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GROW Program Educator  (Part-time/Seasonal)

 

Application Deadline:  Thursday, March 21, 2024

 

Organizational Overview:  GROW (La Crosse) is a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2012 in the La Crosse area, whose mission is to connect youth to healthy food and nature through hands-on, garden-based experiences to nourish growing minds and bodies.  GROW maintains and provides programming for nine school gardens in La Crosse and surrounding areas as well as at a state-of-the-art greenhouse on the campus of Western Technical College.  In addition, GROW provides programming on a local organic farm in the form of field trips, camps, and family exploration days.  

 

Position Overview:  Garden Educators are essential to GROW programming.  Each educator is assigned to a school or multiple schools to provide hands-on learning experiences with students while also being a liaison between GROW and the school administration and staff. This position requires exceptional communication and leadership skills as the Garden Educator will foster strong relationships with schools and their communities. Garden Educators will provide curriculum connected, garden-based lessons during the growing season. Garden Educators must be flexible, team-focused, detail-oriented, professional, courteous, highly organized, and self-motivated. 

 

Applicants with strong communication skills and a passion for teaching and inspiring children in the area of nature and gardening are encouraged to apply.

 

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma Required
• Bachelor’s Degree highly preferred in a related field and/or at least two to three years of experience working in education 

 

Desired Skills and Experience:

• At least 2-3 years of facilitation or teaching experience with youth aged 5-12 (outdoor group management experience preferred);
• Knowledge and skills in small-scale organic food production or home gardening;
• Knowledge of or interest in topics including urban gardening, botany,
  environmental science, health and nutrition, food systems, food access;
• Demonstrates ability to work with diverse populations including youth and adults;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking;
• Knowledge of the components of an effective lesson plan; 
• Experience implementing lesson plans;
• Ability to work independently and be flexible;
• Computer skills and project management skills

 

The Garden Educator:

• Facilitates garden science classes, incorporating both environmental science and nutrition education as they relate to the garden;
• Oversees and coordinates students’ hands-on experiences in the garden (planting, tending, harvesting, and cooking);
• Builds involvement in and commitment to the school garden within the school community, including teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community volunteers;

Additional Job Responsibilities:

• Communicates regularly with the GROW Operations Manager to plan for garden planting, garden maintenance and projects

• Attend school wide staff meetings in the spring and fall;
• Monitor, document, and report on all activities and the extent of student and teacher participation;
• Reports to the Program Director and Executive Director

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time
• Occasional walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and crawling
• Occasional lifting and carrying objects up to 50 pounds
• Occasional reaching and grasping with arms and hands
• Ability to work outdoors during planting seasons, and in warm and cold weather

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle with light hauling capacity
• Ability to successfully complete a background check

Salary and Benefits:  

• GROW offers a competitive hourly salary.  Salary is commensurate with experience and educational background with a starting salary of $21-$22/hour.  This is a part-time position with hours dependent on the time of the growing season and the school schedule with a range between 10-18 hours per week.  A majority of the hours are in the growing months of April, May, September and October.  No benefits package provided.

 

Terms of Employment

Work hours are flexible depending on the needs of the organization.

All employees will be required to undergo a background check with GROW and with the School District of La Crosse immediately upon employment.  All employees are mandated reporters and will be required to undergo training.

GROW is an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees and to encourage them to be their authentic selves.  No matter how you identify or what background you bring with you, we encourage you to apply if the job sparks a passion and excitement for the work. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law.

 

GROW Personnel Policies and Procedures (Employee Manual) takes effect on date of hire.  All GROW, Inc employees are employed on an “at-will” basis.  Employment at GROW is for an indefinite period of time and is terminable at any time, with or without cause being shown by either the employee or GROW.

 

Materials to be sent by the deadline:  

• Personal resume and cover letter
• Completed GROW employee application on linked Google Form 
• Three job-related letters of reference  (The Executive Committee has the option to waive the requirement for reference letters if the applicant has previously worked with GROW.)

Please direct all inquiries to:  Kari Braley, Executive Director-GROW, kari@growlacrosse.org

You may submit the materials the following ways:

Email: Kari Braley at kari@growlacrosse.org with subject line “Job Application”  or               Send by mail to:  Kari Braley P.O. Box 1241  La Crosse, WI 54602