Garden Educator

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

The School Garden/Environmental Education program funded by the Neil Cummins PTO at Neil Cummins Elementary School is seeking a Garden Educator to lead classes one to two days a week for the 2025-2026 school year. 

GARDEN OVERVIEW: 

Our school garden is a vibrant outdoor classroom rooted in science-based, place-based learning and local ecology. We inspire curiosity and foster ecological understanding through hands-on experiences in a thriving native plant and habitat garden. The program centers on ecological literacy, environmental science, and cross-curricular learning for all students in grades K–5, helping them build meaningful connections with their local environment and deepen their relationship with the natural world.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Garden Educator, you will provide weekly lessons in the school garden. During your teaching days, you will teach up to 45-minute classes to students in 1st through 5th grades. Your day will also include prep time, teacher coordination and light garden maintenance to maintain and enhance the garden. Job will require 8 hours/week Sept through Nov and Mar through May. You will work closely with the current garden coordinator, teachers, and parent volunteers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver, and participate in developing, curriculum garden lessons for each grade level that increase in complexity through grade levels
• Prepare and set up lesson materials in advance and clean up after
• Collaborate with parent volunteers for specific project needs (Plant Sale, Work Day/s)
• Oversee maintenance of the garden to ensure a thriving outdoor classroom throughout the year, such as plant health, bird bath cleaning, irrigation maintenance (basic irrigation training available)
• Rainy days will be in the classroom with a backup lesson.
• Work closely with school garden team including current garden coordinator, and garden leads to ensure program consistency (via meetings and email/phone contact)
• Communicate and collaborate with classroom teachers
• Maintain records and photos of garden lessons and planting/harvesting
• Co-lead seasonal workdays tbd (optional)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous garden, or outdoor education, teacher experience
• Working knowledge of organic gardening: planting/harvesting schedules, soil and compost, basic irrigation systems, integrated pest management, etc
• Ability to lead engaging, informative lessons in a fun and meaningful way
• Ability to lead groups and delegate tasks
• Strong organization skills
• Computer proficiency and timely email communication
• Highly motivated individual capable of working independently without supervision
• Punctual, positive, flexible, can-do attitude!!
• Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Training in classroom management in an outdoor setting
• Knowledge of SF bay ecology, natural history, native plants, and birds

COMPENSATION: 

This is an hourly position with no benefits at 8 hours a week. The pay rate is between $30-$35/hour depending on experience. Instruction days/times of the week are flexible. Hours include teaching and prep time.