Instructional Aide (Horticulture)

About the role

LAUSD is at the forefront of innovation in public education, focused on a clear and inspiring vision of the future for all students as they venture forward on their journey as lifelong learners. The district serves nearly 575,000 students across 710 square miles, operates over 1,190 schools and educational centers, and employs more than 74,000 individuals, making it one of the largest employers in the city.

Mission Continuation High School serves a high‑needs student population, including students experiencing homelessness, foster youth, probation‑involved youth, teen parents, and those facing significant social‑emotional and behavioral challenges. The school operates on a 4x4 schedule (four 10‑week terms annually) and serves approximately 60 to 100 students across four daily instructional periods (averaging 15–25 students per class) within its Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, specifically Agriculture Science and Building & Construction. Because these hands‑on CTE pathways frequently collaborate on community project‑based learning involving power tools and specialized facilities, dedicated technical support is required to ensure safety, supervision, and operational success. The Instructional Aide‑Horticulture position is a 6‑hour position (30‑hour work week).

Responsibilities

• Assist a teacher in developing and presenting specialized educational materials and conducting instructional activities in horticulture.
• Present topics such as plant reproduction, botany, plant physiology, soils, and soil conservation to students in horticulture classes.
• Locate and compile information and prepare exhibits, demonstrations, equipment, and other materials used in horticulture.
• Demonstrate methods, procedures, techniques, and uses of materials, tools, and equipment required in horticulture.
• Arrange and conduct educational visits related to instructional activities in horticulture.
• Tutor individual students or groups in subjects requiring basic and advanced knowledge of horticulture.
• Review student work for correct procedures to develop skills and techniques related to plant propagation, control of pests and diseases, landscape design and construction, and nursery operations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent AND one of the following:
  • Completion of 48 semester units or 72 quarter units from a recognized college or university,
  • Possession of an associate or higher degree from a recognized college or university,
  • Receipt of a passing score on the District Proficiency Test and the Instructional Assistance Test.
• Experience: One year of paid experience in horticulture or any equivalent combination of horticulture or a related area of work experience and study.
• Special: Ability to communicate in a language other than English may be required for some positions.
• Note: Candidates who have completed college or university course work at an institution outside the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts and degrees (request a detailed report; see approved evaluation organizations at https://www.lausd.org/Page/7876).

Qualifications

• Hands‑on knowledge of horticulture, including plant propagation and growth, gardening and nursery practices, plant diseases, plant structure, and soils.
• Ability to demonstrate horticultural methods, techniques, tools, equipment, and safety procedures and communicate this specialized information clearly to students with varying levels of comprehension.
• Capable of supporting classroom instruction by preparing materials and demonstrations, tutoring individual students or groups, and reinforcing concepts introduced by the teacher.
• Understanding of the steps involved in sexual and asexual plant reproduction and ability to apply this knowledge to pest and disease control, landscape practices, and nursery operations.

Skills

• Strong communication skills.
• Sound judgment regarding student safety and behavior.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a teacher.

Benefits

• Insurance: Paid premiums for your choice of several medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• Retirement: Membership in the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS).
• Vacation: Full‑time employees earn up to two weeks of paid vacation to start; three weeks after five years of year‑round paid service.
• Paid Holidays: Up to 13 days.
• Note: Positions in this job classification may be offered on a 9‑month basis; salary and paid time off for 9‑month positions will be adjusted accordingly.

Pay

$26.87 - $31.30 Hourly

Schedule

6‑hour position (30‑hour work week)