Garden Instructor

Salary: $700/week

GARDEN INSTRUCTOR

Position Description

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION: Our mission is to bring out the limitless potential in young leaders through extraordinary experiences and nurturing relationships.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Garden Instructor’s goal is to instill an awareness of food and nature and connection to the earth. The main objective of the garden program is to promote growing and consuming fruits and vegetables as a way to be good to yourself and the planet and provide a space for creative expression through meal preparation.

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY 

• Provide age-appropriate garden classes to campers prioritizing hands-on activities focused on basic skills and knowledge from seed to harvest to table, including an emphasis on sensory experiences and garden produce tastings and snacking. 
• Complete participation notes and attendance notes daily for all campers who attended programming in the garden.
• Responsible for all garden maintenance activities, including; planting, weeding, watering and all necessary care to ensure a productive and beautiful teaching garden environment.
• Supervise and guide Leadership Trainee Interns as they work on their facilitation and youth development skills. 
• Communicate and collaborate with kitchen staff on providing a modest volume of vegetables and herbs for culinary use in the camp food service, as appropriate.
• If living on-site, actively participate in camp life and programming outside of garden activities including evening activities, theme days, bus duty, and more.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This position is compensated at a rate of $700 per week, pre-tax.
• Our summer seasonal staff are paid on a bi-weekly basis and are classified as exempt, seasonal employees.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• At PEAK we believe: every living being has inherent value, the community is better when everyone contributes, we can only grow when we are honest about our mistakes, and everyone has the power to change their world.
• Experience and excitement about caring for gardens and plants.
• Interested in teaching youth about nutrition and cooking skills.
• Belief that with the right support and access to quality programs and experiences, all young people are able to achieve at the highest level imaginable. 
• Enthusiasm about new experiences and ability to self-manage to bring a consistent level of energy all summer long.

REQUIREMENTS & CERTIFICATIONS

• Availability: assigned shift of 8-10 hours per day Monday-Friday, and additional hours when necessary.

• The camp season runs from early June to mid August. The Garden Instructor may extend their contract beginning early May through mid October.
• If living on site, must be able to live in shared staff housing.

• Current age-appropriate CPR, AED and First Aid Certification (PEAK will provide during staff training if needed)
• Must be at least 18 to apply. 

REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS

• The Garden Instructor reports to the Assistant Director of Camp Programs & Expeditions with feedback and guidance from the Garden Consultant
• The Garden Instructor will support and guide LT Interns while they are working in the garden
  
  

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS 

• The camp environment is often hot or rainy. The garden has shade but requires many hours of manual labor a week. You must be able to work outside for sustained periods of time without air conditioning.
• Position requires standing, stooping, sitting, walking long distances in hilly terrain, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds with or without assistance. 
• Position requires working weekends and nights, with time off in between camp sessions. Camp days are often long and at times require late night camper support. Staff will have daily scheduled breaks.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

PEAK Initiative is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.