Job Opening | Farm Manager, Atascadero Unified School District Farm
One Cool Earth is a non-profit organization with programs in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Our program, Earth Genius, works with schools to champion garden education as a way of teaching students hands-on skills, science, nutrition, technology, and environmental literacy. This position is specifically designed to maintain the Atascadero Unified School District Farm, under the direction of the Farm Director, Brandon Sanders.
Locations: next to San Benito Elementary School, Atascadero
Start Date: Nov. 1st, 2021
Hours/Duration: Part-time, average of 10 hrs hours per week
Preferred Qualifications
The Farm Manager is self-directed and a self-starter working alongside the Farm Director to:
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ability to perform farm labor tasks, including digging, carrying, stooping, weeding, reaching, walking on varied terrain, and lifting and carrying materials and potted plants weighing up to 50 lbs.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: The applicant must possess a valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle with proof of insurance, and be able to pass a background check and TB test to work at schools;
Compensation & Benefits: Be part of a growing, mission-driven team; Change children’s lives for the better; Flexible scheduling; Optional 401(k); $17/hour DOE;
To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter to both McKenna Lenhart at mckennal@onecoolearth.org and Brandon Sanders at brandons@onecoolearth.org
Locations: next to San Benito Elementary School, Atascadero
Start Date: Nov. 1st, 2021
Hours/Duration: Part-time, average of 10 hrs hours per week
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in interaction with youth, preferably in an outdoor environment.
- Familiarity and confidence working in a farm or garden, or strong motivation to learn in a hands-on environment;
- Formal education or significant experience in Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Master Gardener, Agro-ecology or equivalent a plus.
- Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work independently and be self-directed
- Able to work with people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
- Creative, flexible and hard working; able to manage your commitments responsibly;
- Enjoy learning new things and challenging yourself;
- A good sense of humor, wonder, and curiosity;
- Bilingual – English & Spanish (preferred but not required)
- Proficiency with Google Docs and Google Calendar
The Farm Manager is self-directed and a self-starter working alongside the Farm Director to:
- Accomplish Farm tasks such as planting, harvesting, weeding, fertilizing, etc.
- Take instruction from the Farm Director, and be able to work independently.
- General pest control and monitoring
- Field Preparation and crop quality control
- Irrigation System Maintenance
- Harvest and distribute food to the cafeteria
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ability to perform farm labor tasks, including digging, carrying, stooping, weeding, reaching, walking on varied terrain, and lifting and carrying materials and potted plants weighing up to 50 lbs.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: The applicant must possess a valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle with proof of insurance, and be able to pass a background check and TB test to work at schools;
Compensation & Benefits: Be part of a growing, mission-driven team; Change children’s lives for the better; Flexible scheduling; Optional 401(k); $17/hour DOE;
To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter to both McKenna Lenhart at mckennal@onecoolearth.org and Brandon Sanders at brandons@onecoolearth.org
Executive Director - 0.5 FTE
Nonprofit One Cool Earth is a team of passionate, talented employees, dedicated community volunteers, and local public schools. We believe that every child deserves a place to grow. We recognize that school gardens are proven, impactful educational tools. We have developed a county-wide school garden network with on-the-ground educators that enhance learning in just about any subject at 23 schools (K-12). We have seen our program impact students positively in the following areas: healthy eating, science, language arts, environmental stewardship, wellness through mindfulness, stress reduction and sensory awareness. We seek a dedicated and passionate Executive Director to lead 2 full-time and 11 part-time team members in carrying out our mission.
Goal: The Executive Director will lead the advancement of school garden programs within San Luis Obispo County’s public schools, aiming to support thriving school gardens at all 43 elementary schools in SLO County.
Location: San Luis Obispo County, CA - many of our schools are located in Atascadero, though we serve schools in Arroyo Grande, Oceano, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Cambria
Timeline: Onboarding completed by June 2022 and ready to lead the 2022/2023 school year team.
Training & Onboarding: Onboarding will be completed by the leadership team and current board members.
Preferred Qualifications
Roles & Responsibilities
The executive director will:
Supervision & Support: The Executive Director will answer to the Board of Directors and will meet with all team members on a regular basis to plan and coordinate work as well as share successes and challenges.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ability to perform normal garden tasks, including digging, carrying, stooping, weeding, reaching, walking on varied terrain, and lifting and carrying materials and potted plants weighing up to 20 lbs.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: The applicant must possess a valid driver's license, a reliable vehicle with proof of insurance at the levels required by our insurance carrier, and be able to pass a background check and TB test to work at schools;
Compensation & Benefits: Be part of a growing, mission-driven team; change children's lives for the better; flexible scheduling and remote work options; 401k; Role is .5 FTE and pay in the $40k to $45k range; competitive raises based on performance.
