Urban Garden Educator

Urban Garden Educator

Overview:
Since 1985, The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Growing Good program has served as a vital youth development program for pre-kindergarten to high school students in the Twin Cities Metro. Join a team of educators developing inclusive, positive youth experiences with plants. The Growing Good team and community partners grow food in urban gardens and engage residents with hands-on learning activities.

Plant/garden resource and support for Growing Good Team and Community (50%)

• Work with community partners, Children's Garden in Residence team, and the Growing Good Leadership team to provide garden resources and support for programming.
• Provide education facilitation of youth internship teams as requested.
• Schedule program Volunteers and Farm at the Arb trainees to assist with gardening tasks at Growing Good partner gardens.
• Mentor 1-2 Farm at the Arb trainee(s) at the Growing Good partner gardens for their internship
• Attend weekly Growing Good team meetings as requested.
• Develop planting plans for Children's Garden in Residence gardens.

Farm at the Arboretum Sustainable Horticulture program support (30%)

• Demonstrate vegetable growing skills to small groups of adult learners at the Arboretum.
• Lead hands-on instruction in vegetable production, tool maintenance, and seasonal planting and harvesting in early spring and late fall.
• Assist Program Manager with preparation for instruction, site clean up, food safety records, produce distribution and trainee field trips.

Garden Care (20%)

• Responsible for maintaining Arboretum quality gardens at community partner sites.
• Prep gardens for planting at the beginning of each growing season.
• Purchase plant materials and supplies for programs.
• Weed, water and plant crops to fit with lesson plans throughout the growing season.
• Determine weekly and seasonal garden priorities, projects and resources with Growing Good Leadership team.
• Organize and lead fall garden cleanup at all Growing Good garden sites.

WORK SCHEDULE: position February-October 80% 32 hours/week. Office primarily at the UMN Urban Research Outreach and Engagement Center (UROC) campus in North Minneapolis. Supports many UMN resident staff, including 3-8 arboretum staff (varies by season)

Required Qualifications

• BA / BS in related fields or a combination of education and experience equal to at least 4 years.
• Experience working in diverse cultural settings
• Strong communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• Experience working with youth and/or adults in an informal and/or non-formal education setting
• Extensive knowledge of vegetable and ornamental annual plants well adapted to Twin Cities climate
• Successful completion of mandatory background check
• Drivers license

Preferred Qualifications

• Established network of contacts with local greenhouse and garden supply industry
• Minimum of one year garden maintenance experience
• Garden design experience

Pay Range: $21.00 - $22.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).