About Life Lab: Life Lab
is a nonprofit organization located on the CASFS farm at UC Santa Cruz.
Life Lab teaches people to care for themselves, each other, and the
world through farm- and garden-based programs. Life Lab is a leader in
the field of garden-based learning and has been assisting schools
throughout California and the United States since 1979, through
educational programs and curriculum development. Life Lab oversees a
model children's garden, The Life Lab Garden Classroom, which serves as a
site for teacher professional development and youth programming.
Position Description:
The Garden Educator will assist the Garden Education Coordinator in
running our very successful children's garden programs at Life Lab's
Garden Classroom on the campus of UCSC. This is a 24 hour per week
position (60% time) year round with 40 hours per week for nine weeks
each summer (this year from June 4 through August 10). During the
fall/winter/spring months the Garden Educator runs themed field trip
programs for area elementary school students and preschoolers and
supervises field trip guide interns. During the summer, the Garden
Educator directs our Wildlands & Watering Cans and Farm &
Wilderness summer day camp programs.
Responsibilities:
This position's
duties change seasonally with the programming offered in the Garden
Classroom. The Garden Educator will work 40 hours per week for 10 weeks
in summer and part time for the rest of the year.
Summer Camp Duties
40 hrs/week, June 4th through August 10th, 2012 (and similarly for following summers).
- Coordinate tasks for camp prep week (second week of June) and delegate jobs to available camp staff during that week.
- Keep inventory of camp supplies and shop weekly for camp groceries & supplies.
- Lead camp training the third week in June.
- Lead Wildlands & Watering Cans camp for 7-10 year olds and Farm & Wilderness Camp for 11-14 year olds, set up and clean up with counselors, Monday - Friday from 8:15 am - 4:15 pm.
- Fill in for counselors if needed.
- During camp, supervise counselors and manage camp staff schedules and mentoring.
- During camp season, manage and complete list of camp logistical and "behind-the-scene" duties, delegating these tasks as staff is available.
- Coordinate with Field Production Manager about camp harvesting.
- Manage discipline policy for campers. Maintain direct communications with parents during camp.
- Create schedule for camp interns and volunteers (high school students) and supervise/mentor camp interns & volunteers.
- Debrief the summer at a meeting with the Garden Education Coordinator in Aug/Sept.
Field Trip Duties and Summer Camp Planning Duties
24 hrs/week, mid-August through early June
- September - December (fall season), and April - June (spring season), lead field trips 3x per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) from 8:45 am - 1:45pm (Wednesdays begin at 8:30)
- In January-March (Winter Season), lead field trips 1x a week (Monday or Friday) 8:45 am - 1:45 pm
- Field trip duties include:
- Lead intro and wrap-up of field trip program.
- Coordinate field trip logistics (parking passes for parents, payment from teachers, student issues, timekeeping, and making sure stations are running smoothly).
- In collaboration with Garden Education Coordinator, plan training for UCSC student interns 3x a year (once for each season).
- Lead training sessions for student interns, preparing them for what is often their first teaching experience.
- Mentor interns throughout the season, providing feedback on their teaching and providing materials/activities to improve teaching skills.
- Occasionally supervise senior interns on curriculum, media, outreach, or related projects.
- Act as a reference for past interns, occasionally writing letters of recommendation.
- Assist in brainstorming and implementing program improvements.
- Prepare field trip materials.
- Coordinate with Field Production Manager about field trip harvesting.
- Camp planning duties December - June
- Plan WWC camp & F&W camp curriculum, schedules, training schedules, and job descriptions.
- Order & prepare materials for camp.
- Have monthly meetings for camp planning with Garden Education Coordinator.
- Assist with selecting camp volunteers.
- Interview and select staff for WWC & F&W Camps; collaborate with Garden Coordinator in selecting Aftercare Leader for all camps.
- Assist as needed with processing camper applications (March-June) and advertising.
Other Duties
- Attend 1x monthly staff meeting.
- Coordinate with other Life Lab programs on space use in the Garden Classroom.
- Occasional weekend work required; representing Life Lab at off-site events such as conferences, helping with Life Lab events such as the Annual Benefit Brunch and Family Camp.
- Contribute to quarterly Life Lab newsletter.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree, preferably in a related field.
- Minimum 2 years experience in education (classroom teaching, outdoor and environmental education).
- Knowledge of basic gardening/farming, biology, and ecology. Previous work in a garden or farm, especially an educational setting, preferred.
- Experience managing or leading summer camp or outdoor educational program and supervising staff/volunteers.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Detail-oriented, organized and capable of providing a professional front to our programs.
- Experience working with low income and diverse student populations preferred.
- Spanish fluency preferred.
- Willingness to schedule vacations around program times unless coverage can be arranged.
Wage: $33,280 Full Time Equivalent, Pro-rated Seasonally. Full health benefits.
Send resume and cover letter to gardened@lifelab.org
This position is open until filled.
