FY25 Site Lead and Garden Educator

24th St. is GSF’s flagship site, partnering with the organization since 2005. GSF operates four programs at this site: Seed to Table, Cafeteria to Compost, Farmers Markets, and Community Garden Days. This position involves leading Seed to Table educational lessons, acting as the Scope Lead for the 4 CA Climate Action Corps Fellows who work in the 24th St. garden, and community building among the broader West Adams, school garden, and funding communities. The candidate selected must be fluent in English and Spanish.

The Site Lead and Garden Educator conducts the Seed to Table education program at 24th St. Elementary. Duties include: conduct garden-based science and nutritional cooking classes in the garden and in a cooking classroom, following the GSF curriculum; cultivate a positive working relationship with your host school; help train and oversee CCAC fellows,interns, and volunteers; attend occasional evening and monthly weekend school events, including Community Garden Days; maintain the garden and classroom areas; conduct tours of the gardens and host an array of visitors; and assist with off-site events, workshops, and other special tasks as assigned. The Site Lead will work directly with the GSF Executive Director, school staff and parent community, and fellow GSF staff and volunteers.

The Site Lead will act as Scope Lead for the Climate Corps Fellows assigned to 24th St. Elementary. This includes providing day-to-day guidance and supervision on service projects specifically related to garden maintenance, Community Garden Days, Corporate Work Days, Farmers Markets and other events happening on campus. The Cafeteria to Compost Program Manager supervises the Climate Corps Fellows and scope lead will also help facilitate the program through coordination with C2C Program Manager and team members. Duties include: participation in maintaining composting systems, filling in for lunchtime collection as needed, attending weekly team meetings, and managing multiple lines of communication

Reports to Cafeteria to Compost Program Manager

Note: All below listed duties are based on viability during Covid restrictions and following all necessary Covid protocols. Should Covid-related restrictions be reimposed for LAUSD, your core teaching may be performed in-person, virtually, or a combination.

Roles and Responsibilities

Core Teaching, Sept. - June

● Plan and implement garden and cooking classes in the garden and in cooking classrooms using our Standards aligned, K-4th Seed to Table curriculum.

● Purchase, prepare, and maintain all teaching and cooking supplies

● Work with school leadership, staff, and classroom teachers to schedule the rotation of classes and align GSF lessons with classroom teachers’ instructional priorities whenever possible

● Secure GSF’s tasting waivers for all students.

● Send copies (English and Spanish) of every recipe with students at the end of Cooking Class (or via their teacher or class dojo).

● Work with interns to develop their teaching and gardening skills.

● Work with volunteers on cooking and garden projects.

● Conduct tours of your garden to a diverse array of visitors, as needed.

● Secure the minimum desired return percentage of pre-and post-program student surveys (95%), family surveys ( 30%), and teacher surveys (95%); GSF admin support will be provided where needed).

● Observe at least two Seed to Table classes by other GE colleagues.

● Attend GSF’s Mid-Year Check-In with your school Principal(s) with other key staff.

Cultivate School Relationship

● Organize and lead monthly Saturday Community Garden Days.

● Build a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between GSF and your school(s):

Attend (or arrange other GSF staff coverage for) all major school events, such as Back-to-School Night, Open House, Science Fair, Annual Fundraiser, etc. (GSF support will be provided where needed);

Share and promote GSF’s programs and events within the school community.

● Host two parent workshops

Maintenance

● Maintain the gardens with support from the Climate Corps Fellows, interns and volunteers; weed, water, mulch, trim, prune, plant, tend and harvest.

● Maintain the cooking classrooms, ensuring that our facilities are clean, safe, and welcoming.

● Keep all classroom and teaching supplies stocked and accounted for, stored neatly, and in proper working order; alert GSF to any facilities, irrigation, maintenance, or pest issues.

Farmers Markets

● Support the 24th St. bi-monthly Community Farmers Markets, held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. Promote, set up, and work each market, engaging with the community, volunteers and staff.

● Lead the 24th St. monthly Staff Farmers Market held on the 4th Thursday of the month during the fall semester.

Cafeteria to Compost

● Oversee day to day work of 24th St. Elementary Climate Corps fellows

● Meet with Cafeteria to Compost Program Manager relating to their direct reports as needed

Assist with Cafeteria to Compost as needed. Typical duties include: helping maintain compost piles; teaching compost lessons; assisting with lunchtime collection as needed; publicizing C2C-related events and sharing updates with teachers, students, and school staff; facilitating C2C surveys; collaborating with the C2C Program Manager and team members to create a garden plan.

Organizational

● Attend: 1) mandatory quarterly GSF All Staff Garden Maintenance meetings, 2) mandatory monthly Garden Educator meetings, and 3) mandatory bi-monthly all-staff meetings as well as occasional trainings and professional events, as assigned. 4) For sites with C2C: weekly site-specific team meetings are mandatory.

● Periodically assist GE colleagues with garden maintenance at their sites (regular site rotation to be established).

● Plan and present at least one, 30-minute Professional Development session for your GE colleagues on a topic of your choice.

● Track necessary data in collaboration with GSF’s Programs Assistant for partnerships and programs including Seed to Table, Farmers Markets, Volunteer/Intern Hours, and Workshops.

● Have the capacity to use one’s own cell phone and computer equipment (GSF does not maintain a traditional office, and instead provides a $75/month “tech stipend”).

● Maintain timely and regular phone, text, and email communication with GSF staff and outside colleagues, as needed.

● Help coordinate photo documentation of classes and secure photo permissions.

● Assist with additional fundraising, partner, workshop, and other GSF events, as assigned.

● Liaise with similar or partner organizations and professional groups across our sector, as assigned, and attend relevant meetings, as assigned.

● Have the ability to frequently stoop, bend, reach, stand, squat, kneel, speak and listen and occasionally, lift up to 50 lbs.

-Bilingual English and Spanish (required)

-Three years experience with gardening or outdoor education

-Three years experience working with elementary age (K-5th grade) students

-Strong communication skills and desire to build community within the school and with school families