• Maintains communication with kitchen staff about garden production and available produce.
• Assists in planning and executing events at fall, winter, and summer camps and seasonal events throughout the school year
• Other related duties as assigned

All Garden Staff Will:

• Support the Lead Garden instructor in all aspects of the daily lessons
• Participate in ESY camps throughout the year including fall, winter, and summer camp
• Maintain garden facilities, equipment and inventory including tool shed, chicken coop, greenhouse and all hand tools
• Support as needed in the kitchen
• Participate in all staff meetings, garden walk throughs, and professional development days

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to work with elementary and middle school students in an educational environment
• Ability to maintain order and safe working practices in a garden and kitchen setting with young students
• Strong knowledge of the principles of gardening
• Ability to interact positively and effectively with a variety of constituents including students, co-workers, parents, and teachers
• Ability to work collaboratively

Education and Experience:

• Gardening experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Background in agriculture, horticulture, liberal arts, education or related fields preferred

Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work safely in summer weather (100° +)
• Ability to stand, stoop, reach, and bend
• Ability to stand for long periods
• Ability to lift, push and/or pull objects (up to approximately 50 pounds)
• Ability to read small print
• Ability to work with and in the proximity of equipment with moving mechanical parts
• Ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding environment
• Ability to smell, taste and feel to determine the quality of raw food products
• Ability to work around loud noise