Job description

Company Description
The Kitchen Community (TKC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, creates community through food by building Learning Gardens in schools and community centers. Learning Gardens are attractive vegetable gardens that serve as dynamic outdoor classrooms and experiential play spaces. They connect communities to real food by giving teachers, students and their families the experience of growing it themselves.  Learn more at www.thekitchencommunity.org

Position Description
The Garden Educator’s primary responsibility is to build and maintain relationships between schools and their surrounding communities, which will increase TKC’s parent and community involvement in Learning Gardens. This position will work closely with the Regional Education Team to identify schools and neighborhoods, and link them to resources in those communities that will support Learning Gardens.  This Garden Educator will work closely with school administration and staff to recruit, train, and engage parents in the Learning Garden.
Additionally, this Garden Educator will work with TKC’s Education Team to support school Garden Teams to ensure they have the skills, materials, personnel and confidence to successfully grow vegetables and teach in their Learning Garden. This will include running teacher professional development workshops, Garden Team meetings, and Learning Garden installation and planting days. Garden Educators report to the Regional Education Manager.  Garden Educators serve as the main point of contact for all schools with Learning Gardens and can expect to work intimately with up to 35 gardens at a time while continually building strong relationships with all the Learning Garden Schools in the region.

Education Team Responsibilities

• Work with Education Team to achieve seasonal goals.
• Coordinate and lead site-specific events (workshops, trainings, planting days, activities) with diverse populations of teachers, parents, community members, and/or students.
• Assist schools in developing individual garden plans and solving specific gardening issues.
• Work with Regional Education Team to facilitate seasonal workshops and teacher trainings for all Learning Garden Schools.
• Co-lead Learning Garden installations at new schools.
• Communicate with the Regional Team to evaluate Learning Gardens; prioritize organizational efforts to promote community through food in all Learning Gardens.

Outreach Responsibilities

• Create systems/processes for developing and maintaining relationships with community partners and parents at Learning Garden  schools.
  • Work closely and partner with school support staff and community entities to support on-site programming including garden work days, workshops, and trainings.
  • Lead parent and community volunteer trainings, orientations, and workshops on gardening, nutrition, and healthy eating.
• Explore and facilitate partnerships between schools and community organizations.

• Identify monthly garden needs, resources, and to do’s and communicate to schools through in-person meetings, email, phone calls, and workshops.
  • Assist schools in developing individual garden plans and solving specific gardening issues. Source and develop gardening-related information sheets and resources.
  • Assist in sourcing and purchasing seeds and seedlings, compost and gardening supplies for all regional Learning Gardens.
  • Train schools on gardening and maintenance techniques. Review and share garden-related resources with schools (print and web based).

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor degree in related field.
• Preferred bilingual (Spanish and English).
• Preferred experience in the community development field.
• Experience working with children and/or adults in an educational setting.
• Preferred volunteer coordination and management skills.
• Experience in leading hands-on garden demos.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in small-scale organic food production or home gardening.
• Knowledge of or interest in topics including urban gardening, botany, environmental science, health and nutrition, environmental and social justice, food systems, and food access.
• Preferred Master Gardener Certificate.
• Required access to a vehicle with light hauling capacity.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and kneel or stoop for extended periods of time.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations including youth and adults.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking skills.
• Ability to work independently and be flexible.
• Ability to multi-task and coordinate several major activities at once.
• Proficient computer and project management skills.

Salary commensurate with experience.
To apply please send resume and cover letter to Sam Koentopp at sam@tkc.org. Please put Garden Educator, Outreach in the subject line.

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline