Gardener-in-Residence Lead Educator

Gardener-in-Residence Lead Educator

Reports To: Farm to School Director

Location: Variable

Position Type: Full time / Non-exempt

Wage: $20-$21/hour

Benefits: 30 days paid time off plus 8 paid holidays annually; flexible schedule; professional development opportunities; cell phone reimbursement; 4.5 day work week

Start Date: Late August 2026

About Rooted

Rooted, formed in 2020, grows a community-led, sustainable food system through urban agriculture education, food production, and land access so that people can grow and thrive in healthy, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Rooted connects communities across the north and south sides through its three core sites - Troy Farm, the Madison School Farm, and the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center & Urban Farm - as well as a network of community and school gardens.

About the Gardener-in-Residence Program

Rooted's Gardener-in-Residence (GiR) program provides engaging, hands-in-the-dirt garden education in partnership with participating Madison Metropolitan School District schools. All school gardens are unique, but our mission at each site is the same: To help students experience the joy of growing and eating fresh food while building agricultural knowledge and cultivating environmental stewardship. Rooted school garden educators collaborate with school administration, staff, students and families to ensure the school garden serves as a thriving teaching resource for the school community.

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

The GiR Lead Educator will be responsible for providing garden-based programming at three schools, along with leading MSCR (Madison School & Community Recreation) afterschool garden and cooking clubs. This position will also be responsible for assisting in the development and management of the Gardener-in-Residence program, which includes multiple school garden sites and a small team of Rooted garden educators. The GiR Lead Educator will help to develop resources and curriculum for the GiR program, lead and/ or assist with trainings, and as their schedule allows, attend monthly check-in meetings at schools to ensure high-quality garden programming at all of our school garden sites.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides garden-based educational programming at three schools; oversees and coordinates students' hands-on experiences in the garden (planting, tending, harvesting and cooking).
• Provides afterschool garden and cooking clubs through MSCR one to two days per week during fall and spring, three to four days per week in winter months.
• Available to fill in for/ assist other garden educators, schedule permitting.
• Builds relationships and coordinates with school communities.
• Attends monthly check-in meetings with Rooted school garden educators, program director, and school liaisons as schedule allows.
• Help develop resources and curriculum for the Gardener-in-Residence program, primarily during the winter months.
• Coordinates with Farm to School Director to recruit, hire, train and supervise Rooted school garden educators.
• Support Rooted's Farm to School and urban agriculture lessons as needed; activities could include teaching lessons at elementary schools, helping with taste tests, and assisting with surveys and data collection.
• Coordinates with other Rooted programs to ensure consistency and collaboration across the organization.
• Assist with field trip coordination to Rooted youth garden sites as needed.
• Attend organization and program team staff meetings; assist with Rooted events as needed.
• Attend school-based community events.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• At least two years of experience facilitating garden/farm-based education or hands-on environmental education programs for a diverse population of young people.
• Experience training and supervising staff.
• Experience working with non-profit organizations is desirable.
• Strong experience working with productive, proactive teams.
• Proficient use of smartphones, Microsoft Office software, email, and other technology.
• Ability to interact in a professional, courteous, and confidential manner with others and to function as an ambassador of the organization in a wide variety of venues and circumstances.
• Ability to provide support and leadership while working with groups of people on projects.
• Experience working with diverse groups of people in community settings, with cultural competence.
• Strong organizational and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments, responsibilities, and tasks.
• Flexibility and willingness to grow in response to needs or changes in the field.
• Ability to lift, kneel, and do physical work.
• Ability to commit to and promote Rooted's mission, goals, and priorities.

Additional Information/Requirements:

• Must have access to reliable transportation and provide a copy of a valid driver's license.
• Willingness and ability to work some weekend and evening hours as needed.
• Ability to pass a standard background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rooted is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from diverse applicants of all ages. Rooted is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.