Garden Educator 

The Organic Gardener Ltd. 

Updated December 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 maintaining residential and non-residential gardens, are responsible for the gardens’ success, and provide exceptional customer service to clients. Garden Educators are outdoor professionals, working in all conditions to maintain the health and aesthetics of our organic edible gardens throughout Chicagoland and the North Shore area.

Our garden maintenance season runs from April through the end of November. Garden maintenance visits take place Monday - Saturday.  The hourly rate for Garden Educators starts at $20 per hour, or commensurate with experience. 

Garden Educator Tasks Include: 

• Garden Maintenance 

• • Perform tasks in all aspects of planting and maintaining organic edible gardens according to company protocol, 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 
  • Participate in leading groups in formal or informal education settings
  • Complete detailed garden visit records and input required follow up tasks 
  • Stock crew vehicles with plants, seeds, tools and supplies 
  • 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 with keeping company headquarters clean and organized 
  • Participate in regular staff meetings and field trainings 

• Communications 
  • Maintain consistent day-to-day communication with our Garden Team Manager and Garden Communications Manager 
  • Provide garden updates to clients (time of arrival, harvest updates, planting changes, etc.) and build client relationships through consistent communication
  • Communicate with members of the TOG team including: 
    • Greenhouse Manager about on-site transplants and plant/seed inventory 
    • Quality Control Manager about garden issues and client concerns
    • Learning Gardens Manager about educational clients’ programming

• Stay connected via company email and/or phone, respond to client and internal communications in a timely manner 

Ideal candidate will possess: 

• Passion for the seed-to-table and edible education movements 
• At least two seasons of gardening/farm work 
• Experience working with youth at camps or in schools
• Undergraduate degree in horticulture, botany, environmental studies, agricultural studies, environmental education, or relevant area is a plus but not required 
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to perform hands-on, outdoor physical work in all safe weather conditions
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Positive attitude, ability to receive guidance well, and willingness to be solutions-oriented 
• Availability in early mornings and on Saturdays, general flexibility with seasonal nature of job 
• Valid driver's license 
• Our HQ location is not easily accessible to public transportation. We encourage all applicants to have a personal vehicle to ensure that they can make it to work in a timely manner
• 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

Compensation and Benefits:

• Seasonal - April through end of November
• Starting rate: $20 per hour, or commensurate with experience
• PTO accrued through hours worked
• Health, dental, and life insurance available 
• Company provided phone 
• Fresh veggies to take home from our on-site garden!