2008
Children’s
Garden Specialist
(Full-Time
Temporary Position)
Education
Department
Olbrich
Botanical Gardens
3330
Atwood Avenue
Madison,
Wisconsin 53704
Apply
by: February 22, 2008
Position Duration: 12 wks;
average 35 hrs/wk during most weeks; Monday through Friday starting June 2 and
ending August 22.
Number
Available:
1
PayRate: $9 per hour
Contact:
Eve J. Komosa, Director of Education
ekomosa@cityofmadison.com;
No phone calls please!!
In 2008, Olbrich
Botanical Gardens will partner with the Madison Schools and Community
Recreation’s (MSCR) Community Learning Centers (CLCs) and Youth Resource
Centers (YRCs) to present its twelfth year of Olbrich’s summer Children’s
Garden program. MSCR Youth serve as
the program’s exclusive audience. Most
MSCR students are considered underserved, as evidenced by the fact that 70%
qualify for free and reduced lunch programs.
In total, approximately 400 youth will be served by the program in 2008.
Olbrich’s
Children’s Garden provides hands-on learning for children in kindergarten
through fifth grade, as well as for high school-aged youth who act as mentors to
younger participants. The program
addresses three main issues: gardening, environmental education, and nutrition.
At Olbrich, children will learn real and meaningful connections –
connections between the soil they turn, the plants they tend, the food they eat,
and the natural world around them.
The Children’s
Garden Specialist will oversee the youth mentoring aspect of Olbrich’s
Children’s Garden program. Position
provides practical experience in planning and managing group educational
activities and teaching gardening to young, enthusiastic participants.
This position works under the supervision of the Director of Education
and the Youth and Family Program Coordinator at the Gardens.
Sublet rentals are usually available due to the close proximity of the
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Position
Responsibilities:
1.
Logistical
Arrangements:
Facilitate participation by MSCR youth, i.e.- communicate schedules and
logistical arrangements with staff of partner organizations.
Task Supervisor: Director of Education
2.
Curriculum
& Communications:
Develop training curricula emphasizing mentoring, leadership, and
teambuilding skills for mentors. Develop
other necessary communication pieces for volunteers, mentors, and staff from
participating organizations. Task Supervisor: Director of Education & Youth and Family
Program Coordinator
3.
Instruction:
Plan and conduct necessary orientation and training sessions for
volunteers and mentors. Provide
ongoing guidance and supervision to volunteers and mentors on a daily basis
during their time spent in the Children’s Garden.
Task Supervisor: Director of
Education & Youth and Family Program Coordinator
4.
Garden
Development & Maintenance:
Collaborate with Children’s Garden Specialist/Education Coordinator; and
Horticulture Staff to plan, prepare, plant, and maintain the physical garden
space for the Children’s Garden program.
Task Supervisor: Director of
Education
5.
Grant
Compliance & Donor & Public Relations: Provide
information and hospitality to program donors during visits and other
communications. Remain mindful of
garden appearance and public perceptions at all times.
Task Supervisor: Director of Education
6.
Program
Wrap-Up:
Collaborate with Children’s Garden Specialist/Education Coordinator and
Horticulture Staff to prepare final report reflecting the 2008 program.
Task Supervisor: Director of
Education
Qualifications:
1.
Major or degree in education, horticultural therapy, social work, or
related scholastic program. (Environmental studies, horticulture, etc.)
2.
Project management experience.
3.
Minimum of one year of experience working with children in a group
setting.
4.
Ability to display confident, flexible, fair, energetic, and positive
attitude while working with youth and volunteers.
5.
Ability to work as a team player and effectively collaborate with
Children’s Garden Specialist – Elementary Education on a daily basis.
6.
Ability to take a great degree of initiative and make independent
decisions on a daily basis.
7.
Comfort seeking assistance from superiors when needed, and comfort
accepting constructive feedback on a frequent basis.
8.
Ability to organize work time very effectively, particularly in relation
to set deadlines, shared daily computer time, recurrent garden maintenance, and
strictly defined prep time versus teaching time.
9.
Ability and willingness to work in hot, humid conditions in direct sun
for up to four hours at a time on a daily basis.
10.
Willingness to submit personal information for a criminal background
check, as well as ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.
11.
Horticulture and/or gardening experience is preferred but not
required.
Skills Acquired
- The Children’s Garden
Specialist will gain, or further
develop, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
1.
Knowledge of organic vegetable and flower gardening principles and
techniques.
2.
Ability to develop curricula designed to teach teenagers how to provide
mentoring to elementary-aged youth.
3.
Ability to instruct teenage youth in mentoring of elementary-aged youth.
4.
Further development of project management abilities.
5.
Knowledge and understanding of attitudes and ethics underlying operation
of a public botanical garden.
To
Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial is
fine), Olbrich’s
1.
Describe any project management
experience you have. What skills
have you gained from this/these experience(s)?
2.
Describe your past experience
working with children in a group setting. What skills have you gained from this/these experience(s)?
