Expanded Learning Garden Specialist

About the Employer

The Napa County Office of Education (NCOE) is a public agency that provides academic services and enrichment opportunities for students, teachers and the community, as well as critical business services for school districts. NCOE partners with the five public school districts in Napa County on a variety of programs and issues. NCOE also operates numerous federal and state grants including a robust AmeriCorps program and state-wide projects supporting Special Education students. NCOE's Early Childhood Services program is a leader in inclusive classroom structures.

Requirements / Qualifications

Expanded Learning Garden Specialist
This position is funded by a grant through Napa County Office of Education.
Terms of employment are contingent on grant funding.

Start Date: Immediately

Hourly Rate: $22 per hour
180 days (school year schedule); 8 hours; 9:30am to 6:00pm; Mon-Fri
Potential for additional 30-35 Days of Summer Programming Work

GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Expanded Learning Garden Specialist will be employed by the Napa County Office of Education and will report to the Expanded Learning (EXL) Program Manager. This position will work in Santa Rosa, in collaboration with the Bellevue Union School District sites: Bellevue Elementary, Kawana Springs, Meadow View Elementary, or Taylor Mountain Elementary. Garden specialists will work on either a single or two elementary school campuses. The EXL Garden Specialist will maintain each school site's garden, as well as engaging students in garden based lessons and activities during after the school program (COOL School) hours

QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Previous experience building and managing garden projects is required, along with experience working with youth in school or community-based setting. Experience working with elementary students in a school garden is preferred.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the general direction of the Napa County Office of Education Program Manager, the EXL Garden Specialist will be responsible for the following:
Communication: Develop and maintain a high level of communication and positive relationships with the principal, teachers, and after school staff at each school site.
Collaboration: Work with the school day and after school program to find ways to engage all students in garden based learning, activities, lessons, and hands-on garden experience. Share the after school program space for storing supplies and materials.
Garden Maintenance: Ensure each school garden is well maintained, including, but not limited to: weeding, watering, planting and maintaining seed banks.
Garden Based Learning: Plan and implement daily garden and nutrition based lessons with students at each school site, during the after school program hours.
Community Partnerships: Seek to build partnerships with local agencies who are able to support the school gardens via needed supplies, along with opportunities to enhance student garden learning and hands-on experiences. Support community service days aimed at revitalizing gardens as needed.

Comments and Other Information

JOB DUTIES:
Utilize time effectively. If applicable, divide time evenly between the school sites.
Engage in regular meetings with other Garden Specialist, sharing ideas and resources.
Communicate and collaborate with school site staff to ensure a successful garden space for students.
Collaborate with school staff, after school Site Supervisor, and after school staff to provide times for students to engage in garden activities.
Share a passion and enthusiasm for gardens / garden education with both youth and adults on campus.
Purchase garden supplies, as needed and within an annual budget, to enhance the garden program.
Plan, prepare, and implement engaging garden and nutrition-based lessons with students. Research, and possibly purchase, educational materials and curriculum to support this process.
Provide students opportunities to work in the garden regularly.
Be responsible for monitoring student safety during garden activities.
Build community partnerships that will support the successful implementation of the garden program.
If able, facilitate a family based garden event during the school year on each school campus.
Perform other job-related dues as necessary to accomplish goals and objectives of the project as determined by the EXL Program Manager and the School Site Principals.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
School environments
Successful gardening requirements
Facilitation of student lessons

ABILITY TO:
Work well and collaboratively with a diverse community at three school sites
Be able to maintain a harmonious working relationship with students, school staff, and after school staff
Be dependable and responsible
Share garden expertise and passion with students
Be a self-starter and be able to work with minimal supervision
Plan, organize, and implement multiple project and tasks
Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing

Health: After receiving a conditional job offer, successful applicants must provide proof of Full COVID vaccination and before reporting for onboarding. During the post-conditional offer process, any applicant who seeks a medical or religious exemption from receiving the COVID-19 vaccination may contact the Human Resources Department at humanresources@napacoe.org

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Apply on-line at www.edjoin.org. Fill out the online application and scan/attach the required documents to your online application. Be sure to include a cover letter, resume, references and letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation may also be mailed to: Director of Human Resources, Napa County Office of Education, 2121 Imola Avenue, Napa, CA 94559.

DEADLINE: Apply immediately. Position will remain open until filled.
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