Garden Ranger EnrichLA
- Date Posted May 14, 2018
- Location Los Angeles, CA
- Category Education / Nonprofit
- Job type Part-Time
EnrichLA is a community wellness non-profit organization that works to enrich the health and education of K-12 public school students by building organic, environmentally responsible gardens on school campuses within Los Angeles County. Focusing on schools found in low-income and under-served neighborhoods, our school gardens are inexpensive, promote community involvement, encourage respect for our delicate planet, act as outdoor classrooms, cheer up school campuses, help students build a good work ethic, and promote thoughtful and healthy eating habits. Since 2011, EnrichLA has built over 100 gardens throughout Los Angeles and offers a weekly educational Garden Ranger Program at 80 of those schools.
Job descriptionGarden Ranger Position
EnrichLA is a community wellness non-profit organization that brings edible school gardens to local public schools, focusing on low-income and underserved neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The school garden movement is growing and we are looking for energetic, passionate, and knowledgeable individuals to join our fast-paced team!
The Garden Ranger is an educator and a gardener at up to five school sites in Los Angeles. S/he serves at each school for four hours a week and works with students of all grades. S/he acts as the school’s garden manager and teacher, works with the school site administration, and helps develop lesson plans to maintain an educational garden. S/he maintains the garden throughout the duration of the school year. The Garden Ranger reports to the Program Director.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Teaching
- Hold weekly classes at the time agreed upon at each school, rain (indoors) or shine
- Guide students in general maintenance of the garden with focus on composting, planting, and cultivation
- Mentor students in and out of class, model respect and curiosity for learning, and encourage students’ interests and talents
Lesson Development and Documentation
- Supplement the EnrichLA curriculum in creative ways that engage students in active learning in the outdoor classroom that is the garden.
- Keep track of garden growth and necessity for garden improvements
- Take pictures of garden classes and garden development to contribute to the EnrichLA online blog
Garden
- Maintain a healthy and bountiful garden through seed starting, composting, maintaining soil fertility, pruning, irrigation, organic pest and disease management, successive planting, and planting with seasons
- Spend at least one hour of garden maintenance time per week at each school site
Communication and Outreach
- Write one blog post per site with two or more pictures every other week, at minimum.
- Respond to emails and texts from EnrichLA administration within 2 days.
- Organize on-campus garden related events like fundraising farm stands, garden clubs and parent workshops where possible
- Maintain healthy relationships with EnrichLA staff, school community, and EnrichLA affiliates
Requirements:
- Applicants are required to undergo a 6-week unpaid introductory internship before being offered a Garden Ranger position.
- Bachelor’s degree or be in the process of acquiring a degree
- Commitment for the 2017-2018 school year
- 1+ year experience working with youth in any educational setting
- Experience working in and maintaining an organic garden
- Ability to lift 50 lbs
- Self-directed, energetic and enthusiastic
- Submit and pass TB Test and *background check (*Reimbursable)
- Access to reliable transportation
Desired Experience:
- UCCE Master Gardener Certification (not required)
- Leading volunteers in any work setting
- Classroom management skills
Compensation:
- This is a paid part-time position
- Applicants will fill out a 1099 Tax Form as independent contractors.