This job expired on August 09, 2019
Garden Educator Big Green
- Date Posted June 10, 2019
- Location Memphis, TN
- Category Education / Nonprofit
- Job type Full-Time
Company description
At Big Green, collaboration and community are fundamental to our success. We create a healthier future for kids by connecting them to real food through a nationwide network of Learning Gardens and food literacy programs in schools. In Memphis, we have built 128 Learning Gardens and will be expanding to 143 in the 2019 - 2020 school year. Nationwide, Big Green currently serves over 588 schools across 48 districts and seven states – and we’re growing! Learn more about our work at https://biggreen.org/.
Job description
The Garden Educator works within Big Green’s Program Team as the primary point of contact for local schools with Learning Gardens. They develop strong working relationships with school administration, teachers and community members. Garden Educators support their schools’ Garden Teams by empowering teachers and students with skills to successfully grow vegetables, and the confidence to activate the Learning Garden as an outdoor classroom.
Garden Educators schedule and lead planting and harvesting days at schools, facilitate professional development workshops and guide Garden Team meetings. In addition to substantial email communication to coordinate with schools, Garden Educators also help with record keeping and administrative functions to develop, implement, and evaluate Big Green programming in Memphis.
The Garden Educator position job responsibilities include about 50% of programming activities taking place in the field at schools, and 50% in the office focused on administration, development, implementation, and evaluation of Big Green’s programming in Memphis. Big Green provides training, resources, and a collaborative environment to assist the Garden Educators in their work. Successful Garden Educator candidates are team-focused, self-motivated, adaptable, detail-oriented, professional, welcoming, highly organized, able to embrace uncertainty, interested in creating brave and fun spaces for learning, and disciplined in working through challenges. Individuals who are committed to working for food and social justice are encouraged to apply. Garden Educators report to the Regional Program Manager.
Big Green offers a competitive benefits package.
Compensation
this position is : salaried
Application instructions
Position Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with Regional Program Team to achieve defined regional goals and prioritize efforts to drive social impact in all Learning Gardens.
- Build relationships and maintain ongoing communication via email, phone and in-person meetings with teachers, principals, administrators, other school staff, volunteers and parents at +/- 25 local schools.
- Administer Big Green’s gardening and food literacy-based programming and services for diverse populations of teachers, parents, community members and students at schools with Learning Gardens:
- All programmatic elements for the installation of new Learning Gardens
- Planting and harvest days at schools with Learning Gardens
- Professional development workshops covering gardening skills, garden-based curriculum, harvesting techniques, cooking demos, and recipes
- Support integration of the Learning Garden into teachers’ instructional plans
- Work with regional and national Program Team members to implement, develop and evaluate Learning Garden programming in region.
- Represent Big Green through tabling, presentations, and facilitating activities at schools and community events.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor’s degree
- Excellent teamwork skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking
- Strong planning and organizational skills. Interest in and ability to multi-task and coordinate several major activities simultaneously
- Proficient in various computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, email communication, and/or ability to learn new systems quickly
- Experience working in urban agriculture and/or farming
- Experience and ability to work with diverse populations, including youth and adults
- Understanding of cultural competency and social context regarding individuals’ relationships with food
- Knowledge of topics including urban agriculture, botany, horticulture, environmental science, health & nutrition, environmental & social justice, food systems, and food access
- Access to a vehicle with light hauling capacity (sedans and small vehicles are acceptable) and a valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to speak conversational Spanish
- Formal or informal teaching experience
- Experience in the education and/or community development fields
- Experience with nutrition education, healthy cooking and/or food prep, etc.
- Familiarity with data management software
Physical Requirements
- Occasionally lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds
- Occasionally reach and grasp with arms and hands
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather
Big Green offers a competitive benefits package.
This job expired on August 09, 2019
DeadlineJuly 12, 2019