To Apply: Please send your resume, a cover letter, and three professional references to board@onecoolearth.org and maria@onecoolearth.org with “Executive Director Application” in the subject line.
Goal: The Executive Director will lead the advancement of school garden programs within San Luis Obispo County’s public schools, aiming to support thriving school gardens at all 43 elementary schools in SLO County.
Location: San Luis Obispo County, CA - many of our schools are located in Atascadero, though we serve schools in Arroyo Grande, Oceano, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Cambria
Timeline: Onboarding completed by June 2022 and ready to lead the 2022/2023 school year team.
Training & Onboarding: Onboarding will be completed by the leadership team and current board members.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven ability to build partnerships and expand program impact. Ability to work with stakeholders from multiple sectors, especially schools, businesses, community members, and other nonprofits.
- Fundraising is integral to the role of the ED in partnership with the Board of Directors and the Grants and Contracts Manager to assist with providing strategy and tracking.
- At least 3 years demonstrated leadership experience working in a nonprofit, school or government agency (with a focus in education, environment, and/or agriculture strongly preferred).
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required with advanced degree in relevant field preferred.
- Knowledgeable about public schools, nonprofits, and school gardens.
- Passionate about health, environment and education issues related to school gardens.
- Experienced in program or project management and staff supervision. Experience with program evaluation preferred.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, public speaking ability, materials development and media outreach.
- Responsive communication (email, phone, text) required to support a team and our community partners.
- Highly organized with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, deadlines and project responsibilities.
- Team player who works well with others as well as independently.
- Technical fluency in Google Drive, Calendar, Gmail required.
- Spanish proficiency is a plus.
Roles & Responsibilities
The executive director will:
- Lead strategic planning with our team and partners, keeping an up-to-date logic model based on available resources and best practices to guide the realization of our vision.
- Coordinate the implementation of the strategic plan working with our team of staff, volunteers, and partners.
- Create a positive work environment and culture for our staff through good and regular communication, evaluations, annual trainings, professional development, and regular on-the-ground involvement in our programming.
- Oversee the implementation of grants and assure compliance with grant objectives and alignment with strategic plan.
- Evaluate our program impact using qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Maintain existing relationships with 23+ schools.
- Develop partnerships to expand school gardening and improve impact.
- Work with the Grants and Contracts manager and Operations manager to identify and establish funding streams as well as to coordinate grant objectives with the strategic plan and provide necessary reporting content.
- Develop and maintain an annual operating budget of $300,000+.
- Provide on-the-ground support for staff in implementation of programs as needed.
Supervision & Support: The Executive Director will answer to the Board of Directors and will meet with all team members on a regular basis to plan and coordinate work as well as share successes and challenges.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ability to perform normal garden tasks, including digging, carrying, stooping, weeding, reaching, walking on varied terrain, and lifting and carrying materials and potted plants weighing up to 20 lbs.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: The applicant must possess a valid driver's license, a reliable vehicle with proof of insurance at the levels required by our insurance carrier, and be able to pass a background check and TB test to work at schools;
Compensation & Benefits: Be part of a growing, mission-driven team; change children's lives for the better; flexible scheduling and remote work options; 401k; Role is .5 FTE and pay in the $40k to $45k range; competitive raises based on performance.
To Apply: Please send your resume, a cover letter, and three professional references to board@onecoolearth.org and maria@onecoolearth.org with “Executive Director Application” in the subject line.
Garden Educator Manager - Posting Closed
One Cool Earth is a non-profit organization with programs in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Our program, Earth Genius, works with schools to champion garden education as a way of teaching students hands-on skills, science, nutrition, technology, and environmental literacy.
Locations: Arroyo Grande, Shell Beach, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Guadalupe and Oceano
Start Date: 2021 - 2022 school year, training August 12
Hours/Duration: Part-time, 10-30 hours per week dependant on your availability
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading groups of children, preferably in an outdoor environment.
