Garden Educator

Position Summary:

The Garden Educator is a part-time position that offers support to students and the Santa Ana community to maximize the educational potential of the garden. The Garden Educator will teach K-12 students about growing and using traditional plants and vegetables and serve as a resource for information to community gardeners. Hours of service are seasonal but, generally during the after-school program 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Oversees and coordinates students’ hands-on experiences in the garden (planting, tending, harvesting and cooking.

Manage the greenhouse garden and garden boxes, plan and prepare for garden work activities, manage planting schedule, ensure availability of tools and other necessary materials.

Coordinate community garden events to bring students, families, and community members together.

Meet with the director/education program manager to discuss programming.

Plan, participate and evaluate indoor/outdoor activities.

Provide and maintain a safe environment for program participants.

Interacts and maintains a positive attitude and rapport with community, staff and children of the program.

Consults with Keres language tutor and other staff.

Assists staff with coordination of planned activities; determine materials needed for activities.

Always maintains professional conduct; wears appropriate clothing.

Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least 2-3 years of facilitation or teaching experience with youth,

(outdoor group management experience preferred)

Must enjoy working with children of all ages. Keres speaker preferred. Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation. Must possess and maintain current identification.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Certifications:

Knowledge of safety standards and practices.

Knowledge of educational resources, supplies, and materials used in age-appropriate activities.

Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with staff, community members, and

children.

Knowledge and skills in small-scale organic food production or home gardening.

Knowledge of or interest in topics including, land-based practices, traditional foods indigenous to the Rio Grande, botany, environmental science, health and nutrition, food systems, food access.

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

Strong communication skills, including public speaking skills.

Ability to work independently and be flexible.

Computer skills and project management skills.

Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbal and in writing with people of varying age groups and skill levels.

Ability to supervise, correct a group of children in a positive manner.

Ability to remain calm in challenging situations and respond quickly to emergencies.

Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes results as required.

Takes initiative to do work.

Must be willing to get certified in First Aid and CPR; food handlers

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job. the employee regularly is required to stand, sit, use hands and fingers to handle or feel’ and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision. Peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a variety of settings from office to outdoor environments and may include exposure to inclement weather. Nosie levels range from moderate to loud. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. There is frequent interactions with children, public and employees.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.40 - $18.48 per hour

Expected hours: 3 – 12 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Work Location: In person