Company description

Job description

GARDEN TEACHER
20+ Hours Per Week M-F
August 14, 2017 through June 8, 2018

The Garden Teacher (GT) is an educator, a gardener, a advocate and a community ambassador at all PVSG restaurant and school garden sites in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. S/he serves at each location as the key liaison between PVSG and the campus Garden Chair/Adminstration. Additional to teaching the garden lessons the GT is a school garden site manager in collaboration with the leadership team in planning harvests, maintenance and seasonal plantings of all assigned school sites. S/he supports the organization of school-wide volunteer workdays, creates garden signage and participates in community fundraising opportunities including farm stands and workshops. S/he also participates in the development of PVSG restaurant menu specials, community fundraisers and relevant lesson plans to help maintain the PVSG educational program. We are looking for garden teachers who are upbeat, engaging and comfortable working with elementary to high school aged youth. PVSG is seeking flexible, self directed problem solvers with the ability to lead the efforts of earth stewardship through hands on learning in a garden environment.

Duties include but are not limited to:

School Garden
Teach weekly garden classes at the time agreed upon at each assigned school, rain (indoors) or shine.
Oversee Farm Apprentices and Garden Interns in the maintenance of all assigned PVSG Edible School Gardens, provide guidance on compost, mulch, cultivation and harvest and lead in the development of garden related skills
Maintain healthy and bountiful gardens at every assigned PVSG campus through seed starting, composting, maintaining soil fertility, pruning, irrigation, organic pest and disease management, successive planting, and planting for the seasons
Collaborate with Garden Director, Farm Apprentice, Garden Interns and Community Partnership Coordinator in all aspects of garden bed preparation for student planting in the fall and spring including plans for removing old plants, amending soil and anticipating garden produce to be used in tasting lessons
Organize and coordinate school-wide garden volunteer work days in collaboration with Garden Director/Community Partnership Coordinator, Garden Chair and Principal
Supplement the PVSG curriculum in creative ways that engage students in active learning including but not limited to using educational plant markers, creating garden signage and posting a list of jobs to do in the garden in collaboration with Education Director
Enrich our efforts to support and expand our Sister School garden program involvement in underserved areas adjacent to the Palos Verdes Peninsula community

Restaurant Garden Partnership
Oversee the health and aesthetic of assigned PVSG Community Partnership Restaurant Gardens weekly.
Maintain a healthy and bountiful garden at every assigned PVSG restaurant through seed starting, maintaining soil fertility, pruning, irrigation, organic pest and disease management, successive planting, and planting for the seasons
Develop restaurant garden seasonal menu specials, community fundraisers and food/garden workshops in collaboration with Restaurant Chef/Manager, Garden Director, Development Director, Community Partnership Coordinator and Farm Apprentices

Communication and Outreach
Write one blog/social media post per site with two or more pictures per week in collaboration with Communications Director
Organize on-campus garden related events in collaboration with Garden Director, Community Partnership Director, Garden Chair, Garden Docents and Principal such as garden fundraisers, farm stands, garden clubs and parent/student workshops
Represent PVSG as an edible education advocate and community ambassador in the greater Los Angeles area and beyond
Document garden growth and necessity for garden improvements with weekly photos and written updates to Garden Director and/or Community Partnership Director to contribute to a PVSG online blog/social media post in collaboration with Farm Apprentices and Garden Teachers

Candidate Requirements:

• 4 year degree or 2 year associate degree or certification in horticulture, agriculture, urban farming, permaculture or related field
• Experience growing and maintaining edible gardens
• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of organic, sustainable/regenerative, Bio-intensive and permaculture practices
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Working knowledge of irrigation systems especially drip irrigation and ability to perform minor repairs or interest in training for this skill
• Ability to perform physical work in varying conditions and move heavy items from time to time
• Working knowledge of basic office software such as Word and Excel
• Must be able to utilize email and access the internet for weekly updates
• Current CA driver’s license and auto insurance
• Vehicle in good operating condition and capable of transporting small loads of plants and materials
• Contract as a 1099 independent contractor
• Ability to attend outside professional development courses to build skill base
• Self-directed, energetic and enthusiastic team player
• Strong communication, organization and time management skills
• Submit and pass TB Test and background check (Reimbursable)
• Pass ServSafe.com CA Food Handler Certification (Reimbursable)

Other Desired Experience:

• UCCE Master Gardener Certification
• Leading volunteers/students in any work setting
• Food and nutrition experience
• Strong interest in learning new skills and sharing those skills in a leadership capacity
• Ability to create chalkboard artwork and painted signage if given a template

Compensation:

• Garden Teacher will be contracted at a flat contract rate per school year payable in 9 equal monthly installments, plus reimbursable expenses
• Contract rate subject to experience and qualifications
• Applicants will complete a W-9 Tax Form and receive an IRS 1099 as independent contractor annually

Compensation

this position is: contract

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline