Youth Programs Instructor

Company Description

Internship Dates: February 26th-August 14th, 2020

Internship Description:

The Youth Garden Project (YGP) is a non-profit organization located in the breathtaking red rock country of Moab, UT. Our mission is to cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and the profound act of connecting people with food from seed to table.

We are looking for an individual that is interested in working as an educator in a hands-on, outdoor setting within a variety of educational programs. In the spring, we have two After-School Programs, Garden Classroom Field Trips, an 8th grade Environmental Science Elective class that visits weekly, and a weeklong Spring Break Camp—all of which will be taught primarily by two interns with aid from the Youth Programs Director. During the summer, four interns facilitate our nine-week Summer Camp designing and implementing the activity plans for this program. 

Job Description

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

SPRING 

• Plan and lead activities for two After-School Programs.
• Develop and facilitate garden-based activities for Spring Break Camp.
• Teach Garden Classroom Field Trips for grades Pre.K-6 using YGP’s curriculum. During a Garden Classroom field trip, each intern will teach approximately 12 students (half of a class) for 90 minutes.
• Co-facilitate any other field trips (Middle/High School Classes, etc.) either with another intern or another staff member.
• Interns may also have the opportunity to build on pre-existing curriculum or develop new curriculum.

SUMMER 

• Four interns will work as a cohesive team to run YGP’s nine-week Summer Camp program.
• Interns will receive an in-depth training prior to leading the Summer Camp program; including behavior management techniques, discipline policies, and more.
• All interns will plan, organize, and lead the Summer Camp program with guidance and support from the Youth Programs Director. Daily Summer Camp responsibilities include, but are not limited to: ensure overall smoothness of the Summer Camp day including safety of campers; enforce YGP discipline policies with campers; prepare materials for activities and snacks; manage groups of children while building relationships/rapport with them; teach two-three 45 minute activities per day with co-instructors; encourage campers to learn, have fun, and connect with the garden; communicate with parents/guardians regarding campers’ behavior, etc.
• Each intern will play a role in the instruction and development of Summer Camp weeks. This includes, but is not limited to: creating experiential, fun, and educational activities related to each Summer Camp theme; submitting detailed activity plans beforehand—planning time will be provided in the spring; sharing and coaching co-instructors in regards to your activities; providing positive and constructive feedback to co-workers.

OTHER

• Interns should expect to work 35 hours per week on average during the spring (schedule varies) and 45 hours per week on average during the summer (M-F, 8am-5pm).
• Interns should expect to be outside the majority of the day.
• YGP is involved in a series of local community events and fundraisers that interns will be required to work or attend beyond normal work hours.
• Interns will be certified in CPR and First Aid; certification opportunity will be provided if applicant is not already certified.
• Interns are expected to be a positive and enthusiastic team member throughout the duration of the internship.

Educational Opportunities:

• Gain experience teaching elementary-aged students • Build your teaching skill set by leading hands-on science lessons • Learn about how a garden can be used as a teaching tool • Make relationships with students, teachers, summer campers, and families • Write and implement creative lessons and activities • Have opportunities to connect children with gardens, food, and community • Community event/workshop involvement • And more!

Qualifications

Desired Skills: applicants must be 21 or older

Responsible and reliable; works well independently and in a team setting; shows enthusiasm; and has an interest in experiential education. Intern should be a problem solver who is flexible and able to improvise. Intern must have an open mind and willingness to be involved with Youth Garden Project beyond its youth programs and work either in the garden or at special events.

Additional Information

Compensation:

• Each intern will receive a stipend of $400/month. First and last month’s stipend will be pro-rated based on days worked. Interns are allotted 3 days of paid vacation. 
• YGP will provide housing. Interns may move in starting Monday, February 24th and move out by the Monday following the close of the internship. Any extended stay beyond these times must be approved by the Executive Director.
• The intern household will receive produce depending on seasonality and availability
• Access to a variety of pro-deals through YGP.

TO APPLY: please e-mail a brief cover letter and an attached resume with three professional references to Youth Programs Director, Julie Zender. 

Application is open until filled.