Job Posting: Program Coordinator, Garden of Wonders/Abernethy School

Program Coordinator, Garden of Wonders at Abernethy Elementary School

Garden of Wonders Program Description The Garden of Wonders at Abernethy Elementary School plants and cultivates seeds of wonder about our food, how it grows and it's place within the larger ecosystem of our lives. Students gain hands-on experience observing, growing, harvesting and snacking in the Garden of Wonders. Student understanding of how plants grow, healthy food choices and environmental stewardship is anchored through benchmark-targeted curriculum taught, tasted and touched in the Garden classroom throughout the year. The Abernethy Scratch Kitchen completes the circle as students munch on garden grown goods and nutritious, locally sourced meals for lunch each day. The Garden of Wonders also serves as a community resource for Metro area schools and organizations interested in planting seeds for their own farm to school projects. Created in 1999, this well established Farm to School model is seeking a motivated and dedicated individual who is passionate about the educational potential of food and gardens to join the Garden of Wonders team as Program Coordinator.

Position Summary The Garden of Wonders (GOW) program at Abernethy Elementary School is led by the GOW Program Coordinator in conjunction with a the GOW parent volunteer committee. The Coordinator provides program continuity through coordination of academic programming, parent and community outreach, volunteer coordination, program history, fundraising, and resource outreach. The GOW Coordinator acts as liaison between the kitchen, classroom, school Principal, GOW program and AmeriCorps. The Coordinator represents the program to other garden and school lunch organizations locally, statewide and nationally.

General Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

1. Educational Programming Serve as AmeriCorps sponsor, providing oversight to AmeriCorps Food & Garden Educator, including initial orientation, site orientation, regular meetings, required monthly paperwork and meetings with Northwest Service Academy (NWSA).

Organize initial academic scheduling and communications with classroom teachers. Provide support for garden educator and educators further integration of GOW curriculum into homerooms.

Provide introductory educational sessions to classrooms, serve as substitute Food & Garden Educator and be available to fill-in on site when necessary. Coordinate and assist with running summer programming.

2. Fundraising Write grants and awards to support the GOW program. There will be a strong focus on grant funding to sustain and grow current programs.

3. Communications Write a weekly newsletter for the school community. Serve as liaison between GOW and principal, school staff, kitchen & community. Provide information about the GOW to the Abernethy community as well as the broader community.

Provide resources to GOW Committee for education events.

Gather, Record and Archive program press, photos, grants and program materials.

4. Outreach & Networking Form partnerships with organizations and non-profits to enhance program and create new resources. Respond to inquiries about GOW and scratch kitchen as needed.

Provide tours and share resources with schools and groups interested in starting or growing school gardens and scratch kitchens. Represent GOW/Abernethy to such organizations as Eat Think Grow, Oregon Farm to School & School Garden Network, PPS Nutrition Services, Portland Farm and Garden Educators Network and Ecotrust. Stay abreast of other community initiatives, organizations or other opportunities, which would benefit the GOW program and contribute to the growth of garden education and healthy school food in Portland and the state.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge and experience in garden-based education.

Experience working within a school environment or community organizing.

Experience in grant writing and fundraising.

An understanding and passion for the local Farm to School movement or an eagerness to learn.

Flexibility and the the ability to multi task.

Position Details

This is a part-time contract position through Abernethy Elementary School/Portland Public Schools. The contract position is for 70 hours per month (roughly 17 hours per week) compensated at $20 per hour. This contract position runs September 1, 2009 through June 2010 (with plans for continuation), with preference for a 2-3 compensated orientation in August.

How to Apply To apply, please e-mail a cover letter, resume and three references (please save as one file) to Vanessa Herald: [email protected]. Feel free to inquire with questions: 503-360-5251. Application deadline, July 16th. Vanessa Herald Program Coordinator Garden of Wonders Abernethy Elementary 2421 SE Orange St Portland, OR 97214