Garden Coordinator (Instructor)

About the role

Under the direction and guidance of the Program Lead of Operations, this position assists participants from St. Joseph's Villa's Educational Services programs to acquire skills necessary to prepare for, or obtain employment, or continue to post-secondary training/education. The Garden Transition Specialist (Instructor) oversees the Villa Garden training activities offered through Career and Transition Services at St. Joseph's Villa and actively participates with the team to facilitate garden training activities for our participants.

Responsibilities

• Developing the garden planting schedule that the team will utilize for training activities
• Planning, training and assisting participants in cultivating organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, and perennials in our garden location, soil cultivation, weeding, pruning, watering, mulching, composting, cover cropping, harvesting, managing farm tools and engaging with onsite Villa participants
• Facilitating all garden training activities and serving as an instructor, advisor, and career mentor to participants in CATS
• Continual curriculum development and improvement
• Facilitating growth of relationships with the local horticulture industry
• Completion of monthly documentation of activity and student progress, or additional documentation as needed
• Planning and organizing many of the volunteer projects that are to be held in the garden space
• Assessing students using various assessment tools, including MECA assessment software
• Generating situational assessment data
• Identifying students' assistive technology needs
• Evaluating students' abilities and interests through aptitude assessments and interviews
• Using aptitude and achievement assessments to help clients evaluate their interests, skills and abilities
• Evaluating clients' background, education and training to help them develop realistic goals
• Guiding clients through making decisions about their careers, such as choosing a profession or the type of degree to select and assisting clients in applying for educational programs to obtain the necessary degrees, credentials or skills
• Teaching clients job search skills, such as interviewing and networking
• Teaching clients how to write resumes, locate job openings and apply for jobs
• Assisting in career readiness experiences for clients, including college tours, field trips, guest speakers and other career related activities
• Working with students to develop skills such as organization, time management, and effective study habits
• Matching and assisting students with available training positions on or off-campus (where applicable)
• Advising clients on how to resolve problems in the workplace, such as conflicts with managers or coworkers
• Providing clients with one-on-one or group training on assigned tasks and assisting them in building proficiency and independence
• Maintaining evaluation data
• Completing necessary monthly and quarterly reports
• Providing assessment documentation of training progress and transition goals
• Completing assessment reports of participants involved in training
• Participating actively in CATS team meetings, IEP/ISP meetings and other service meetings as appropriate and necessary
• Attending scheduled training programs for professional development that include, at a minimum, trainings required by St. Joseph's Villa and regulatory and accrediting bodies
• Supporting and supervising individual or small groups with or without additional service personnel
• Performing other duties as directed or required

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree with three years related experience (experience can be used in lieu of degree)
• Proficient with Windows, Outlook, internet research, and MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Understands the data collection needs of the service
• Valid VA driver's license with excellent driving record

Pay

$51,000 - non-exempt

Schedule

Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Benefits

• Health/Medical Insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• 403b
• Paid Time Off
• Sick Leave