Urbana School District #116

TITLE:  Garden Coordinator

LOCATION: Dr. Preston L. Williams, Jr. Elementary School 

SUPERVISOR: Teaching and Learning Department; co-coordinated with F2S Leadership Team including Sola Gratia Farm and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

JOB SUMMARY:  Garden Coordinator(s) will support sustainable garden development and use by school teachers and students.  Each Coordinator will also lead the Edible Grow Space committee at their school.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  

• Lead school-specific Garden Committee and coordinate regular meetings. 
• Manage school gardens according to comprehensive garden safety manual including food safety, physical safety and environmental safety components
• Manage school garden according to garden management plans for soil health, efficient water use, pests, and weeds
• Maintain records for traceability purposes including: grow space participation/work log and harvest log
• Maintain flow-chart and contact list for grow space management roles and responsibilities
• Co-develop summer management plan for edible grow spaces, which could include: summer programming (summer school, summer camps, USD 116 student internship or work opportunities, Future Farmers of America student projects) and community volunteer opportunities
• Include global edible crops that will grow in Zone 5b, including identification of specific planting/harvest times that correspond with the school year and whether these crops meet USDA standards for inclusion in school meals/snacks
• Co-develop survey for USD community (students, parents/guardians, staff) about specific edible crops they would like to be grown in the edible grow spaces
• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the district administration and/or F2S Leadership Team. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of schools and education terminology
• Experience in education, nutrition, environmental science, or agriculture
• Experience working with youth in an educational setting 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience and ability to work with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds 
• Passion for inspiring healthful eating among youth and for promoting local, sustainable agriculture is a plus.  

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 3-8 hours per week; up to 50 weeks per year but most hours between April and November

START DATE:  As soon as possible

NOTE: This is not a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position. 

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED:  December 2021