Month: August 2019

Job Description

Grow Some Good works with over 40 K-12 schools on Maui and Lana‘i to cultivate an understanding of how to grow, harvest, and prepare nutritious food in sustainable school gardens with emphasis on promoting healthy eating habits and  promoting agriculture careers while integrating agriculture related learning and including Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) education and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) into the curriculum.  

This is a new position reporting to the Executive Director which is responsible for management of Maui Farm to School Network (MFSN) program. This job is critical to the success of our merger with Maui School Garden Network where many of the duties were previously performed pro-bono. 

Job Duties

Program Management

Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, program evaluation, communications, and working systems; recommend timelines and resources to achieve Grow Some Good’s strategic goals. 

Develop and lead the team of Garden Coordinators / Educators who work at various schools across Maui and Lana‘i.  Hire and manage Garden Coordinators and Garden Educator staff including working with schools to hire Part-time Teachers (PTT) as well as our own part and full-time staff. Assign coordinators to schools. Give feedback and mentoring support as needed to garden coordinators. Facilitate roundtable meetings with coordinators quarterly. 

Be the primary contact with school administration to establish garden sustainability plans, garden goals and assist with staffing and training of garden personnel.  

Manage and approve expenses for school garden programs including staff and resources.  Connect with community to engage volunteers and get donations.  

Maintain statistics and metrics on approximately 40 K-12 schools on Maui and Lana‘i with updates on a semester basis (hours of garden classroom education, number of students, produce harvested).  Run annual survey of principals and teachers to get feedback on program value, staff performance and opportunities for improvement. 

Prepare monthly program report and attend the Board of Directors meeting to keep board members informed of the program activities. 

Training and Retention 

Work with schools to provide qualified staff to support school programs.  This may include posting positions, interviewing and hiring, and working with school’s class scheduling staff. Not all people selected  will work directly for Grow Some Good and may report to the school. Review performance of staff annually and mentor qualified staff in career opportunities. 

Establish, plan and implement required training programs for Garden Coordinators and Garden Educator staff.   Training includes but is not limited to the following: 

• Detailed Curriculum Training
• Food Safety Training 
• Safe Garden Management practices including tools use and storage, safe harvest practices, Integrated Pest Management, soil testing, companion plant management. 
• Class management techniques
• Garden maintenance strategies and long-term plans  for school gardens (crop rotation, weeding, pest control, tools, water supply, pathways, etc.). 

Garden Network

Communicate with school garden leads, and school administration to highlight successes, initiatives, training and resources available to schools.  Participate as Maui Island Coordinator of the Hawai’i State Farm to School Hui  and relevant working groups. This includes travel to other islands quarterly. Engage in legislative action that supports the interaction of the DOA, DOE, and DOH in establishing sustainability goals for the state in areas of independence including food supply, clean water, renewable energy, and supportive infrastructure. 

Network activities includes: 

• Identify resources to solve garden challenges (irrigation, build garden structures, organize community volunteers, mulch and soil). Maintain a current list of specialists in the areas of irrigation systems, composting systems, native plant starts and garden design.
• Maintain list of grant opportunities for all schools (public, independent, and charter) in the areas of garden learning and nutrition.
• Maintain the Farm to School Field trip Manual 
• Share training and conference opportunities
• Share Hawai‘i Farm-to-School Hui resources and materials. Share Farm-to-School initiatives that may impact school and garden programs. 
• Guide schools in developing their own lists of potential volunteers for fundraising, gardening class support, mala work days, and harvest festivals through the school PCNC, PTA, and other relevant internal school support organizations.
• Connect with principals, food service managers, teacher leads and PTA’s to engage and support the school garden programs at the schools. 

Development Support

The Program Manager must work with Grow Some Good’s Development Director and Executive Director to define programs, estimate projects and define potential grant projects and fundraising opportunities.  The program manager is responsible for assisting in writing grant reports and maintaining budget information for their programs.  

Community Outreach and Partnership Development

Prepare stories for social media, website, and e-newsletter and encourage staff to do the same.

Work with community leaders and partners to connect organization to the community. 

