Horticultural Trainer

WRD Environmental, an ecological design/build firm that creates and fosters environmentally responsible landscapes, is seeking a Horticultural Trainer to work with the Greencorps Chicago Program. Greencorps Chicago (GCC) is the City of Chicago Department of Environment's community greening and job training program run in partnership with WRD Environmental.

Greencorps Chicago's mission is to promote environmental stewardship and improve the quality of life by establishing natural spaces that are safe, healthy and sustainable through hands-on involvement with trainees and community partners. GCC aims to improve Chicago's quality of life by creating awareness, building commitment, developing expertise and providing the resources necessary to establish community gardens and green spaces.

Position Overview: 

The Horticultural Trainer will spend the majority of their time teaching horticulture and landscape practices to trainees in Greencorps green job training program. Training will be predominantly in the classroom, but should include outdoor activities, field trips and be reinforced during field projects.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the Horticultural Trainer include:

• Develop new or modify existing curriculum;
• Create activities and lessons to engage trainees in the classroom and field training;
• Train in horticulture, landscape and related fields;
• Prepare trainees with knowledge to complete field projects;
• Teach curriculum and scheduled refreshers; Schedule and lead relevant field trips;
• Arrange for outside trainers and speakers where appropriate;
• Adhere to a training schedule & maintain spreadsheets for tracking trainee progress; Compile an evaluation report of individual trainee progress;
• Reinforce lessons in the field;
• Assist with special projects and events, such as plant distribution days;
• As a GCC team member exhibit appropriate interpersonal skills to support a positive workplace environment;
• Take on other tasks as needed;

Qualifications: 

Qualifications for this position include:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Horticulture or a directly related field supplemented by 1 year of progressively responsible experience in landscaping or an equivalent combination of training and experience is required;
• Experience teaching in a classroom setting, adult education work experience a plus;
• Ability to work with a diverse population;
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and internet;
• Willing to work an irregular work week, (generally, 8:30-4:30) and 2 months out of the year Tuesday-Saturday;
• Salary range of $40,000 to $45,000 pending experience (currently poised as a 2-year position).

Deadline: Resumes accepted until January 15, 2010.  

To Apply: 

Please submit resume to: WRD Environmental, Inc., Attn: Roxann Salinas. Email is preferred, but for faxes please consider the environment and make faxes concise to avoid paper waste.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

WRD Environmental is an Equal Opportunity Employer