Garden Program Coordinator

Aspire Public Schools • East Palo Alto, CA

7d • $28 - $51 • Onsite

About The Position

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college-preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that persist in our communities—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers, and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
JOB SUMMARY
The Garden Program Coordinator supports the implementation of a school-based garden program for students in grades K–8. This role assists teachers and staff in delivering hands-on, garden-based learning experiences, maintaining the garden space, and fostering students' love of nature, sustainability, and healthy eating. The Coordinator works under the supervision of the school site administrator and oversees the operations and maintenance of the school garden, as well as coordinating community involvement in the garden.

Requirements

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a positive way with students, parents, and community members
• Ability to physically maintain the garden.
• Ability to work with vendors, parents, and other school site co-workers.
• Ability to provide leadership that assures student and volunteer safety.
• Clear the Department of Justice background screening
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Provide health (TB) clearance (renewed every four years)

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture, or Nutrition, preferred
• Prior experience with garden management, program coordination, and working with students

Responsibilities

• Implement garden-based science/nutrition education for students
• In conjunction with teachers at school, coordinate the garden program curriculum so the garden class complements what is being done in the classroom, including assessments, and material preparation
• Facilitate family and community involvement in the garden, including hosting volunteer events and work days
• Coordinate parent volunteers
• Responsible for garden maintenance, including weeding, harvesting, planting, pruning, etc.
• Collaborate with teammates on interdisciplinary projects
• Order supplies for maintaining the garden and for the classes
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements, including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Benefits

• Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being!
• In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees