Location: Watertown,MA, USA
Job: District School Garden Coordinator
Location: Watertown Public Schools
Salary: $35/hour
Part-time Garden Coordinator to be responsible for planning/planting/maintaining the existing elementary school gardens, collaborating with principals and teachers, coordinating volunteers, and supporting garden activities with students.
Responsibilities include:
Coordinating 4 school gardens (Hosmer, Lowell, Cunniff, and Watertown Middle School) and the implementation of a new Freight Farm (WHS):
* Creating a garden plan the serves curriculum needs and requirements, in particular science and math
* Maintaining an attractive & functional garden space with a variety of edible crops, flowers, native species, and specialty plants throughout the growing season
* Managing an annual school garden budget
* Purchasing all garden equipment, material, and supplies including watering system for each garden
* Pursuing grant opportunities for school gardens
* Routinely visiting each of the gardens to ensure condition and upkeep this includes watering systems and pest management.
* Making sure all tools and materials are available at the appropriate site when they are needed.
* Integrating students, volunteers, and community members into the garden work as much as possible.
* some weekend garden workdays will be required
* Organizing summer garden care
* Attending professional development on hydroponic gardening.
Supporting teachers in the schoolyard garden and in the classroom
* In collaboration with the district math and science coordinator, developing garden plans for the growing season and the curricular links and adapting the plans as the needs arise.
* In collaboration with garden teacher leaders, planning indoor and outdoor garden activities for in-school, programs
* Planning and implementing garden integrated lessons and activities with teachers
* Organizing parent volunteers including community work days and summer garden care in the garden
* Active membership on Watertown's Farm to School team
Other tasks as needed
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience teaching children or youth, preferably in the field of Environmental Education or Science
* Experience developing and working with volunteer base
* Strong communication and organization skills
* Working knowledge of organic gardening practices
* Ability to do physical work outside, including lifting up to 50lbs.
* Access to a car or truck for occasional use