Establish and build relationships with farming, agriculture and natural resources training programs, invasive species education, Master Gardener training, health and nutrition education training, conservation training, watershed education, native plants education, seed saving education, composting education, and aquaponics education to provide available resources to garden coordinators and schools. Maintain and cultivate relationships with food pantry partners, farmers and food producers, and organizational partners to ensure quality programming that meets community needs. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree, with at least 2 years related work experience  
• Must have good project management skills as well as ability to write reports. 
• Ability to establish rapport and develop strong relationships with a diverse group of people, including youth, teachers, school administrators, community leaders, and managers from nonprofit organizations and local institutions.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities and meet deadlines in an unpredictable environment.  Able to weigh multiple factors to act quickly, decisively and diplomatically. 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle 
• Willing to travel to remote areas of Maui, Lana‘i and other Hawaiian Islands
• Ability to work weekends and evenings when needed
• Must be computer savvy with knowledge of tools such as Google (Doc/Sheets/Drive) and/or Microsoft Word/Excel. 
• Must be comfortable with public speaking (events, training, radio and TV interviews) 

Desired Qualifications 

• Excited about the work of Growing Gardens!  And growing keiki.
• Bachelor’s Degree in education, agriculture, environmental science or comparative years of experience.
• Proven record of managing team of 10+ workers. 
• Willingness to transport materials to schools.  (Truck and/or willingness to use rentals) 
• Experience working with schools and after-school programs.
• Organic gardening experience.
• Knowledge of use of garden equipment and tool safety. 
• Familiarity with Hawaii local food systems and food safety.
• Commitment to healthy eating and garden and nutrition education. 
• Well connected with the culture of the Hawaiian Islands. 
• Ability to communicate to both adults and students. 

Work Environment

• Includes substantial office-based work and connecting w/community; position is about 50% or more office work. We do not have an office so home office or comparable option is required.
• Must have ability to lift/carry 40+ lbs. 
• Must have ability to stand, stoop, reach and bend.  Must have dexterity to grasp large and small objects. 
• Must have ability to stand for long periods and walk distances over uneven surfaces.

Benefits:

This position is a full-time salaried position with medical benefits available. Salary range is $40,000 to $50,000 based on experience and skills. Mileage reimbursement. Paid time off.

Summary

The Garden Coordinator leads curriculum-focused outdoor classes and
garden-based nutrition workshops. The Garden Coordinator works with teachers as they plan their lessons utilizing the outdoor classroom and models skills that teachers need to feel comfortable using the garden to teach science, history, social studies, cultural studies, math, literacy and other standards in practical real-life applications.

HOURS:

There are several positions available which may be either Grow Some Good staff or Department of Education positions or private school positions.

• 10-35 hours per week depending on position
• Variable based on school hours but typically 7 hours/day between 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. up to 5 days/week + prep time
• Location: various across island of Maui
• RATE: $17 – $22 per hour

Responsibilities

• Work with teachers to develop lessons that support classroom teaching in a range of curriculum areas (science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, etc.). Lead garden classes, incorporating both environmental science and nutrition education as they relate to the garden.
• Oversee and coordinate students’ hands-on experiences in the garden (planting, tending, harvesting and cooking).
• Lead safe and efficient maintenance of the garden, coordinate volunteers, support school outreach functions and work with PTA and PCNC (Parent Child Networking Coordinator) and Grow Some Good to secure needed supplies.
• Collaborate with Grow Some Good on garden scheduling / maintenance, plan and prepare for garden work activities, co-manage planting schedule, ensure availability of tools and other necessary materials.
• Establish garden time schedule with curriculum coordinators and teachers.
• Participate in community garden events that bring students, families, teacher and community members together.
• Maintain necessary records of garden use and volunteer activity.

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of college, with work in agriculture, science, ecology, environmental science, education or related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for college background.
• 1+ years of facilitation or teaching experience with youth aged 5 – 14.
• Knowledge and experience in growing a variety of edible plants in tropical climates. Knowledge of topics including urban gardening, botany, biodynamics, indigenous farming techniques; environmental science, health and nutrition, food systems, food access are a plus.
• Able to establish positive rapport with diverse groups of students and volunteers through written and verbal communications.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations including youth and adults.
• Ability to organize work plans and work independently.
• In good physical condition with willingness to participate in occasional physical labor in garden setting. Much of day is spent on your feet in outdoor setting. Must be able to lift and carry 25 lbs.
• Should have access to transportation for occasional supplies procurement and delivery and be able to show proof of insurance for vehicle used.
• May be required to meet Department of Education minimum qualifications for employment and/or complete background check.
• Must be able to access a personal computer and have a cell phone.

About Grow Some Good

Grow Some Good cultivates a healthy community by strengthening local agriculture and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. Grow Some Good is a nonprofit community program that currently supports schools in grades K-1 across Maui.

As a non-profit, positions are dependent on organization getting grant funding and donations. Positions are typically for the school year and breaks are not paid for unless there are special projects.

To apply, send cover letter and resume to apply at growsomegood dot org with Garden Coordinator Position in the subject line.