Environmental Educator

Over the last 26 years, Growing Gardens has brought gardening, nutrition education and produce donations to over 162,000 Boulder County residents.

We offer a variety of programs to get people of all ages, backgrounds, income levels, and abilities involved in growing and cooking their own food. These educational opportunities are paired with seed, plant start, and produce donations, as well as gardening space, to impart greater food security and hunger relief in our community.

The Environmental Educator is a vital part of the Growing Gardens’ team. The Environmental Educator contributes to planning and teaching our dynamic farm-based programs including Field Trips, Class Visits, School Day Off Programs and Summer Camp. They participate in valuable training, gain hands-on experience, develop leadership and other essential skills. This position will also be working very closely with our Goat dairy learning about animal husbandry and being a lead educator in our Goats and Gardens Summer Camp. Other responsibilities include working on the farm and in the greenhouse and engaging the community in urban agriculture through gleaning, volunteer days and outreach.

Reports to: Education Program Director

Job Status: Seasonal Staff: 30 hours per week Spring & Fall, 40 hours per week Summer (see below for details)

1 Unpaid week August 11-15 between summer and fall programming

Location: Boulder, CO

Pay:  $20.00 – $22.50  Depending on experience and Spanish language abilities

Paid Time Off Benefits: 32 hrs of PTO for the season, in addition to 5 paid holidays. Paid Sick Leave accrues at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, max of 48 hours.

The experience we offer:

• The opportunity to pair your work with your passion and to have a real impact in affecting positive change in our community.
• Professional development opportunities:  training on Ages & Stages, Love and Logic, Working with Neurodivergent children, Cultivating Community, Giving and Receiving feedback and so much more!
• Supportive organizational culture where you have independence and room to be creative.
• The chance to be a part of a thriving team culture where successes are celebrated together and coworkers enthusiastically share knowledge and support.
• A beautiful location: our office is on an urban farm in Boulder, Colorado.

Environmental Educator Major Job Duties

• Spring and Fall Seasons
• Teach the following topics to school age groups: plant life cycles, planting and garden care, insects, pollination, beekeeping, composting, animal husbandry, healthy eating and much more!
• Lead Field Trips, Classroom Visits and  School Day Off Programs Independently and with a co-instructor
• Work a weekly goat shift at Growing Gardens Goat Dairy to learn about animal husbandry and become more familiar with our goats for leading Goats and Gardens Camp during the summer
• Develop farm-based curriculum that aligns with CO state science standards and comprehensive health standards for nutrition education
• Participate in field work in our Children’s Peace Garden and supporting our growers with CSA harvests.
• Glean on a rotating basis at the Boulder County Farmers Market on Wednesday evenings.
• Summer Season
• Be one of our lead instructors for our Goats and Gardens Summer Camp. This position will be with campers all day from 8:30-3:30 during the 9 summer camp weeks.
• Deliver high quality summer camp educational programs. Co-leading a group of 15 campers each week to teach students about our farm and Goat Dairy through lessons, activities, crafts and games.
• All Seasons
• Act as a responsible, positive role model for all youth participants.
• Assist with education administration tasks.
• Engage with community members during outreach events that take place on and off the farm throughout the year
• Assist in trainings for seasonal Environmental Education Interns
• Maintain positive relationships with campers, students, parents and fellow staff
• Our programs take place outside in all weather conditions, so staff are expected to be prepared to work and facilitate programming in these various environments.

Structure of Position:

• Spring (March 3rd – May 30th): 30 hours/week
• Summer (June 2nd – August 8th): 40 hours/week
• There is no Summer Camp the week of June 30th – July 4th. During this week, staff will work 2 days, June 30th & July 1st (week’s pay will include 2 days of work and July 4th paid holiday)
• Fall (August 18th – October 31st): 30 hours/week
• Environmental Educator will have one unpaid week of vacation, August 11th – August 15th.
• Hours primarily take place during weekdays, however there is some evening and weekend work required.

Required Qualifications

• The candidate must have at least 460 hours of verifiable experience working with school-age children aged 4-18 in groups of four or more. Babysitting hours cannot be counted.
• Prior experience teaching youth in an outdoor environment.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to serve as a mature, healthy role model for youth.
• Self-motivated team player with ability to meet deadlines, remain flexible and adjust to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently independent of supervision.
• Responsibility, reliability, and organizational skills.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Bilingual applicants will be compensated on the higher end of pay range.

Additional Benefits of working with Growing Gardens:

• 50% off all produce at the farmstand (June – October) and access to free produce as the season permits
• 50% off all plants and seeds at Growing Gardens’ Plant Sale.
• Access to discounted Pro Deals on outdoor gear
• Friendly environment with a committed, passionate community.
• Develop marketable leadership and management skills.
• Access to in-person and online courses taught by Growing Gardens staff.

Candidates from minority or marginalized groups or with multicultural backgrounds or experience are especially encouraged to apply. Growing Gardens is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We actively foster an environment that is free of racism, discrimination, bias, and harassment; where all individuals are treated with dignity, safety and respect.