Full Season Environmental Education Intern

Growing Gardens’ mission is to cultivate community through sustainable urban agriculture. Our programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by connecting them with their local food system, each other and the environment. Our organization values the diverse skills and individuals that come together to create a thriving community and workplace. We take care of each other and put people at the center of everything we do. The Full Season Environmental Education Intern is a vital part of the Growing Gardens team. The full season intern contributes to planning and teaching our dynamic farm-based programs. They participate in valuable training, gain hands-on experience, develop leadership and other essential skills for a career in environmental education. Other responsibilities include working on the farm, in the greenhouse and engaging the community in urban agriculture through gleaning, volunteer days and outreach.
 

Environmental Education Intern Duties

Teaching Children’s Peace Garden Programming

•  Teach the following topics to school age groups: plant life cycles, planting and garden care, insects, pollination, beekeeping, composting, harvesting, healthy eating, community, cycles and much more!
• Lead Field Trips, Classroom Visits, School Days Off, After School Garden Club and Summer Camps in the Children’s Peace Garden independently and with a co-instructor, with support and feedback from the Education staff.    
• Co-instructor for our Goats and Gardens summer camp. 
• Act as a responsible, positive role model for all youth participants.
• Assist Education staff with administration tasks.

Event Participation and Community Outreach

• The Full Season Environmental Education Intern will assist with marketing for programming and will educate and engage with community members during outreach events that take place on and off the farm throughout the year.

Knowledge and Skills the Intern Will Develop

Education:

• Teaching in a farm-based setting including effective teaching techniques, group management strategies, and age-appropriate teaching/learning.
• Strong background knowledge in the following topics: plant life cycles, planting and garden care, insects, pollination, beekeeping, composting, harvesting, healthy eating, community, and life cycles.
• Effective communication strategies.
• Working effectively in a dynamic team environment.
• Evaluating programs through formal processes.
• Animal husbandry through working weekly shifts at the goat dairy during the spring and fall, and working daily with the goats during the summer for Goats and Gardens summer camp.
• Intern will receive training on Advocacy vs. Inquiry, Ages & Stages, Love and Logic, Whole Brain Teaching, Cultivating Community, Giving and Receiving feedback and so much more!

Leadership:

• Experience developing farm-based curriculum.
• Cultivating a positive learning environment for all audiences including diverse populations.
• Contributing as facilitator and active member of a professional learning community.

Structure of Internship

• Internship duration is March 1st - October 27th, 2023.
• Intern’s hour commitment will vary by week and season. Hours will range from 30-40 hours per week, more often 40, than not. 
• Hours primarily take place during weekdays, however there is some evening and weekend work required.
• Each Intern is supported by a Mentor and Supervisor.
• Mentor oversees daily activities and supports each Intern’s growth throughout the duration of the contract.
• Supervisor is available upon request for check-ins and meetings and provides general oversight of Growing Gardens’ internship program.
• Interns may attend learning opportunities with Growing Gardens staff throughout the season.

Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens:

• Hourly pay of $14.50 will be paid via direct deposit every two weeks. 
• Intern receives 1 week paid vacation.
• Your own weekly share ($20-$25 value) of fresh seasonal vegetables each week from the garden June-October as the season permits.
• 50% off all produce at the farmstand (June - October)
• 50% off all plants and seeds at Growing Gardens’ Plant Sale.
• Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm.
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of children, teens, and adults. 
• Community connections and networking within the burgeoning local food movement.
• Friendly environment with a committed, passionate community.
• Develop marketable leadership and management skills.
• Classroom training offered through Growing Gardens classes.
• Access to in-person and online courses taught by Growing Gardens staff.
• Access to a wide variety of organic seeds and plant starts.
• All Growing Gardens internships qualify for University credit if desired.
• Office is centrally located and easily accessed via public transportation.

Qualifications

Growing Gardens is seeking individuals who are excited to gain skills and experience teaching and learning in a community of motivated farm-based educators!

A successful applicant will demonstrate:

• The candidate must have at least 460 hours of satisfactory and verifiable experience working with school-age children.
• 460 Hours must be with children aged 4-18 in groups of four or more. Babysitting hours cannot be counted.  
• Prior experience teaching youth in an outdoor environment.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to serve as a mature, healthy role model for youth.
• Self-motivated team player with ability to meet deadlines, remain flexible and adjust to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently independent of supervision.
• Responsibility, reliability, and organizational skills.
• Interest in developing skills and knowledge in farm-based education. No prior gardening or farming experience required.
• The intern position is contingent upon the satisfactory results of a background check.
• Bilingual preferred, but not required.

A note about working here in the time of Covid-19:

Like everyone around the globe our operations have been challenged by this pandemic. Our work has had to shift at a moments’ notice based on Public Health guidelines and changing priorities for the organization. We ask that interns are understanding of changing schedules and planned work as is necessary. In order to keep our small and mighty team healthy through the season we are requiring that everyone participating in our internship program be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. At this time, that means they will have received the primary vaccination and the bivalent booster containing Omicron. Further details on this can be found on the CDC website. *If you need an exception to this requirement, please speak with the hiring manager.

Growing Gardens prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment and will take affirmative measures to ensure against them, especially if they are carried out on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, neurodiversity, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation or political affiliation. This policy applies to all employees or potential employees, volunteers, participants, members of the Growing Gardens Board of Directors, people who serve on Growing Gardens’ committees, and anyone attending Growing Gardens’ events.  This policy extends to all aspects of employment at Growing Gardens, including hiring, transfer, promotion, training, working conditions, policies, compensation, evaluation, discipline and termination.

To apply:

https://growinggardens.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until January 22, 2023. We recommend getting your application in as soon as possible for full consideration.  Position will remain open until filled. 

For any questions, contact Megan Reynoso at mreynoso@growinggardens.org