Job Opening! Garden Programs Manager

4.13.16-JMES-MrSteve_IMG_6184CommunityGrows is hiring a full time Garden Programs Manager.

The Garden Programs Manager manages our environmental education program including curriculum develop, staff management, and overseeing the maintenance of the CommunityGrow’s gardens throughout San Francisco. In addition, s/he will teach 6-8 garden-based classes a week and manage our garden workdays. The ideal candidate will have a degree in early childhood education, a minimum of 1-year teaching experience, and a minimum 1- year managing a farm or garden. We are seeking staff members that have a real love of gardening, teaching, healthy eating and want to work creatively as a part of a passionate team.

Successful candidates will also have a demonstrable track record of working effectively in diverse, low-income communities.

 

About our Environmental Education Program
Our Environmental Education program educates students to high academic and social-emotional learning standards. We use hands-on science curriculum and exploration to foster knowledge of, and respect for, the environment and inspire a sense of wonder about the natural world. We integrate our school curriculum into grade-level science standards and support the teachers’ classroom curriculum. Our after-school and summer programming is designed in light of out-of-school (OST) time best practices and in consultation with community partners to best meet their learning objectives.

 

Responsibilities
Program Management
●  Manage the Environmental Education (EE) Program, an experience-based program that uses gardening as a tool to foster knowledge of, and respect for, the environment.
●  Plan and manage the class schedule in close coordination with the Director of Programs (DoP).
●  Maintain and utilize a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of environmental education, youth development and San Francisco Urban Agriculture
●  Complete required program reporting and maintain accurate records, files and documentation
●  Implement and manage ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the EE Program through pre- and post- surveys and interviews.
●  Document program highlights and participant success stories for website, social media channels and annual report.
●  Meet weekly with garden educators and review their accomplishments, difficulties and tasks.
●  Assist DoP with annual staff reviews.
●  Assist CG with hiring and training of new EE educators.
●  Create project and program budgets in coordination with the DoP and Executive Director (ED).
●  Train and supervise EE Program volunteers and interns.

Teaching and Mentoring
●  Plan and teach 6-8 environmental education classes a week.
●  Create lessons and curriculum for the garden using the Next Generation Science Standards and OST best practices
●  Collaborate with teachers and partners to create dynamic curriculum that suits different age groups
●  Provide a safe, secure space for students to share, learn and grow
●  Work with teachers and community partners to set up garden class schedules for the fall and spring school year
●  Keep accurate attendance records and evaluations of classes and curriculum taught and share results with teachers
●  Supervise volunteers and BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) who assist you in teaching classes and with garden maintenance
●  Assist with the planning and facilitation of the BEETS program, including: leading sessions; training teens in general garden maintenance; case management; and other duties as needed
●  Model positive and proactive attitudes, behaviors and language with students

Garden Management and Maintenance
●  Oversee all CG garden sites, ensuring all gardens have adequate resources and supplies.
●  Manage the community gardener’s memberships and plot assignments for Koshland Garden.
●  Assist in designing, budgeting and planning new gardens and current garden maintenance
●  Create garden maintenance schedules
●  Work with site managers and partners to ensure gardens are adequately cared for on days when CG is not on site

Partnership Development and Collaboration
●  Serve as an effective spokesperson for CG representing the programs’ values to all partners and the general public.
●  Maintain positive relationships with parents, families, students and school faculty/staff.
●  Represent CG in meetings with partners, residential councils, community members and the Tides Center.
●  Assist ED and DoP in establishing collaborative relationships within the community and provide outreach to community based partners, local government, local schools, community colleges, universities, and other agencies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area
●  Be the primary point of contact for EE partners.

 

Required Qualifications
●  Prefer candidate with Early Childhood K-5 Education degree
●  At least one (1) year teaching experience, especially with youth ages 5-12.
●  At least one (1) year experience managing a farm or garden.
●   Excellent classroom management skills.
●  Significant experience working in multicultural communities of color.
●  Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and take initiative.
●  Good writing skills and computer proficiency.
●  Strong collaboration, mediation, and team-building skills.
●  Familiarity with theories of environmental justice; knowledge of environmental principles and issues.

 

Desired Qualifications
●  BA in Early Childhood K-5 Education or similar field
●  Spanish and/or Japanese Bi-lingual
●  Experience living and/or working in the Western Addition.
●  Experience supervising and managing volunteers/interns
●  Program or project management experience

 

Compensation
DOE. This is a full-time, hourly position with benefits.

 

Physical Requirements/Work Environment
●  Ability to stand, stoop, reach and bend. Mobility of arms to reach, dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate large and small objects
●  Ability to stand for long periods
●  Ability to walk long distances
●  Ability to lift, push and/or pull objects, which may approximate 50 pounds
●  Must be able to navigate local travel
●  Must be able to work outdoors in different and sometimes inclement weather conditions
●  Must be able to teach in a garden setting, which may be dusty or dirty, or have slippery surfaces

CommunityGrows, a project of Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs, if any, at the time of application.

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to: Kelly ErnstFriedman, Director of Programs, Kelly@communitygrows.org by November 18th.