Summer Site Educator - CitySprouts Green Team

About CitySprouts & the Summer Green Team:

The CitySprouts mission is to cultivate curiosity and wonder in students through hands-on science learning in their own schoolyard gardens. Established in 2001, CitySprouts’ in-school and out-of-school time programs currently operate in partnership with 24 Boston and Cambridge public schools.

The Green Team Summer Program is a 5-week program for rising 5th - 8th graders based in a school garden in either Cambridge and Boston. Each program site has a cohort of youth and is facilitated by a team of 3 educators.Through hands-on activities and getting outside, youth explore nature, participate in STEM activities, and build a sense of community. The program prioritizes young people who are historically marginalized, economically disadvantaged, and/or youth of color, and is free to all participants. Upon completion of the program youth participants receive a certificate and stipend to compensate them for their work in maintaining the garden.

Position Summary:

CitySprouts is seeking energetic, highly-motivated individuals to lead our summer gardening programs in Cambridge and Boston. Educators will be placed into teams to lead cohorts of youth (ages 11-14) in engaging and interactive activities focused around gardening, cooking, STEM concepts, and urban green spaces. The position duration is from June 25th - August 11th; the program will run July 6th - August 7th from 9:00 - 2:00 Monday - Fridays, with training beforehand and two days of cleanup and evaluation after program end. The position reports to the CitySprouts Senior Program Manager.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a resume and brief cover letter highlighting their experience and reason for interest in this position to Alex Frank at afrank@citysprouts.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning March 16.

Responsibilities:

• Act as an educator and mentor at a program site overseeing youth ages 10-14
• Work collaboratively with a team of educators to deliver provided gardening, STEM, nutrition, and SEL curriculum throughout the program
• Facilitate an inclusive and welcoming environment for all youth to build community together.
• Oversee the program’s garden maintenance at the assigned site with support from the Garden Operations Manager
• Travel with youth on weekly field trips throughout the city; ensure youth safety while using public transit, on-site at field trips, and throughout program hours
• Communicate with participants’ families to provide updates on program experiences as assigned
• Record youth attendance, program logs, and other key reporting information as assigned
• Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience facilitating youth programming, especially in an outdoor setting
• Proven capacity to work in a multicultural workforce, including sensitivity and competency in working with individuals and groups of diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle backgrounds
• Ability to collaborate and work as part of a dynamic team of educators
• Ability to do physical work outside
• Strong interpersonal skills including excellent listening, public speaking, oral and written communications skills
• Working knowledge of sustainable gardening practices; gardening experience preferred
• Experience working with middle-school aged youth strongly preferred
• Experience working in Boston and Cambridge communities strongly preferred
• Fluency in Spanish, French, or other language in addition to English preferred
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, inclusivity, and a commitment to and passion for the CitySprouts mission

CitySprouts recognizes that some individuals’ experiences and qualifications may not lie within the listed requirements. We believe a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and perspectives make us a stronger and healthier organization, and encourage any interested party to apply and demonstrate how their experience aligns with the responsibilities of this position.

EEO Statement: CitySprouts does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or citizenship in any of its programs. It is CitySprouts’ policy to maintain a safe, educational and engaging work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form.

This seasonal summer program position does not include benefits.