District School Garden Coordinator

Job: District School Garden Coordinator Location: Watertown Public Schools Salary: $35/hour Part-time Garden Coordinator to be responsible for planning/planting/maintaining the existing elementary school gardens, collaborating with principals and teachers, coordinating volunteers, and supporting garden activities with students. Responsibilities include: Coordinating 4 school gardens (Hosmer, Lowell, Cunniff, and Watertown Middle School) and the implementation of a new Freight Farm (WHS): * Creating a garden plan the serves curriculum needs and requirements, in particular science and math * Maintaining an attractive & functional garden space with a variety of edible crops, flowers, native species, and specialty plants throughout the growing season * Managing an annual school garden budget * Purchasing all garden equipment, material, and supplies including watering system for each garden * Pursuing grant opportunities for school gardens * Routinely visiting each of the gardens to ensure condition and upkeep this includes watering systems and pest management. * Making sure all tools and materials are available at the appropriate site when they are needed. * Integrating students, volunteers, and community members into the garden work as much as possible. * some weekend garden workdays will be required * Organizing summer garden care * Attending professional development on hydroponic gardening. Supporting teachers in the schoolyard garden and in the classroom * In collaboration with the district math and science coordinator, developing garden plans for the growing season and the curricular links and adapting the plans as the needs arise. * In collaboration with garden teacher leaders, planning indoor and outdoor garden activities for in-school, programs * Planning and implementing garden integrated lessons and activities with teachers * Organizing parent volunteers including community work days and summer garden care in the garden * Active membership on Watertown's Farm to School team Other tasks as needed Preferred Qualifications * Experience teaching children or youth, preferably in the field of Environmental Education or Science * Experience developing and working with volunteer base * Strong communication and organization skills * Working knowledge of organic gardening practices * Ability to do physical work outside, including lifting up to 50lbs. * Access to a car or truck for occasional use

Created: 2025-01-11