Learning Gardens Lead Educator, Summer

POSITION SUMMARY 

Learning Gardens brings year-round, field- and school-based garden science learning to NYC schoolchildren and community members. Our gardens are outdoor classrooms that provide vibrant green space in some of New York City’s most densely populated neighborhoods. Operating in four community gardens across three boroughs, CPF presents engaging interdisciplinary lessons to expand student learning around urban ecology, horticulture, soil science, and sustainable urban food systems. Students in 2nd – 8th grade and their teachers receive resource materials, curricula, and tools to enhance their understanding of ecosystem services and address the unique challenges of growing food in an urban environment. High School interns are trained in garden instruction and horticultural techniques throughout the spring and then work alongside Learning Gardens staff throughout the summer.  

Each week throughout July and August, summer camp groups from local community organizations participate in a 6-session program at one of four Learning Gardens. CPF staff and interns lead late elementary and middle school-aged youth as they experience 15 low-cost hours of fun-filled, garden-based science instruction in community gardening, growing healthy food and keeping fit. 

We are seeking two seasonal educators who will be placed respectively at one of the following gardens: Grove Hill Garden in Morrisania, Bronx; and Success Garden in East New York, Brooklyn.  

SEASON: July - August 2024

COMPENSATION: $25 per hour

REQUIREMENTS

• Under the supervision of the director of education and utilizing an established curriculum, co-deliver educational sessions for groups of up to 30, 4th - 8th grade youth as part of a regularly scheduled program for summer camp groups
• Supervise and mentor paid high school and college interns on site including their facilitation of activities with the younger students and garden maintenance
• Coordinate day-to-day program functions for the designated Learning Garden
• Collaborate with the Garden Coordinator (operations) to implement garden maintenance tasks with the interns including weeding, watering, harvesting, pest management, and clean up
• Help track attendance and evaluation of program outcomes and participants’ progress
• Assist with very occasional CPF programs/events on an assigned, or as needed, basis
• Be available for the orientation/training: 7/1 - 7/3 (10am - 4pm) and the full summer program (Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 5pm through August 21st)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree or equivalent training in environmental STEM education (or relevant field) particularly associated with urban community gardening, farming, food systems and justice
• At least 2+ years of teaching experience; experience in outdoor programs and/or in non-traditional settings preferred
• The ideal candidate will have compelling experience in garden-based instruction, outdoor education, and youth development
• Experience in classroom/group management skills; adept at handling groups outdoors in diverse scenarios   
• Excellent verbal communications skills; Spanish and other dual-language skills a plus 
• Willingness to work with urban youth from historically marginalized communities
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team is essential
• Willingness to work outdoors during July and August (physical and manual labor necessary) in hot and/or inclement weather

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

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