Green Plate Special's (GPS) mission is to inspire and empower youth through gardening, cooking, and sharing food. We engage 4th-8th graders (ages 9-14) year-round through hands-on classes and workshops offered during school and after school and through camp programs that take place at our quarter-acre teaching garden and kitchen in north Rainier Valley, an ethnically diverse area of predominantly low-income neighborhoods.
 

Our goals are to provide:

• ACCESS TO FOOD: the opportunity to experience food through the process of growing, harvesting and tending, with their own hands; teaching youth to prepare foods and laying the foundation for lifelong, healthy eating habits and self-sufficiency (life skills).

• ACCESS TO EDUCATION: engaging youth in informal nutrition, science and math education through our hands-on approach of experiential learning that is FUN and provides “aha” moments

• ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: the opportunity to learn about the environment through direct participation in sustainable agricultural practices. We connect cooking and eating to planting, tending and harvesting these foods. Youth understand the importance of caring for our environment because it connects directly to their stomach!

• TEAM AND COMMUNITY BUILDING: by engaging youth in open dialog and providing many opportunities for them to make choices and stretch their individual boundaries while collaborating with team members and supportive adults.

Green Plate Special (GPS) is a rapidly growing organization currently hiring a support team for our garden to table youth programming (ages 9-14). This part-time position is an excellent opportunity for an early-career food education professional to join a fast-paced team committed to inspiring young people to experience food in new ways. Based at GPS’s 30,000 square foot garden and teaching kitchen in the Rainier Valley neighborhood as well as on-site at the multiple schools we serve; you will join a small team with big ambitions!

Mission and Programs

To inspire and empower youth through gardening, cooking and sharing food. GPS works with youth ages 9-14 to foster interest and passion in food growing, cooking and healthy eating. Nutrition, culinary and environmental science, life skills and community building are the pillars of our program. The youth, families, and program partners we serve come from very diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
 

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Education Director, you will be part of a team of education assistants and volunteers, leading students in small teams through hands-on and curriculum-based, food growing and cooking sessions, camps and field trips both on-site (GPS property) and off-site (partnering schools). In addition, the Program Educator will provide support in the kitchen and garden to maintain the health and proper organization of supplies and equipment. Set-up and clean-up in the kitchen, garden, and off-site, as well as caring for our flock of chickens, are also requirements. 

Over time, opportunities are available to lead lessons as well as opening and closing circles. Further, there is potential for seasonally based increase of hours and responsibilities, primarily during the summer months.
 

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and support to small groups of students (4th-8th grade) in gardening, cooking and team- building activities with guidance from the Education Director
• Fully preparing yourself for each session and program by reviewing agendas, teaching-points, garden outlines and recipes prior to each session, and arriving with questions and notes to discuss
• Before and after support in cooking, gardening and classroom prep and clean-up (includes chicken care support)
• Help to maintain and support partner school gardens

Qualifications

• Preferred: minimum of 4-year college degree with middle school education or environmental education focus
• At least 1-year of facilitation or teaching experience with youth ages 9-14
• Experience in or strong interest in organic urban farming or home gardening
• Experience in or strong interest in home cooking and recipe reading
• Experience in garden, kitchen, environmental curriculum building for middle school –highly desirable
• Schedule flexibility, since programs vary in times from mid-morning, mid-afternoon, some evenings and weekends
• 1-year commitment and increased availability for summer camp weeks (June-August) preferred

Background and Skills

• Ability to establish rapport, develop positive relationships, and lead the diverse group of youth we serve
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Outdoor group management

Other Requirements

• Must pass a Washington State and national criminal history check
• Must obtain a Washington State Food Handler’s card within 1 week following employment
• Must have reliable transportation to and from Green Plate Special

Schedule and Benefits

• 20 hours a week with potential to increase seasonally
• Schedule time and days vary depending on the program, some weekends and evenings are possible
• During most sessions a snack or meal will be shared with youth and adult leaders

Employment Policy

Green Plate Special is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Green Plate Special does not and will not discriminate based on race, sex, socio-economic status, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, religion, differences in ability, or military status in personnel operations. This includes hiring and firing of staff, recruitment and acceptance of board members, volunteers, or recruitment and acceptance of students. We are committed to creating a progressive, diverse, and inclusive environment for our staff, board members, volunteers, students, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

We strongly encourage people of color to apply.