08/12/2019
Job Description:
The Garden Educator will lead urban farming, design-build, STEAM, and nutritional education workshops on urban farms - mostly in youth (detention) centers - across the five boroughs. The Garden Educator will also be responsible for the basic maintenance of the farms. We are seeking candidates who are passionate about environmental justice and lovers of growing food, who want to share their knowledge with others. This position offers a meaningful gardening and teaching opportunity for the right candidate.
About Us:
Sprout by Design is a NYC based, minority & women-owned company whose mission is to "Design, Build, Educate, Grow." We work with an eye towards health, sustainability, social, environmental, and economic impact.
Sprout by Design builds urban farms, gardens, greenhouses, green walls, green fences, composting systems, chicken coops, and educational playgrounds for individuals of all ages and abilities. We pair these build structures with fun, hands-on workshops and curricula that use nature as a practical tool to teach design-build principles, STEAM standards, and broader concepts like problem-solving, healthy eating, environmental stewardship, and job training for opportunities in the emerging green economy. In addition to having great educational and economic impact, these workshops & activities also have calming, developmental, and therapeutic benefits.
Sprout by Design also provides programming and maintenance for existing gardens, helps community gardeners sell their produce to local restaurants, and leads urban farming workshops for students of all ages (preschool - seniors). Topics include gardening, hydroponics, composting, farm-to-table entrepreneurship, and chicken hatching. Finally, Sprout offers staff training, professional development, and family engagement activities for each program we create.
We service schools, community centers, houses of worship, detention centers, local restaurants, community gardens, rehabilitation centers, special needs organizations, and elder care residences. Our clients include: The U.S. Department of State, Brooklyn Public Library, NYRP, Marcus Samuelsson Group, Administration of Childrenās Services, American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, YAI, United Cerebral Palsy, Green Bronx Machine, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, Growing Up Green Charter School, Life Sciences Secondary School, and many more.
Location:
All Five Boroughs of NYC
Responsibilities and Duties
Learn and administer Sprout By Designās provided curriculum
Plan and facilitate multiple workshops per day, multiple days per week (TBD)
Organize and create new teaching tools and materials (you will have the opportunity to design your own lessons and projects outside of the provided curriculum)
Prepare for garden activities ensuring you have everything needed for the class in advance
Setup and cleanup workshop materials
Cultivate and maintain urban farms, including soil, aquaponic, and hydroponic farms, composting, and chicken coops
Organic crop handling: seed sowing, transplanting, harvesting
Organic crop maintenance: soil health, weeding, disease control, overall appearance
Monitor, document, photograph, and report on all activities pertaining to the urban farm including harvest log, garden activity log, garden plan, garden map, and surveys
Coordinate community garden events to bring students, families, teachers, and community members together
Facilitate staff training, professional development, family night events, and special events
Supervise open garden hours at relevant locations
Attend meetings with Sprout By Design and client specific meetings and trainings as required
Coordinate with Sprout By Design, volunteers, and interns
Qualifications and Skills
At least 2 years of garden/farm teaching experience, with a wide range of students and locations preferred
Knowledge and skills in three or more of the following: (organic) gardening, rooftop gardening, hydroponic gardening, aquaponic growing, chicken keeping, composting, horticulture, botany, environmental science, food systems, food access, sustainability, food justice, public health, and nutrition
Ability to work with diverse populations including youth and adults, individuals with special needs, gifted youth as well as at-risk youth in secure facilities
Positive attitude around children, adults, and seniors
Must be a creative self-starter who takes initiative and thinks outside the box
Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to work independently
Willing to undergo a background check
Computer, organizational, and project management skills strongly desired
Must have a reliable form of transportation to all five boroughs of NYC
Open availability to work various hours, including evenings & weekends
Must be authorized to work in the United States
Compensation:
Salary dependent on experience
How To Apply:
Please send your resume, cover letter, and two professional recommendations.