Familiarity and confidence working in a garden, or strong motivation to learn in a hands-on environment;
Formal education or significant experience in nutrition, environmental studies, Master Gardener, permaculture or equivalent a plus.
Excellent rapport with children, with at least one year experience in educational settings (summer camps, Sprout Up!, etc.);
Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills;
Ability to work independently and be self-directed
Able to work with people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
Creative, flexible and hard working; able to manage your commitments responsibly;
Enjoy learning new things and challenging yourself;
A good sense of humor, wonder, and curiosity;
Desired Skills
Bilingual – English & Spanish (preferred but not required)
Proficiency with Google Docs and Google Calendar
Primary Responsibilities
The Garden Educator-Manager is self-directed and a self-starter working alongside the Program Manager and Executive Director to:
Improve student science understanding by providing engaging, standards-based projects, experiments, and lessons based on ecology, earth, and life sciences, especially on the subjects of watersheds, food forests, and zero waste;
Increase student knowledge of food cycle, interest in growing fresh fruits and vegetables, and willingness to try new fruits and vegetables;
Teach engaging garden lessons (30 - 60 min.) to 25 students at a time (3 to 6 classes per day);
Work effectively with teachers to coordinate curriculum and classroom instruction in the garden;
Work effectively with community members, volunteers and others to coordinate the ongoing administration of the school gardens;
Maintain accurate and timely garden records and reports;
Provide basic maintenance for gardens: planting, weeding, pruning, composting, minor irrigation adjustments and repairs;
Communicate effectively with the Program Manager and meet performance expectations
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ability to perform normal garden tasks, including digging, carrying, stooping, weeding, reaching, walking on varied terrain, and lifting and carrying materials and potted plants weighing up to 50 lbs.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: The applicant must possess a valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle with proof of insurance, and be able to pass a background check and TB test to work at schools;
Compensation & Benefits: Be part of a growing, mission-driven team; Change children’s lives for the better; Flexible scheduling; Optional 401(k); $14/hour DOE;
To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter to Mckenna Lenhart, Program Manager at mckennal@onecoolearth.org. Filled on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Locations: Arroyo Grande, Shell Beach, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Guadalupe and Oceano
Start Date: 2021 - 2022 school year, training August 12
Hours/Duration: Part-time, 10-30 hours per week dependant on your availability
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading groups of children, preferably in an outdoor environment.
Familiarity and confidence working in a garden, or strong motivation to learn in a hands-on environment;
Formal education or significant experience in nutrition, environmental studies, Master Gardener, permaculture or equivalent a plus.
Excellent rapport with children, with at least one year experience in educational settings (summer camps, Sprout Up!, etc.);
Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills;
Ability to work independently and be self-directed
Able to work with people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
Creative, flexible and hard working; able to manage your commitments responsibly;
Enjoy learning new things and challenging yourself;
A good sense of humor, wonder, and curiosity;
Desired Skills
Bilingual – English & Spanish (preferred but not required)
Proficiency with Google Docs and Google Calendar
Primary Responsibilities
The Garden Educator-Manager is self-directed and a self-starter working alongside the Program Manager and Executive Director to:
Improve student science understanding by providing engaging, standards-based projects, experiments, and lessons based on ecology, earth, and life sciences, especially on the subjects of watersheds, food forests, and zero waste;
Increase student knowledge of food cycle, interest in growing fresh fruits and vegetables, and willingness to try new fruits and vegetables;
Teach engaging garden lessons (30 - 60 min.) to 25 students at a time (3 to 6 classes per day);
Work effectively with teachers to coordinate curriculum and classroom instruction in the garden;
Work effectively with community members, volunteers and others to coordinate the ongoing administration of the school gardens;
Maintain accurate and timely garden records and reports;
Provide basic maintenance for gardens: planting, weeding, pruning, composting, minor irrigation adjustments and repairs;
Communicate effectively with the Program Manager and meet performance expectations
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ability to perform normal garden tasks, including digging, carrying, stooping, weeding, reaching, walking on varied terrain, and lifting and carrying materials and potted plants weighing up to 50 lbs.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: The applicant must possess a valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle with proof of insurance, and be able to pass a background check and TB test to work at schools;
Compensation & Benefits: Be part of a growing, mission-driven team; Change children’s lives for the better; Flexible scheduling; Optional 401(k); $14/hour DOE;
To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter to Mckenna Lenhart, Program Manager at mckennal@onecoolearth.org. Filled on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.