Garden and Environment Educator

About Living Classrooms

Founded in Baltimore in 1985, Living Classrooms Foundation is a nonprofit that disrupts the cycle of poverty and helps build stronger, healthier communities through hands-on education, workforce development, health and wellness, and violence prevention programming. Living Classrooms utilizes its environmental campuses, athletic fields, community centers, and historic ships as "living classrooms" to inspire children, youth, and adults to achieve their full potential.

About BUGS Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS)

BUGS is an after-school and summer environmental education enrichment program serving students in 6th-8th grades at The Crossroads School. It aims to strengthen environmental literacy among Crossroads students by providing educational and recreational programming outside of the school day. BUGS seeks enthusiastic individuals who can serve as role models and care about the environment.

General Responsibilities

• Participate in the BUGS Annual Student-Run Farmer’s Market, typically held on a Saturday.
• Maintain garden beds in the greenhouse and outside raised beds.
• Maintain indoor or classroom growing spaces, including worm bins and aquaponics tanks.
• Daily and seasonal care and maintenance of program growing facilities.
• Create and collaborate with students on a year-round growing plan.
• Create and execute environmental education lessons.
• Guide students in making goods for the Farmer’s Market.
• Collaborate with Crossroads teachers to create and co-teach lessons.
• Plan and lead environmental and garden-based enrichment activities.
• Manage planting, care, and inventory of Farmer’s Market plants and produce.
• Help maintain native pollinator garden, oyster cages, frog pond, and other ecosystems.
• Coordinate major program events such as field trips and guest speakers.
• Coordinate long-term volunteers for greenhouse, garden beds, and chicken coop maintenance.
• Create and maintain partnerships with relevant organizations and community members.
• Upkeep and organize BUGS classroom spaces.
• Monitor and post program updates to BUGS social media platforms.
• Communicate with parents regularly about student achievements, behavior, program activities, and upcoming events.
• Assist with data collection, database upkeep, photo uploads, program purchasing, and other administrative tasks.

Required Skills

• Experience in urban gardening and agriculture.
• Knowledge of various growing techniques and gardening practices.
• Familiarity with native plants, animals, ecology, habitats, and natural history.
• Enjoyment of working with students.
• Effective communication and collaboration with diverse populations.
• Positive and engaging teaching methods.
• Interest in urban environmental issues and sustainability practices.
• Public speaking and communication skills.

Other Requirements

• Pass a background check.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.
• Must have a valid driver's license, good driving record, and be able to drive students in large program vehicles.