Environmental Educator

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. They participate in valuable training, gain hands-on experience, develop leadership and other essential skills. Other responsibilities include working on the farm and in the greenhouse, animal husbandry 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

Location: Boulder, CO

Compensatio n: $19.00-$21.50/hour

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.

Required Online Training: Online training that will be completed independently before March 11th start date. These trainings will be compensated with a $100 stipend and can be completed in sections.

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 Advocacy vs. Inquiry, 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

• Teaching Children’s Peace Garden Programming
  • 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, School Days Off, After School Garden Club and Summer Camps in the Children’s Peace Garden independently and with a co-instructor
  • Co-instructor for our Goats and Gardens summer camp. 
  • Act as a responsible, positive role model for all youth participants.
  • Assist with education administration tasks.
• Work a weekly goat shift during the spring and fall and work daily with the goats during the summer for Goats and Gardens summer camp
• Engage with community members during outreach events that take place on and off the farm throughout the year 
• Develop farm-based curriculum that aligns with CO state science standards and comprehensive health standards for nutrition education
• Assist in trainings for seasonal Environmental Education Interns
• Participate in field work in our Children’s Peace Garden and supporting our growers with CSA harvests.

Structure of Position:

• Spring (March 11th - May 31st): 30 hours/week
• Summer (June 3rd - August 9th): 40 hours/week
  • There is no Summer Camp the week of July 1st - 5th. During this week, staff will work 2 days, July 1st & 2nd (week’s pay will include 2 days of work and July 4th paid holiday)
• Fall (August 12th - November 1st): 30 hours/week
• Hours primarily take place during weekdays, however there is some evening and weekend work required.

Special Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Why work here

Growing Gardens’ mission is to cultivate community through sustainable urban agriculture. Our programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by connecting them with their local food system, each other, and the environment.

Our organization values the diverse skills and individuals that come together to create a thriving community and workplace. We are committed to the work we do, and bring our best selves each day, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously, have fun, and enjoy the process of doing good in our community. We take care of each other and put people at the center of everything we do.