THE EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD
A program of the Chez Panisse Foundation

Job Description: Garden Manager & Teacher

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POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Garden Manager & Teacher oversees all aspects of the Edible Schoolyard's one-acre, organic garden; designs and conducts daily garden classes for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, 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

• Design and conduct daily garden classes
• Guide students through propagation, planting, cultivation, composting, and maintenance of the garden, including creation and care of small garden structures
• Model effective classroom management and the ability to approach discipline creatively
• Support the Teacher Liaison and King 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

GARDEN

• Lead and manage propagation and greenhouse work, soil fertility, composting, crop rotation, garden planning, pruning, irrigation, pest and disease management and small scale chicken husbandry
• Manage the garden and orchards at a level of production that ensures the supply of ample produce to the ESY kitchen and special events
• Ensure that garden facilities and equipment are in safe and reliable working order, i.e. tool shed, chicken coop, greenhouse, irrigation system, lawn mower, weed whacker, rototiller, hand tools, etc.
• Work with the keen aesthetic of the program in mind, including planting ample annual flowers and maintaining the health of perennial ornamentals
• Share the responsibility of caring for the summer garden with Assistant and Apprentice Garden Teachers
• Maintain seed library to ensure genetic diversity of open pollinated plants and share/exchange with other garden projects

MANAGEMENT

• Provide consistent leadership; train and collaborate with the Assistant Garden Teacher; train and supervise Apprentice Garden Teacher, and facilitate weekly garden staff meeting
• Hire and oversee training of Americorps member; attend Americorps site supervisor trainings and event; ensure accurate record keeping and documentation
• Schedule and facilitate regular, individual check-ins with garden staff, to assure clarity of expectation and goals, and constructive feedback
• Meet regularly with Chef Teacher to coordinate plantings and harvests in tandem with lesson plans
• Work closely with Program Coordinator and Program Associate in the development of program goals and ensure accurate dissemination of information to the garden team
• Maintain a high level of interest in the myriad components of the Chez Panisse Foundation & ESY program
• Participate in ESY/CPF staff meetings, staff and program development meetings
• In tandem with Program Coordinator, maintain working knowledge of garden budget and budget management
• In tandem with the Program Coordinator, hire staff on an as needed basis

COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH

• Cultivate communication and relationships with ESY/CPF staff, King teachers and administrative staff, extended community of parents, local business, neighbors, school garden educators and potential ESY affiliates
• Stay abreast of King events and activities; be an active presence in the school community; attend King all-staff meetings as appropriate
• In tandem with Garden Consultant, organize and participate in monthly garden trainings for NHC garden educators; organize ESY volunteer and community garden workdays and plan and implement the yearly plant sale
• As a member of educational and sustainable agriculture communities, represent ESY/CPF 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 ESY/CPF events and community outreach
• Ensure an engaging and rewarding experience for volunteers; provide orientation to the garden and garden class

SUPERVISION AND REPORTING

• The Garden Manager & Teacher reports to the Program Coordinator and collaborates with the entire ESY staff
• Annual evaluations will be led by the Program Coordinator to assess performance and establish goals

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 3 years experience teaching middle or high school youth in a culturally and racially diverse setting
• Minimum 3 years experience managing a farm or educational garden
• 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 a wide range of situations
• Credentialed teacher and/or bi-lingual a plus

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATES

• Possession of a valid California Drivers License

COMPENSATION

• Training to begin end of August 2008
• Full time, salary based on experience
• Generous benefits package

TO APPLY
Please mail your resume, letter of introduction, and recent photograph (optional) to:
The Edible Schoolyard Attn: Kyle Cornforth
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
1781 Rose Street
Berkeley, CA 94703

Deadline for application is Friday May 16, 2008.
No calls please.



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