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School Garden Educator

SEI
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Are you interested in teaching and using school gardens as a learning laboratory for elementary science education and environmental literacy? We are seeking emerging education professionals to join our Climate Corps Education Outside AmeriCorps cohort in the 2022-23 school year to do just that!  This is a full-time, 11.5-month fellowship based out of our Bay Area public school partner sites. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, during the school day. The position will start on August 22nd, 2022, and end on August 2nd, 2023. While this is a one-year commitment, we strive to maintain consistency for our school sites and prioritize applicants who can make a two-year commitment to their schools. This is an equal opportunity position and we strive to hire candidates who are rooted in Bay Area communities.

WHAT IS A GARDEN EDUCATOR?

In this fellowship you will be placed at an elementary school in the San Francisco Bay Area and serve as the garden educator for your site, teaching 10-16 garden lessons per week to students in grades K-5, helping students practice inquiry and connect them to the natural world.   You will also steward the garden classroom space while working to build strong relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, and identify and support needs in the school community.  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

  • Living stipend of $2,782.60 per month (pre-tax)
  • End of program Education Award - estimated $10,000 
  • Medical coverage at no cost
  • Child care supplemental support through AmeriCorps
  • Access to Member Assistance Program and mental health support resources
  • Over 100 hours of training provided for your professional development
  • Over 10 hours of structured mentorship

GARDEN EDUCATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Prepare for and teach multiple lessons per day to various grade levels, adapting the CCEO Curriculum library to help students practice science and inquiry and connect to the natural world. Coordinate harvesting, cooking, and eating in the garden with students.
  • Create a safe and positive outdoor classroom culture while developing site infrastructure to support learning outcomes set forth in both school and CCEO curriculum guidelines.
  • Build strong relationships with community members in order to serve the needs of the school and students
  • Spread awareness of the program and your work and seek out donations and grants to support the garden space.
  • Collaborate with teachers to integrate indoor and outdoor learning experiences; engage parent and community volunteers to support the garden. 
  • Support organizational data tracking by accurately collecting and inputting data related to volunteer engagement, grant seeking, and student attendance and participation in a timely fashion.
  • Plant and maintain the school garden throughout the school year and summer, collaborating with the school community for improvements. Purchase garden supplies and instructional materials using provided site budget.
  • Actively participate in regular training and professional development sessions and other program events.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent certificate, and be 17 years or older
  • Be negative for tuberculosis per school district requirements
  • Be able and willing to commit to the 11.5-month service term
  • Committed to Climate Corps Education Outside’s mission and vision
  • A commitment to social justice and anti-racism
  • The ability to thrive in an environment characterized by significant growth, ambiguity, and constant change
  • The ability to self-direct and juggle many tasks at once, fluidly shifting from one situation or task to another 
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Comfort speaking in front of students and working with groups
  • Be responsive to email, phone calls, and other means of communication
  • Access to reliable transportation

BONUS QUALIFICATIONS

  • College degree or equivalent experience
  • Be able and willing to commit to 2 consecutive service years at a school site
  • Experience teaching and working with groups of students (especially ages 5-12), particularly in outdoor settings 
  • Experience with gardening or farming
  • Experience prioritizing and managing projects

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

SEI requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with exceptions made for health and/or religious reasons upon discussion with our People Resources Department. This position requires prolonged activity with some bending, stooping, and stretching; eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate garden tools, a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with students as well as maintain data records. Also requires flexibility to adapt to a changing environment readily.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

We seek candidates that share SEI’s commitment to equity and environmental justice, who share a commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.  SEI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices.  

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of Wednesday, June 1st. Interested candidates should APPLY HERE!

ABOUT SEI

We are proud to provide a collaborative work environment filled with people who are driven to make a difference in our communities!  SEI is a teams-based, non-profit organization based in the Bay Area, CA dedicated to building leaders to drive sustainability solutions. For over 24 years, SEI has partnered with schools, communities, and businesses to develop a sustainability leadership pathway from elementary school to early career. Our flagship programs educate and empower students, workers, and emerging professionals to create thriving, resilient communities.