Garden Educator Chester County Food Bank
- Date Posted June 30, 2020
- Location Exton, PA
- Category Agriculture / Education
- Job type Full-Time
The work of the Garden Educator supports the overall program goals to increase availability of fresh produce for food insecure households by supporting garden installations at partner organizations, providing community education on growing your own food and by fostering community around food and gardening.
The Garden Educator works with and reports to the Raised Bed Garden (RBG) Manager to support program operations on-site and at multiple garden and greenhouse locations. This position will provide direct support for the partner gardens and lead educational programs.
Essential Functions:
- Oversee seedling production for the RBG program (high tunnel, hydro-tank and raised bed crop seeding schedules); seeding, watering, potting up and monitoring for disease/pests.
- Host plant distribution days.
- Provide supervision and direction for volunteers, students and interns at greenhouses and gardens.
- Coordinate and lead educational programs for adults and youth, K-12.
- Assist with maintenance and management of the main garden sites.
- Coordinate with school gardens for in-garden planting days; provide material support, guidance on planting and harvesting and recommendations for troubleshooting garden issues.
- Lead build days at garden sites.
- Perform basic record keeping, including number of students engaged, volunteer hours, harvest records, garden progress and evaluation.
- Represent CCFB at public outreach events.
- Must work well with others, have a “can do” attitude and be part of the CCFB team.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- A minimum of 2 years of experience with organic growing practices and greenhouse propagation required.
- Bilingual – fluent in English and Spanish highly preferred.
- A degree in biological sciences or environmental education a plus.
- Season extension/high tunnel and hydroponic growing experience a plus.
- Demonstrated interest in community-based health, local food systems, small scale vegetable production and farm/garden-based education.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
- Experience leading educational programs for adults and youth, K-12.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to work independently.
- Punctual and reliable with the ability to work a flexible schedule.
- A valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle and a clean driving record required.
Work Schedule:
This is a full-time exempt, salaried position. It will regularly require evening and weekend work and hours in excess of 40 hours per week. Work schedule will be adjusted as needed to accommodate busy seasonal times.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift, adjust, push, pull, carry, and move heavy objects in all direction in excess of 40 pounds repeatedly and frequently.
- Ability to bend, stretch, twist, squat, and reach in all directions for extended periods of time – in excess of 8-10 hours a day depending on season.
- Able to support own body weight standing, kneeling, sitting, and walking for long periods of time on flat and uneven ground.
- Ability to use and operate forklift and electric pallet jack to move heavier objects. (Training provided)
- Ability to determine the distance between objects by measuring, seeing, judging, estimating.
- Must have full physical ability to grasp, assemble and move quickly and safely.
- Must have excellent hearing and vision for emergency situations.
- Communicating with others to exchange information, instructions and ideas by means of spoken words, typed or handwritten notes, forms and other work materials, use of a computer, laptop or other electronic device.