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Local Education and Outreach Teaching Specialist

Oak Spring Garden Foundation
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The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (“OSGF”) is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation based in Upperville, Virginia with a mission to perpetuate and share Rachel Lambert Mellon’s home, garden, estate and library to serve the public interest. The Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating scholarship and public dialogue on the history and future of plants, including the culture of gardens and landscapes and the importance of plants for human well-being. For additional information, please visit www.osgf.org. 

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

OSGF seeks a creative, energetic, and enthusiastic Teaching Specialist to join the OSGF Local Education and Outreach (LEO) team.The primary goal of this position is to support the LEO team by curating and leading programming reflecting the unique OSGF Landscape. This programming would include “all things plants”, such as farm-to-table cooking programs, sustainable farming and gardening, botany, agriscience, historic uses of plants, crafting with plants, natural resource conservation, and many other plant based educational programs and skills. 

The Teaching Specialist should be a self-starter who can help design and implement educational programs and create lessons that leverage OSGF’s unique resources, including the Biocultural Conservation Farm (BCCF), the Library, Gardens, and Landscape. This is a fast-paced position that works closely with youth and seniors, both on and offsite, both outdoors in the elements and indoors in a classroom setting. The individual should excel at working with community members of all ages, be comfortable speaking in public, and be passionate about plants, the outdoors, community, and education.  The position requires a 40 hour work week with some evening and weekend programs.

 

Schedule: Full-time (40-hours/week).

Compensation: Starting salary is dependent on experience. Paid holidays, vacation and sick days are provided, as well as optional health/vision/dental insurance and a 403(b) package.

Location: Upperville, VA; The Oak Spring estate is located in rural northern Virginia, 15 minutes from the nearest town and approximately 1 hour west of DC.

To Apply: We will begin reviewing applications immediately on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply quickly. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to hr@osgf.org with the subject line “LEO Teaching Specialist”.

 

ABOUT OSGF + BCCF/LEO PROGRAM

The 700-acre Oak Spring estate is located in Upperville, VA, nestled in the Virginia Piedmont between the Blue Ridge and Bull Run mountains. The Foundation’s mission is to support fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the culture of gardens and landscapes, and the importance of plants for human well-being. More specifically, the LEO program:

  • Was established in July of 2022.
  • Provides programming for Fauquier and surrounding communities. 
  • Educational engagement is far-reaching, including both youth (K-12) and populations of focus, such as senior citizens. 
  • Goals are to continue building the OSGF LEO team to provide educational opportunities related to plants, agriculture, and the environment through engaging lessons and programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide support to the LEO Director and Assistant Director of Education to ensure a safe and stimulating educational environment.
  • Assist the LEO team in planning and preparation for daily activities; aid the instructional efforts of the teachers.
  • Prepare lesson agendas, objectives, materials, and formal lesson plans for assigned programs. 
  • Plan, prepare, and develop teaching aids for classroom use, including activity sheets, drawings, and similar handouts using CANVA.
  • Present subject matter to children or populations of focus, utilizing various methods including stories, games, demonstrations, projects, discussions, and role-playing.
  • Lead OSGF outreach activities on and off-site. 
  • Provide instruction to children or seniors, individually or in groups, that satisfies learning objectives.
  • Assist with growing and harvesting instructional materials throughout the OSGF property.
  • Maintain teaching and learning environments.
  • May lead, guide, and train employees, interns, and volunteers performing related work.
  • Correspond with participating community partners.
  • Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
  • Collaborate with other OSGF departments on projects related to outreach programs.
  • As time permits, work on the farm with the BCCF team to gain experience in, and understand, the different areas of the farm, which will be essential for developing educational and outreach materials that relate to the BCCF. Tasks may include: harvesting produce, weeding, planting, harvesting and processing seed, etc.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A broad understanding of plants, agriculture, and horticulture, and how these subjects overlap with the arts, humanities, and sciences.
  • Experience assisting with educational programs- formal or informal settings.
  • A friendly demeanor and a demonstrated ability to work with diverse community and/or student groups.
  • An interest in developing programs that highlight or work in support of the educational content currently offered at local schools and/or organizations.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent time management skills.
  • Ability to exhibit safe and responsible conduct in an indoor or outdoor classroom environment.
  • A dependable, collaborative, and solution-oriented team player.
  • Proficient with both Microsoft and Google products.
  • Ability to lift at least 50lb.
  • Comfortable working outside, in varied weather conditions (including extreme head and cold, and exposure to stinging and biting insects and animals) in a rural setting.
  • Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without OSGF’s sponsorship.
  • Must have a Driver’s License and a reliable method of transportation to and from work.

 

TO APPLY

We will begin reviewing applications immediately on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply quickly. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to hr@osgf.org with the subject line “LEO Teaching Specialist”.

 

Oak Spring Garden Foundation is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ancestry, disability, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.