Education Program Manager, Full Circle Farm Sunnyvale, Ca

Job Description
Full Circle Farm is a project of Sustainable Community Gardens located on the campus of Peterson Middle School in Sunnyvale, California. The Education Program Manager oversees all aspects of the education garden; develop curriculum for the garden classes for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, supervises AmeriCorps and other education staff, facilitates lesson and garden planning and guides the garden team in the development and maintenance of a productive, educational garden.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to
Teaching
- Develop curriculum for garden classes
- Ensure students experience propagation, planting, cultivation, composting, and maintenance of the garden
- Support and cooperate with the Peterson classroom teachers and the development of garden lessons that are integrated into classroom teaching and curriculum
- Mentor individual students in and out of class, model respect, curiosity for learning and encourage students’ interests and talents
- Model effective classroom management and the ability to approach discipline creatively

Management
- Provide consistent leadership, training and collaboration with the volunteer garden staff. AmeriCorps and other educators; facilitate weekly education staff meeting
- Hire and oversee training of AmeriCorps members; attend AmeriCorps site supervisor trainings/events and ensure accurate record keeping and documentation and timely filing of reports
- Schedule and facilitate regular, individual check-ins with education staff, to assure clarity of expectations and goals, and provide constructive feedback
- Participate in FCF/Peterson staff meetings, staff and program development meetings
- Maintain working knowledge of garden budget and budget management

Communication and Outreach
- Cultivate communication and relationships with FCF staff, Peterson classroom teachers and administrative staff; extended community of parents, local businesses, neighbors, school garden educators and potential FCF affiliates
- Stay abreast of Peterson events and activities; be an active presence in the school community; attend Peterson all-staff meetings as appropriate
- Organize and participate in monthly garden trainings for FCF garden educators; organize volunteer and community garden workdays
- As a member of educational and sustainable agriculture communities, represent FCF to the wider community, to include public speaking, attendance and/or participation in related meetings or conferences
- Welcome the program’s many visitors; be aware of classes with media visits and give interviews; participate in FCF events and community outreach
- Ensure an engaging and rewarding experience for volunteers; provide orientation to the garden and garden class
- Document and develop tools to ensure dissemination of FCF program information

Supervision and Reporting
- The Education Program Manager reports to the Executive Director and collaborates with the entire FCF staff
- Annual evaluations will be led by the Executive Director to assess performance and establish goals

Qualifications
- California Teaching Credential
- Minimum 3 years experience teaching middle or high school youth in a culturally and racially diverse setting
- Minimum 3 years experience with an educational garden, sustainable agriculture and/or nutritional programs with a focus on middle school grades.
- Significant experience and success with managing and training staff
- Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work well with youth, the media, within a public school and wide range of situations.
- Bi-lingual a plus
- Possession of a valid California Drivers License

Compensation
- Full-time, year-round position
- Salary DOE
- Health benefits

To Apply
Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to jobs@scgardens.org
Address your correspondence to:

Rebecca Jepsen
Executive Director
Sustainable Community Gardens
1055 Dunford Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087

www.sustainablecommunitygardens.org
www.fullcirclesunnyvale.org

Thank you for your interest!

Americorps Positions available at Full Circle Farm!

Come work at Full Circle Farm through the Silicon Valley Health Corps, an innovative program in health, nutrition, and sustainable food systems put together by our partners at The Health Trust. This program will place members in community garden, school garden, and farm sites throughout Silicon Valley while providing comprehensive training on community organizing and food systems change through community action.

Our Farm and Garden Educator positions are now full.

We are currently seeking 2 Quarter Time members for our Farm Crew at 30-40 hours per week for the Summer Season (May through September).  Please email Meghan Cole with inquiries, or with your cover letter and resume if you are interested in our open Farm Crew positions.  Interviews will be held in April and May.

Farm Crew-

Email Meghan Cole, Farm Manager: meghan@fullcirclesunnyvale.org

Farm Crew Position Description:

The position involves working alongside Full Circle Farm staff and volunteers in the field to produce mixed vegetables and fruit for a diverse set of marketing avenues—an on-site Farm Stand, CSA, local Farmer’s Markets, festivals, the Santa Clara Unified School District and local restaurants.

Primary duties include soil/bed preparation, propagation, direct sowing and transplanting of crops, irrigation, weed control, integrated pest management, harvesting and other field related activities.  Americorps members will also assist with produce marketing and delivery, CSA coordination and Farmer’s Market sales.

Some experience involving organic vegetable and fruit production strongly preferred.  Applicants MUST be prepared for the demanding nature of farm work including: physical labor for prolonged periods of time, working in a variety of (hot/cold/wet) weather conditions and regular lifting of 50+ pounds.

Coming Soon:

In September 2010, our Silicon Valley HealthCorps Positions will renew.  Please check back soon for postings for garden educators and farm crew.