Company description

Community Soil Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises awareness about practices and methods of regenerative farming and gardening including the benefits to individual, communal, and ecological health. Our mission is to cultivate the wellness of Sonoma County communities by offering land-based education, creating access to organic produce, and regenerating habitat and natural resources.

Job description

Position Description: 

Community Soil Foundation’s School Garden Educator will primarily be responsible for delivering garden-based education to students of Mark West Elementary in grades 2-5. The Educator will deliver lessons in the Larkfield Community Garden and Learning Center, combining environmental science education with hands-on activities like planting, tending, harvesting, and cooking. The School Garden Educator collaborates with Community Soil Foundation’s co-founders and Garden Manager to build involvement in and commitment to the garden within the school community, which includes teachers, administrators, students, families, and other youth service providers.  

 

School Garden Educator wage is $20 to $25/hour for 25 hours per week (3 weekdays in the garden during the school year, occasional weekend work days, and summer program work.)  

 

Job Responsibilities:

Garden Education

• Co-manage the school garden education program, including curriculum development centering organic gardening, ecoliteracy, ecology, and nutrition/cooking 

• Create individual lesson plans to meet the needs of the various student demographics, grade levels, and classroom dynamics while aiming to align with NGSS standards

• Prepare for classes by gathering supplies and materials for each lesson plan

• Deliver 8 garden-based education lessons per week 

• Collaborate with Mark West teachers to create lessons that are supportive of class learning goals

Administration

• Participate in monthly staff meetings, which include professional reports, collaborative planning, and group goal-setting

• Oversee expenditures in accordance with program budgets

• Monitor, document, and report on all activities and extent of student and teacher participation to Garden Manager

Outreach 

• Create an outdoor classroom environment with environmental learning centers

• Build and maintain relationships with classroom teachers, school administrators, program partners, and constituents in support of program activities

 

Required Skills and Experience:

• At least 2-3 years of facilitation or teaching experience with youth aged 5 - 11. Outdoor education experience is required. 

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations, including youth and adults.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred.

• Capable of working in a dynamic outdoor environment, able to lift 25 pounds from floor to table height, willing and able to work in all weather conditions. 

 

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of and/or skills in the following: environmental science, health and nutrition, food systems, food access, botany, resource conservation, cooking, urban schools, and social justice.

• Familiarity with the following : Permaculture, 4-season food production, California Native Plants and Ecology, Plant Propagation, Organic Pest Management. 

• Bilingual in Spanish and bi-cultural preferred.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking skills.

• Strong skills in interpersonal communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. 

• Ability to work independently, be flexible, strive for excellence, and think creatively.

• Social media, computer and project management skills.

 

 

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

December 23, 2023