Garden Educator

Grow Public Schools•Shafter, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Garden Educator is involved in teaching garden classes and is responsible for maintaining a year-round productive and educational organic garden. This role supports the Lead ESY Educator and involves hands-on teaching with elementary and middle school students, garden maintenance, and participation in various school events and programs.

Requirements

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
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

Nice To Haves

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