Early Childhood Education Garden Coordinator
TO APPLY TO THIS JOB, PLEASE USE THIS LINK:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe70UPL0lZ-YTgUWAFHqY9tYjm-aG2LSK2utJWKCJzxj9w/viewform
The Explore Ecology Early Childhood Education Garden Coordinator’s (ECEGC) primary role is to develop and lead Garden Explorers, our early childhood education training and materials program. The Garden Explorers program is designed and delivered to increase garden education in early childhood education (ECE) settings, primarily throughout Santa Barbara County. A full-time ECEGC will report to the Garden Program Director.
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $21.00 to $25.00 per hour DOE
Full Time Employees: 40 hours
Health benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
2 weeks per year of paid vacation
9 days per year of sick time off
8 Paid Holidays per year
Role and Responsibilities
Program Development and Garden Support
Coordinate, design, and facilitate seasonal trainings for early childhood educators and directors
Research, purchase, and organize educational materials
Order seasonal plant starts and seeds and distribute them to participating facilities
Build relationships with ECE centers throughout Santa Barbara County (occasional travel to Oxnard/Ventura and Santa Maria)
Gather feedback from early childhood educators
Collect data and information necessary for grant reporting
Work directly with Program & Development directors to find additional funding sources to sustain Garden Explorers programming
Program Support & Organization
Report weekly to the Garden Program Director on planning and implementation of Garden Explorers programming
Assist with community outreach, collaboration opportunities, and networking events
Assist in grant writing and other fundraising efforts
Manage Garden Explorer volunteers/interns, as needed
Assist with assignments and administrative tasks, as needed
Qualifications
A degree in Early Childhood Education, Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, or related equivalent field experience
Understanding of ECE settings, requirements, challenges, etc.
Excellent rapport with children; experience with preschool setting; and familiarity with curricular standards and classroom activities
Experience working outside with children ages 0 – 5
Experience working with adults in a professional development setting
Strong organic gardening, organic horticulture, permaculture experience, or equivalent; ability to care for a diverse array of plantings including annuals and perennials, food crops and native plants
Comfortable working from multiple locations and traveling between job sites and Explore Ecology offices
Reliable and prompt transportation and proof of insurance
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, Padlet
Ability to commit to at least 30 – 40 (full time) hours per week, including occasional weekends
Excellent written & oral communication skills (Spanish language skills desirable)
Flexible, adaptable, highly organized, and able to manage multiple responsibilities, set timelines and prioritize
Strong leadership skills with the ability to see the big picture and simultaneously focus on the small details. Reliable and consistently produces high quality work
Must be in good physical health; able to lift up to 40 pounds and comfortable using tools such as a shovel, wheelbarrow, and other common gardening equipment.
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and in groups. Able to work with people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and committed to equitable and inclusive practices in all phases of your work
Must pass a LiveScan (fingerprint background check) test
Work Environment
Standing, bending, and stooping for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours)
Outdoors in school garden and outdoor classroom spaces
Extensive contact with the public and children
Walking and climbing as required
Unassisted heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs.)
Primarily Santa Barbara County, but full range from Oxnard to Santa Maria
About Explore Ecology
Explore Ecology is a Santa Barbara based non-profit organization that educates over 38,000 children a year, inspiring them to engage with the natural world, think critically, and experience the value of environmental stewardship. Explore Ecology programs include the Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store and Gallery, Environmental Education, Watershed Resource Center, and School Gardens.
Explore Ecology actively promotes an environment of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We support all employees regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, race, ethnic origin, color, religion, national origin, creed, marital status, disabled veteran status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, and/or physical disability that does not inhibit the performance of the specific core tasks of this position.
Underrepresented people are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of a job’s requirements. We believe in hiring people, not checklists, and encourage you to apply even if you do not check all of the boxes.