School Gardens Maintenance Specialist

Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Springfield Public Schools is seeking an experienced School Garden Technician to support garden installations, maintenance, and materials handling across district sites. You will work closely with educators and the School Gardens Teacher to ensure thriving outdoor classrooms and healthy crops.

The role requires physical gardening work in all weather, the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and reliable attendance. A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle are required to reach multiple campuses.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years gardening/related experience required.
• Plant and gardening knowledge across vegetables, fruits, and native plants.
• Associate degree preferred or equivalent 3 years of related experience.
• Highly organized with reliable attendance.
• Effective communication with educators and students.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work outdoors in various weather.
• Valid driver’s license and own transportation; ability to drive industrial van and dump truck.
• Proficiency with email and internet.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Director of Science, District ILSs, School Gardens Teacher, and educators.
• Assist with garden installations, care, and maintenance across SPS.
• Operate the Science Resource Center with Director of Science and District ILSs.
• Receive, inspect, store, and deliver garden/science materials.
• Weed, mulch, dig, rake, and shovel tasks across sites.
• Prune fruit trees and manage planting, transplanting, and composting.
• Maintain inventory and communicate needs to School Gardens Teacher.
• Ensure orderly storage of materials and cooperate with school administrators.
• Work with staff across diverse environments and participate in other duties as assigned.

Skills

Gardening experience

Plant knowledge

Organized

Communication

Team player

Lift 50 lbs

Outdoor work

Education

Associate degree preferred

3+ years related experience

Job description

Job Duties

• Works collaboratively with the Director of Science, District ILSs, School Gardens Teacher, other educators, and School Garden Champions.
• In conjunction with the School Garden Teacher, responsible for garden installations, care, and maintenance across SPS.
• Work with the Director of Science and the District Science ILSs in the operation of the Science Resource Center.
• Gardening requires bending, crouching, crawling, reaching, lifting (sometimes up to 50 pounds), walking, kneeling, standing, exerting force with legs and arms, pushing, pulling, and other physically demanding activities.
• Receive, inspect, store, and deliver garden/science materials.
• Responsible for weeding, mulching, digging, raking, and shoveling.
• Responsible for pruning fruit trees.
• Responsible for planting, transplanting, dividing, and composting.
• Work in all types of weather, and exposure to the outdoor elements is required.
• Keep track of inventory and communicate need to School Gardens Teacher.
• Maintain the orderly storage of materials.
• Work in cooperation with the school site administrators.
• Cooperatively work with educators and other staff members.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 1-2 years of experience in gardening, horticulture, or agriculture.
• Plant and gardening knowledge (vegetable, fruit, and native plants) required.
• Relevant associates degree preferred, or educational requirement may be substituted for at least 3 years of experience in relevant field.
• Highly organized.
• Demonstrates effective and reliable work habits, including regular and punctual attendance, and shows a willingness to learn new work skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with educators and students in a friendly and supportive manner.
• Ability to work as an effective team member in a diverse educational, multicultural environment.
• Ability to perform duties and responsibilities independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to be outdoors physically working in the elements.
• Skill and ability to access email and the internet.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and use of own transportation is required.
• Ability to drive industrial van and dump truck required.

"If you BELIEVE, we have a place for YOU on our team! Come work for us!"

Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that opens the doors of infinite possibilities to our amazing students and staff. We strive to equip each of our approximately 24,000 students with learning experiences that enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills. We are the 3rd largest district in Massachusetts. Our district has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff. We foster a positive and professional environment in our schools and worksites where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen and heard. Our students and staff share their ideas and perspectives, learning from and appreciating each other. We are a district that is committed to equity and excellence.

Join a team that Empowers Educators

In addition to offering competitive salaries and benefits, we provide numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff. We let our data shape the professional development of the district, therefore, it is relevant and actionable. We support our teaching staff with mentors such as instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches to work with them throughout the year in lesson planning, data analysis and management. Our district offers career advancement opportunities and is invested in “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs. These programs help our staff achieve a college degree or lead to certification pathways.

If there is something that you would like to know specifically about the position that you are applying for or assistance with matching your skills to a position, Carmen Molina‑Figueroa will be happy to assist you at [e-mail].

NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator, [e-mail], the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Jeremy Saint Laurent, Chief Legal Counsel in Legal Services, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55325, [e-mail].

Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to [e-mail]