Lead Educator – “Rad! Traditions” & “EcoTots”

DEPARTMENT: Education

REPORTS TO: Gregory Foster, Education Director

LOCATION: “Rad! Traditions” Zones: Children’s Garden, Farm, Culinary, EcoTots, Farm Lab, Seed and Soil Lab, Courtyard @ The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano

POSITION TYPE: (Full-Time Hourly Employee) Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:00 to 6:30 Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 to 5:00

TRAVEL: (No travel)

SUPERVISES: (Afternoon Support Teachers, Rad! Traditions Instructors, Volunteers)

KEY COLLABORATORS: Gregory Foster, Education Team, Farm Team, Engagement Team, Marketing Team, Culinary Team, Support and Specialty Teachers

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Program Manager: “Rad! Traditions” oversees all aspects of “Rad! Traditions” education courses for children and adults, including after school programs, Farm Raised, festivals, and adult “backyard skills” workshops. This position also serves as a key support to the EcoTots program. This involves four main responsibilities: caring for the aesthetics of the grounds, participation in the planning and preparation of the course curriculum, promoting and publishing the courses to garner interest and enrollment, ensuring the smooth and safe running of the programs. We strive to be worthy of imitation. Interactions with children are to be imbued with warmth, joy, positivity and meaning to best impart our organizational values. Parent communication about the “Rad! Traditions” program and The Ecology Center’s values require the strength to impart clear assurances with enthusiasm, tact and confidence. A thorough understanding of the safety regulations and practices (physical, psychological and emotional) associated with each class is necessary. Responsibilities for the adult “Rad! Traditions” programs require impeccable professionalism, friendly and responsive customer service, and a firm commitment to upholding the aesthetics and presentation of all workspaces.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

● Education: Preference for those who either have formal education and/or hands-on experience in the field of education. Experience with farming or gardening and a passion for environmental activism is a must.

● Experience: 5 years or more experience working with children and parents in an educational setting, 5 years or more experience with public speaking, 2 years or more experience with customer service, experience with writing and editing copy a plus.

● License or Certification: ORI Certifix Live Scan

● Specialized Skills: Budgeting and finance experience is a plus. Organizational skills and ability to set priorities is a must.

● Physical Requirements: Ability to safely lift moderately heavy furniture and equipment (a minimum of 35 lbs.)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Takes initiative to proactively communicate with parents, colleagues and instructors

● Willingness to uphold our company values

● Possesses the ability to collaborate and make decisions with diverse teammates

● Thrives in an agile and emergent environment

● Takes personal responsibility and possesses a curious mindset

● Willingness to uphold our ongoing efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion

● Ensures a safe workplace for children and adults: physical, mental and emotional

● Addresses safety and health issues as they arise

● Maintain a professional work environment that fosters a collaborative team spirit with respect for each individual: child or adult

● Plans and publishes a Program Calendar for each upcoming year

PROGRAM- SPECIFIC

● Ensure short and long-term goals, objectives and plans are met, subject to approval by the Education Director or Executive Director

● Works collaboratively with the Education Director to execute the vision and strategic plans for the “Rad! Traditions” program, field trips and EcoTots.

● Provide the Rad! Traditions staff and instructors with guidance, direction, and support to execute approved initiatives consistent with TEC’s established goals, policies, and values

● Keep the Education Director informed about important developments in real-time: to include parent concerns, child safety issues, staff concerns, process deviations, student behavioral issues, enrollment concerns, administrative concerns, etc.

● Reviews, edit and publish copy for promotional or informational purposes including: Program Calendar, Course Descriptions, Curriculum Guide, Grant and Donor Reports, Marketing Materials

● Responds to Education Director emails, phone calls and work related text messages in a timely manner

● Responds to parent or client emails, phone calls or phone messages in a timely manner

● Establish short and long-term goals, objectives and plans, subject to approval by the Education Director

● Work with the Education Director to plan, coordinate, and control the daily operation of “Rad! Traditions”, festivals and field trips

● Work to further develop, promote and embody the Education Department’s culture of joy and positivity.

● Represent The Education Department’s core values to other TEC departments, colleagues and collaborators as well as the general public

● This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees will also perform other “Rad! Traditions” related duties as assigned by Gregory Foster and/or his/her designee.

NON-PROGRAM SPECIFIC

● Acts as a liaison between Culinary Department and Education Department to ensure effective and efficient cross departmental communication and partnership. This includes helping with the coordination of volunteers for specific events and programs.

● Acts as a liaison between Farm Operations and Education Department to ensure effective and efficient cross departmental communication and partnership. This includes helping with the coordination of volunteers for specific events and programs.

● Acts as a liaison between the Community Engagement Department and Education Department to ensure effective and efficient cross departmental communication and partnership. This includes helping with the coordination of volunteers for specific events and programs.

WORKFLOW

Tuesdays

• Support and check-in with EcoTots Field Trips
• Grounding and preparation for the week ahead
  • Coordinating Rad! Traditions
    • Parent reminders
    • Instructor check-in
  • Curriculum planning and coordinating
• EcoTots Field Trip Coordinating
  • Correspondence with visiting schools or parents
  • Payment and invoice tracking
  • Staffing and curriculum setting
• Rad! Traditions Program

Wednesdays

• Support and check-in with EcoTots
• Farm Raised, Rad! Traditions planning and execution
• Rad! Traditions Program

Thursdays

• Support and check-in with EcoTots
• Rad! Traditions Program
• Field Trip Offense and Marketing needs

Fridays

• EcoTots Support(9-12)
• Education Team Meeting (1-2:30)
• Rad! Traditions Program (3:30-5:30)

Saturdays

• EcoTots Support (9-1pm)
• Seasonal – Festivals
• Adult Workshops (TBD)

COMPENSATION: Hourly based on experience. Range ($18 to $24.50) For those interested in applying, please email a relevant cover letter and resume to [email protected].