Position Summary: The School Garden Educator will help between two and four schools establish new gardens and composting systems. The School Garden Educator will work with School Garden Project (SGP) staff to identify candidate schools and help with all aspects of designing and building gardens.
The School Garden Educator will also work directly with students to provide garden-based educational activities, assist with growing plant starts at the SGP greenhouse, and recruit program volunteers.
The Garden Educator reports primarily to the SGP Director regarding specific site duties, and will have work space at the SGP office.
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Help between two and four schools establish new gardens and cafeteria composting systems
· Responsible for planning and leading agricultural education activities with youth
· Recruit and coordinate volunteers to sustain programs
· Plan and lead activities for Outdoor School students during field education and work weeks
· Partner with other agencies, such as the City of Eugene Urban Agriculture program, the Lane County Compost Specialists, and the Community Transition Program, to better serve our students and local community
Minimum Qualifications:
· Two years of college. Degree in agriculture, education, ecology or related field preferred. Relevant experience can be substituted for college background
· Knowledge and experience in small-scale composting and gardening
· Experience teaching and leading youth
· Experience in organic gardening (including greenhouse work, soil building, composting, and harvesting)
· Ability to establish positive rapport with diverse groups of young people and volunteers
· Ability to develop extensive work plans and work independently
· Desire to help students learn where their food comes from and improve student health
· Good physical condition and ability/willingness to participate in intense physical labor
· Willingness to undergo a criminal and sex offender background check
· Must provide current photo ID and proof that s/he is a US Citizen, US National, or Legal Permanent Resident and is at least 18 years of age at the time of sign-up
Desired Qualifications:
· Experience teaching and/or leading youth, and ability to deal with a variety of youth behaviors
· Experience planning and executing events
· Strong communication skills and a vested interest in community service
· Flexible personality to be able to deal with the unexpected
· Desire for personal challenge
· Valid driver's license; personal vehicle highly recommended but not required
· Associate’s Degree required; undergraduate/graduate degree preferred
Schedule Requirements:
Full time (40-45 hours a week) with a minimum of 900 hours and 5 month term with occasional weekend hours from September 2011 to January 2012. Exact dates are subject to slight change.
Program Benefits:
· Up to a total of $6,050 living allowance dispersed evenly on a monthly basis
· Training; Child care, Loan forbearance, $2,775 Education Award (upon completion of the 900 hours of service)
· The living allowance and education award are taxable. Members are responsible for providing housing, food, and work clothes.
To apply: Please see our website for complete application requirements under the AmeriCorps heading at www.nwyouthcorps.org or contact Kendra Henry at kendrah@nwyouthcorps.org
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