Interested in maintaining the most important program at Oakland’s favorite public elementary school? Cleveland Elementary’s Ecoliteracy program is looking for a new garden manager!
The Ecoliteracy Educator/Garden Manager at Cleveland Elementary works with each of the 16 classes in our school (K-5th grade) for 50 minute sessions on a weekly basis—approximately 16 hours a week of direct student teaching. They help plan and lead students in age-appropriate lessons based on natural cycles, systems, and sustainability principles using hands-on garden activities, picture books, Life-Lab and other curriculum alongside our lead teacher. The garden educator also teaches basic environmental practices (recycling, composting etc.), trains and supports the student Green Team (waste sorting monitors), and supports other student leadership and school culture initiatives. The Ecoliteracy Educator/Garden Manager is responsible for planning, planting, harvesting, weeding and tending the gardens to support lessons and events at the school, with the help of students and volunteers. The gardens include our existing flower & herb garden, wildlife garden, redwood garden and mini-orchard, as well as our two main vegetable gardens. In addition to direct contact hours with students, garden production and maintenance, the Ecoliteracy Educator recruits, organizes and trains volunteers for Ecoliteracy events. The Ecoliteracy educator/garden manager works with the Lead Teacher/Ecoliteracy Director to plan and carry out four annual Seed to Table garden events (using garden grown produce), 4-5 garden workdays and one Family Farmers training per year.
The Ecoliteracy Educator is a position funded by our amazingly supportive PTA, and paid with health, vision, dental, and government benefits paid through the Oakland Education Fund. Total gross pay is roughly $48,150 per school year (not including roughly $12,000 in benefits). It is usually a 40 hour work week, for 186 days a year (OUSD school year calendar).
Minimum Requirements
Gardening/farming experience
Experience working with youth (including K-5th grade) of diverse backgrounds.
Comfortable working outdoors most of the day
Strong communication skills
Ability to work with a team using a growth mindset.
We are especially looking for candidates that reflect the diversity of our community. No college degree is required.