Early Childhood Garden Educator Internship

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Garden Educator Internship

COMPENSATION: $15-20/hour based on experience 

HOURS:  15-20 hours per week teaching and tending school gardens during the school year: September-November and April-May. Garden tending June-August. Potential for growth as we expand our Preschool Programs. 

LOCATION: Early Childhood Learning Centers in the School District of Lancaster and Columbia Borough

REPORTS TO: Bethany Nissley, Early Childhood Garden Education Manager & Instructor 

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Support the mission of The Edible Classroom. 

2. Co-Lead preschool students in weekly planting, tending, harvesting activities. 

3. Co-Lead preschool students in the preparation of fresh garden snacks. 

4. Tend: water and maintain the physical gardens

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

SKILLS: 

1. Comfortable leading 15- 20 preschool students in garden activities. 

2. Able to lift 30 lbs., stand, kneel and bend over for 20 minutes at a time. 

3. Eager to learn and teach preschool concepts of seed to harvest, food science, math, discovery, and environmental stewardship in a garden context. 

4. Good interpersonal skills...able to communicate with adults and students alike and able to address normal behavioral issues with students. 

5. Problem-solving skills to address typical classroom behavior and adapt lesson plans as needed 

6. Ability to develop and follow a structured weekly schedule, balancing instructional time with hands-on garden activities. 

7. Basic gardening skills or willingness to learn, including watering, weeding, harvesting, pruning, and general plant care.

8. Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

9. Organized, dependable, and able to follow a garden tending schedule and document completed work and follow-up needs.

10. Able to take initiative and recognize garden needs without needing detailed direction.

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EXPERIENCE: 

1. Experience with preschoolers is a must. 

2. Associate or bachelor’s Degree preferred. 

3. Gardening experience is required. 

4. Spanish Language experience is helpful. 

CLEARANCES: Child Line Child Abuse Clearances, PA State Criminal History Report, FBI Fingerprinting Clearance, NSOR