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ICG Is Hiring: School Programs Educator

Title: School Programs Educator
Employer: Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG)
Location: 704 W. Buffalo St #4, Ithaca, NY 14850
Supervisor: Erin Marteal, Executive Director

About Ithaca Children’s Garden 

Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG) is a non-profit organization driven by a mission to connect children to nature to create a more beautiful, resilient, and just world. Our vision is that every child has the basic human right to play, learn, and grow outdoors, and develops a life-long relationship with the living world.  We do that by fostering child-directed, hands-on learning and play in the living world by serving as a demonstration and training hub for those seeking ways to get more children outside.

Values

1. ICG is CHILD-CENTERED by employing playwork philosophy and practice and embracing the 4 core values of the Circle of Courage: independence, mastery, belonging, and generosity to foster positive youth development.

2. ICG is INCLUSIVE, SAFE, and committed to becoming a MULTICULTURAL organization that challenges racist power structures.

3.  ICG is COLLABORATIVE by partnering with community agencies, individuals, and other field leaders to develop synergies and build on collective strengths.

4.  ICG is INNOVATIVE by continuous development, evaluation, learning, reflection and improvement in our work, bringing a spirit of positivity in all things.

5.  ICG is ECOLOGICALLY- CENTERED by practicing and demonstrating ecologically sensitive methods of land-care and people-care and interpreting the benefits of such practices to visitors and program participants.

Position Summary

Ithaca Children’s Garden seeks candidates for the position of School Programs Educator. The primary role of this position is supporting teachers and students in efforts to utilize the outdoors for instruction and learning across the curriculum and seasons. This will occur through development and delivery of programming directly to students, and supporting teachers through teacher training and professional development. Programming will occur in the Garden, in schools and school yards across the county, and virtually. 

This position reports to the Executive Director, may supervise interns and volunteers, and works closely with the entire education team. Excellence in written and verbal communication skills, organization, and experience working as a school teacher or working closely with school teachers in grades k-5 are essential to success. The ability to be flexible and adapt work hours to emergent needs as well as participate fully in the development and delivery of in-person programming is essential. The successful candidate will be comfortable and skilled at working directly with students and teachers.

This is a 30 hour/week on average, year-round position. The compensation rate for this position is $18/hour and includes limited benefits as set forth in the ICG Benefits Policy, including paid time off. 

ICG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse staff as per our stated value #2: to be INCLUSIVE, SAFE, and committed to becoming a MULTICULTURAL organization that challenges racist power structures. ICG strongly encourages applications from candidates of color. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law, where applicable.  

Applications will be accepted until September 12, 2020, or until the position is filled.

Position Term

Hours per week: 30 hours/week year-round, primarily during school hours with periodic evening and weekend hours.

The ability to be flexible and adapt work hours to emergent needs as well as participate fully in in-person programming – with both teachers and children – and follow all safety protocols- is essential.

Compensation & Benefits

The hourly rate is $18.00/hour. The position is a year-round  position and provides access to limited benefits as set forth in the ICG Benefits Policy, including paid time off. Short term disability and paid family leave are provided as mandated by NYS.  Health insurance is not currently offered. 

Responsibilities

Teacher/Classroom Support

  • Cultivate trusting relationships with teachers and principals to better understand their needs and challenges
  • Develop and deliver teacher trainings and staff professional development workshops related to garden-based learning and outdoor instruction
  • Provide on the ground coaching and support for teachers supporting their utilization of outdoor learning spaces
  • Take the lead on standards-alignment and coordination across grade levels, schools, and districts
  • Assist with outdoor classroom development including use of all aspects of school grounds (lawn, gardens, woodlands, etc)
  • Take the lead on communication, scheduling, and record keeping

Programming

  • Bring ICG’s garden-based programming to regional schools
  • Develop programming based on teacher, school, and district needs
  • Lead and grow ICG’s field trip program
  • Support ICG’s broad menu of education programs and events
  • Support additional ICG programming as needed

Qualifications & Experience

The School Programs Educator will be a highly organized and motivated self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills and at least two years of related work experience.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following qualities and attributes:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to present to and communicate with diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities. 
  • Experience working in education, as a school teacher or working closely with school teachers in grades K-5.
  • Experience in outdoor teaching and learning, including best practices and a commitment to the benefits of learning outdoors
  • The ability to be a systems-thinker; always attending to process improvements to best utilize and leverage existing and new resources.
  • A can-do attitude and unwavering commitment to executing with excellence.
  • Keen attention to detail, highly organized, with capacity to multitask and work on multiple projects and assignments simultaneously.
  • An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.

A plus:

  • Culture and mission-driven; passionate about ICG and increasing opportunities for all children and families to connect with nature
  • Familiarity with garden-based learning with an understanding of ecology, food systems, and horticulture.

How to Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to richard@ithacachildrensgarden.org with “School Programs Educator” in the subject line. Cover letters may be addressed to Richard Lansdowne, Operations Manager. ICG Phone: 607-319-4203. 

Successful finalists must complete and pass the required NYS background checks.

In your letter, please speak directly to your experience working with schools and outdoor learning, your interest in working with Ithaca Children’s Garden, and your diverse perspective, as well as your experience serving and working with diverse audiences. ICG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law, where applicable.