Garden Volunteer

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Immerse yourself in an outdoor classroom to support science instruction while you sift through the soil! We are currently accepting applications for Garden Interns and Volunteers.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Education Outside garden volunteer position is open to any individual interested in contributing time to our school gardens with garden upkeep or assisting in classroom instruction. The garden volunteer serves a school garden site during school hours under the supervision of the Education Outside instructor.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Garden-Based Education

• Assist with inquiry-based, hands-on curriculum that the Education Outside instructor designs and leads

• Set out materials for grade-specific science lessons, cooking lessons, and help with classroom transitions

• Act as a mentor, enthusiast, and leader in modeling positive behavior and curiosity for learning

Garden Maintenance

• Water, weed, prune, propagate, transplant, cultivate, amend soil, and manage composting systems

• Help keep garden infrastructure well-maintained (toolshed, irrigation system, garden beds, structures)

• Use horticulture skills to support the growth and health of the plants with the instructor

Communication

• Build awareness and community support by doing outreach at the school with instructor

• Take pictures and/or write blog posts to feature garden lessons or garden highlights

• Communicate clearly with instructors on schedule changes, work expectations, and logging hours

OPPORTUNITIES

• Gain experience maintaining a sustainable urban school garden using horticulture skills

• Connect the school garden learning space to your area of study (science, education, health, culinary, etc.)

• Harness skills to improve our students’ learning experience in the outdoor classroom by taking on special projects (e.g. garden art, building garden structures, designing outreach flyers, cooking, etc.)

TIMEFRAME

• Opportunities are typically Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm (may differ throughout sites).

• We encourage volunteers to complete a minimum of 24 hours with us throughout the school year.

REQUIREMENTS

• Strong interest or experience in outdoor education and a passion for ecological and social justice

• Proof of fingerprinting and TB test per SFUSD policy

• Be willing to lift at least 30 lbs and to work outdoors in a variety of Bay Area microclimates

• Ability to take initiative, work independently, as well as be part of the school and garden team

• Be able and willing to commit to volunteer schedule as discussed between both volunteer and instructor

TO APPLY

Please visit www.educationoutside.org/volunteers for more information. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis.