Garden Educator

Garden Educator

Start Date: January 3,  2023

Location: Boston and Cambridge, MA

Reports to: Program Director

Salary: $44,700

Benefits: Health and dental insurance; retirement plan with 3% match; $1500 end-of-school year bonus; professional learning opportunities

About CitySprouts

The CitySprouts mission is to cultivate curiosity and wonder for all children with hands-on science learning through urban gardening. Established in 2001, CitySprouts’ in-school and out-of-school time programs currently operate in partnership with 24 Boston and Cambridge public schools.  

The Position

The Garden Educator will teach CitySprouts’ garden-based science curriculum in 3-4 elementary schools and lead one of CitySprouts’ middle school youth cohorts (an after school club during the school year and a site in our 5-week summer program). 

We seek a highly organized, experienced educator to join our team as CitySprouts expands its programming in Boston and Cambridge. The ideal candidate has a demonstrated commitment to nature equity and a strong interest in inquiry-based learning.

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching

Teach CitySprouts’ Early Start in Science garden curriculum to children in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms in Boston and Cambridge

Partner with classroom teachers and school science specialists to make the school learning garden an integral part of children’s educational experience

Gardening

Work with our Operations Director to maintain a thriving learning garden at 3-4 schools 

Grow a variety of edible crops, flowers, herbs, and perennials in school gardens throughout the growing season

Mentoring

Lead an after school club for up to 12 middle school youth during the school year

Serve as lead counselor at one site in CitySprouts’  5-week summer program

Required Knowledge & Skill

Strong classroom management skills and ability to foster a joyful learning environment

Ability to create a supportive, inclusive environment for middle school youth to learn about gardening and the natural environment

Strong  interpersonal skills with children, families, and peers that reflect cultural sensitivity, respect for differences, deep listening and clear communication

Committed to on-going learning and growth as an educator

Readiness to do physical work outside, undeterred by inclement weather

Occasional use of car required for transporting garden supplies

Preferred Knowledge & Skills

Multilingual speaker, Spanish preferred

Gardening skills

Education & Experience

2-4 years experience teaching environmental education to children

1 or more years experience working with middle school youth

Gardening experience, at least 3 seasons preferred

Work environment and physical requirements

This is a year-round position. The weekly schedule for the Garden Educator is M-F, 8am to 4pm. During the school year, the Garden Educator will report to three to four different public elementary schools in Boston or Cambridge each week and lead an after school club at or near one of our partner schools one day/week. In the summer, the Garden Educator will lead a site in our 5-week summer program for middle schoolers. Bi-weekly staff meetings are in-person and located at CitySprouts office at 1035 Cambridge Street, Cambridge 02141. There is occasional weekend and evening work (no more than once per month). This position requires a willingness to embrace a wide variety of weather conditions as unique and interesting, part of the ebb and flow of the natural rhythm and seasonal changes.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Jane Hirschi at jhirschi@CitySprouts.org

CitySprouts strives to build a community of teachers, students and families united around public education, gardens and connecting children to the natural world. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are among the core principles that define our work, and thus we actively seek to build a team that is inclusive of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. 

CitySprouts does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or citizenship in any of its programs. It is CitySprouts’ policy to maintain a safe, educational and engaging work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form.

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Jane Hirschi at jhirschi@CitySprouts.org