The GCC Stewardship Educator will support the Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) School Clean & Green program. Serving as the lead instructor for school groups, the Educator works primarily with the GCC Education Coordinator, Horticultural Manager, and Education Director to carry out the program.

School Clean & Green Program Description
Students visit GCC during the school year to learn about the Gowanus Canal and participate outdoor stewardship activities at the Salt Lot on 2nd Ave, the program site for volunteer stewardship and education programs.

In 90 minute sessions, students in grades K-12 propagate plants in our native plant nursery or care for street trees and rain gardens. These outdoor service-learning sessions introduce students to the Gowanus Canal, its polluted history, and steps to making a healthier ecosystem through stewardship. The stewardship activity is contingent upon seasonal maintenance needs and includes supplemental hands-on lessons and activities focused on seeds, plants, water or soil.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Education Coordinator and Horticulture Manager to plan and deliver stewardship activities and lesson for each school group (20-35 students)
• Serve as the lead instructor for school groups with instructional support from at least two other staff
• Lesson planning (using GCC curriculum) and materials prep
• Lead site prep and clean up
• Participate in a staff training, orientation and program evaluation meetings

Qualifications

• Experience in horticulture, and / or experience in a combination of related fields such as tree stewardship and composting
• Experience teaching students in outdoor field work settings and with a variety of grade levels (K-12)
• Experience managing staff and volunteers in the field
• Passion for cultivating environmental stewardship and volunteerism among youth
• Enjoys working outside and manual labor (can lift up to 40 pounds) and in various weather conditions

Schedule
Seasonal Fall 2018 contract with potential for renewal in April 2019. The program takes place on Wednesdays (maximum two sessions per Wednesday) late September-November (~10-12 total school groups in the Fall).

Compensation
This is a part-time position, $25-$35 an hour, contingent on demonstrated experience. Contractor is compensated per school session at the hourly rate X 5 hours (which includes prep and planning), e.g., 1 school visit X $25 an hour = $125, plus additional paid time for training and evaluation meetings.