Garden Educator 

The Organic Gardener Ltd. 

Updated May 2022

Our approach is rooted in the idea that anyone, anywhere, can grow their own food. Each TOG project connects us to the larger good food movement growing throughout the nation! 

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Garden Educators act as “point people” for a roster of residential and non-residential gardens, are invested in the gardens’ success, and are encouraged to cultivate relationships with the clients. Garden Educators are outdoor professionals, working in all conditions to maintain the health and aesthetics of our organic edible gardens while positively interacting with the clients. 

Our garden maintenance season runs from March through the end of November. The hourly rate for Garden Educators starts at $20 per hour, or commensurate with experience. 

Garden Educator Tasks May Include: 

• Garden Maintenance: 

• • Perform tasks in all aspects of planting and maintaining organic edible gardens, including: transplanting, seeding, thinning, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, harvesting, deadheading, grooming, and edging 
  • Perform tasks related to integrated pest and disease management, including: scouting, hand-picking, treating, and troubleshooting 
  • Work and teach hands-on with clients of all ages in the gardens 
  • Lead groups in formal or informal education settings
  • Complete detailed garden visit records and input required follow up tasks 
  • Stock crew vehicles with plants, seeds, and supplies 
  • Assist with tool and supply inventory 
  • Keep crew vehicles tidy before, during, and after garden shifts 
  • Drive crew vehicles between company headquarters in Northbrook and garden sites in Chicago area and suburbs
  • Assist team to keep headquarters clean and organized 
  • Assist our Greenhouse Manager with on-site transplants and plant/seed inventory 
  • Aid in garden layout/design 
  • Participate in bi-weekly field trainings 

• Communications 
  • Maintain consistent day-to-day communication with our Garden Communications Coordinator (GCC) 
  • Communicate garden issues and client concerns internally to GCC in a timely manner
  • Communicate garden specific information directly to clients (harvest updates, planting changes, etc.) 
  • Conduct review meetings with clients to obtain crop lists, feedback, and suggestions 
  • Conduct client consultations for new projects or additional garden features 
  • Direct inquiries about TOG services to administrative team, encourage new sales with use of brochures/business cards and word of mouth 
  • Stay connected via company email and/or phone, respond to client and internal communications in a timely manner 

• Work as a team to ensure garden success and client satisfaction 
  • Assist with all aspects of TOG’s needs and work collaboratively with all teams including administrative and executive 
  • Follow all maintenance protocols, attend bi-weekly trainings, and attend crew member meetings 
  • Support a professional, safe, collaborative team environment for the Garden Educator team 

Ideal candidate will possess: 

• At least two seasons of gardening/farm work 
• Undergraduate degree in horticulture, botany, environmental studies, agricultural studies, environmental education, or relevant area is a plus but not required 
• Experience working with youth at schools or camps
• Passion for the seed-to-table and edible education movements 
• Strong communication skills
• Interest in hands-on, outdoors physical work 
• Ability to take direction and guidance well 
• Willingness to be solutions-oriented 
• Availability in early mornings and on Saturdays, general flexibility with seasonal nature of job 
• Valid driver's license 
• Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law.