School Garden Program Director

The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) is seeking a new School Garden Program Director. OAEC is a non-profit educational institute working in the areas of ecology, watershed restoration, horticulture, the arts, and social justice activism. OAEC is located on an 80-acre retreat facility and intentional community, 65 miles north of San Francisco in western Sonoma County, California.

Position Overview:

Direct all aspects of an established, highly successful program that promotes and teaches ecological literacy to K-12 students and school communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, statewide and beyond through school garden projects and related curriculum. Coordinate the expansion of the program to train other regional centers around the U.S. using the OAEC program model.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and teach 5 day summer residential School Garden Teacher Trainings
• Coordinate follow-up support for participating schools, including hosting 1 day Skills Workshops, conducting site visits, providing consultation and creating resource newsletters
• Update and develop training and media materials (print and web-based), including brochures, syllabi, application materials, articles, etc.
• Maintain OAEC's school garden library, curriculum and other resources
• Work with OAEC's School Garden Committee and other staff on program planning and evaluation
• Develop program work plan and budget
• Assist OAEC development staff with content and data for grant proposals and reports
• Present at meetings and conferences throughout California and beyond
• Maintain existing relationships and develop new, strategic partnerships with other school garden-related organizations, including membership on boards and advisory committees
• Collaborate with San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance on program development
• Provide periodic tours at OAEC for schools and school-related groups
• Lead a statewide and/or national expansion of the program to satisfy increased, non-Bay Area demand
• In collaboration with OAEC staff, develop and implement a national School Garden Program Centers Project to develop and train other regional centers based on OAEC's proven model
• Fulfill other responsibilities as an OAEC staff member including participating in staff meetings and annual planning process, and supporting the organization's overall success

Qualifications:

• Several years of program development in a non-profit setting
• Substantial experience in garden-based education and curriculum development
• Excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills
• Undergraduate degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Education or related field, or equivalent related experience
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Willingness to travel

We are looking for someone who is flexible and energetic to accommodate the dynamic process of a growing non-profit, and to help lead the expansion of the School Garden Program.

We celebrate diversity, use consensus decision-making processes, and are committed to maintaining a supportive, diverse, honest and open working environment.

Compensation: This is a full-time, non-residential position. Salary is up to $40,000 per year, depending on experience. OAEC offers a generous vacation plan and a Cafeteria Plan with health care options, but does not offer paid health insurance. Staff can participate in OAEC courses and events free of charge, use the OAEC facilities (pond, hot tub, sauna, etc.), harvest produce from our gardens, and eat meals at OAEC when working.

To Apply:

Please refer to OAEC for a complete Job Description, and for background on OAEC and the School Garden Program. We are accepting applications until 5:00pm, Friday, March 30, 2012. Early application is encouraged. Qualified applicants please email a cover letter, resume, and list of current references to Lisa Preschel. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

OAEC is committed to equal employment opportunities. We do not discriminate based on an individual's race, sex, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or on any other basis prohibited by law.