[CLOSED] Garden Education Specialist

Tilth Alliance works in community with Washington farmers, gardeners and eaters to build a sustainable, healthy and equitable food future. Through our work we endeavor to promote and support the adoption of organic, regenerative, sustainable growing practices by farmers and gardeners throughout Washington; to make the food produced by these farmers and gardeners more accessible; and to inspire people to enjoy growing, cooking, and eating food that is both good for them, for their communities, and for the environment. The primary strategies we employ in this effort are advocacy, education and collaboration. Equity, inclusion and the promotion of a culture of anti-oppression are important outcomes expected of all the work we do.

The Garden Education Specialist is part of the Community Education Team at Tilth Alliance, which engages community members in classes, volunteer opportunities and other programming in Seattle and King County, around growing food, environmental stewardship, and cooking and sharing food.

The Garden Education Specialist is a new position that will work collaboratively with other members of the Community Education Team in two main areas: 1) teaching classes for adults related to growing food; and 2) providing technical assistance to other community gardens throughout King County, including through supporting the Soil and Water Stewardship training program. Our educational programming and garden support activities are rooted in values of environmental and food justice.

Job Responsibilities

Adult Education (approx. 50%)

• Work with our adult education team to teach hands-on and online classes on a weekly basis during the growing season, typically on a weeknight or weekend, with a focus on growing food organically in urban settings and related topics such as food preservation, cooking and nutrition, urban livestock, permaculture, composting, drip irrigation, etc.
• Share in administrative responsibilities, such as posting classes on our website.
• Explore other ways to engage people in garden education beyond hands-on and online classes, such as by developing digital education content, through social media engagement, etc.

Community Garden Support (approx. 50%)

• Support a countywide Soil and Water Stewardship program, including curriculum development, community garden project support and participant coordination. Soil and Water Stewardship is a yearlong training opportunity for community members around food, stewardship and environmental justice, including hands-on projects with community gardens.
• Collaborate with other staff to support Tilth Alliance learning gardens and partner gardens on infrastructure projects, such as adding or repairing garden beds, installing compost systems and drip irrigation, or adding garden features, such as fruit trees and berries, pollinator and native plants, rain gardens or other green infrastructure.

Team and Organizational Collaboration

• Attend staff meetings, participate in staff committees, speak publicly on behalf of Tilth Alliance, and support events and other duties related to being a member of the Tilth Alliance staff.
• Contribute to an inclusive working environment for staff, volunteers and partners and advance equity and inclusion in the organization and in community partnerships.

Exact job responsibilities may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience and interests.

Required Qualifications

• Passion for building a healthy local food community.
• Experience teaching in informal settings on subjects related to growing food organically.
• Experience in vegetable gardening, farming, permaculture or related fields, particularly in community-based settings.
• Experience training, coordinating, and leading volunteers and community members.
• Demonstrated commitment to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to thread these values into relationships and programming.
• Demonstrated ability and success working with people from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds, with various lifestyles and sexual orientations.
• Self-directed and able to work independently as well as with a team.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a variety of projects that may change based on community need, funding availability and organizational priority.
• Able to work evenings and weekends.
• Able to transport self and materials to locations throughout Seattle and King County.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Experience, or interest in gaining experience, with garden infrastructure activities such as light carpentry and construction, installing drip irrigation and other systems, installing plants and/or building out new garden beds, etc.
• Experience, or interest in gaining experience, in engaging communities through online learning, videography or podcasts, social media, etc.
• Experience developing curriculum.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, WordPress, Salesforce and social media applications.
• Ability to speak languages other than English.

To Apply

Submit a letter of interest and resume outlining 1) your experience with the qualifications listed above and 2) why you are interested in this position. Email all materials to chrishoffer@tilthalliance.org with “Garden Education Specialist” in the subject.

This position was revised and reposted on March 24, 2023. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the position is open until filled.

The job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Tilth Alliance reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skill and experience required.

Tilth Alliance is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is essential to achieving our mission. Tilth Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Women, people of color, and individuals from under-represented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.