CLOSED-Common Ground is Seeking a CT Schoolyards Program Coordinator

Job Title: CT Schoolyards Program Coordinator

To Apply: Please email resume and cover letter to Suzannah.holsenbeck@commongroundct.org and include “CT Schoolyards Program Coordinator” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Program Overview

The CT Schoolyards Program of Common Ground www.commongroundct.org supports the creation and effective use of school gardens, schoolyard habitats, and outdoor classrooms in schools. We believe that by using our knowledge and resources to provide professional and technical support, we can help schools realize the full potential of teaching outside in deepening the academic and emotional learning of their students. We currently partner closely with 22 New Haven Public Schools and lead professional development for educators from around the state. Check out our Instagram @ctschoolgardens for a visual sense of what we do!

Job Description

The CT Schoolyards Program Coordinator reports to the CT Schoolyards Program Manager and primarily supports the professional development, student engagement, outreach and evaluation components of the CT Schoolyards Program at Common Ground. The CT Schoolyards Program Coordinator works with the CT Schoolyards Program Manager to plan and lead workshops and training sessions with adults onsite and co-teaching sessions with students in schools related to school gardens and outdoor classrooms. The Program Coordinator regularly works directly with students, leading stewardship and learning activities outside with classes at partner schools and overseeing the small group of high school students employed with the CT Schoolyards Green Jobs Corps Crew. The Program Coordinator will manage the development of a new program website and specific communications for the program. The work is varied and exciting: one day you might be using power tools with high school students, another day you’ll be wrangling worms and kindergarteners, and the next you may be co-leading professional development for teachers to build their confidence and knowledge around teaching children in an outdoor setting.

• Work with the CT Schoolyards Program Manager to support new and continuing CT Schoolyards partner schools by developing and delivering PD for faculty, staff and community members around outdoor teaching, learning and garden usage.
• Lead the Green Jobs Corps CT Schoolyards Crew for Fall and Spring work days at partner schools to support the installation and management of gardens, habitats and outdoor learning spaces. Work with the CT Schoolyards Program Manager to communicate with schools, identify school needs, work day plans and schedule of work days.
• Collaborate with partner school teachers in the Fall and Spring seasons to Co-teach K-8 students in outdoor learning spaces at partner schools; co-lead Outdoor Days (all day teaching events) at partner schools with the CT Schoolyards Program Manager and other program staff.
• Support tailored contracts between the CT Schoolyards Program and schools, districts and organizations, including implementing professional development for teachers and providing remote and hands-on guidance on design, installation, maintenance and use of school gardens and outdoor classrooms.
• The Program Coordinator has primary responsibility for reaching out to the CT Schoolyards network about upcoming events and opportunities and also manages regular general communication such as newsletters, Instagram, Facebook and updating the soon-to-launch new website for the program.
• Work with the CT Schoolyards Program Manager on an implementation and outreach strategy with a focus on generating revenue to subsidize other CT Schoolyards work. This could include on-site workshops and conferences, customized professional development, a train the trainer program and intensive site-specific support.
• Support the Program Manager’s evaluation of professional development programs including compiling data and reports and using data to improve program quality.

Schedule

Primarily 9am-5pm, 3-4 days per week with occasional Saturday workshops and work days, September-May; 10-20 hours/wk June-August. Specific schedules to be made based on a staff availability and program need.

Position requirements:

• Experience with planning and leading professional development for adults.
• Experience with garden-based education.
• Demonstrated understanding of website and social media management.
• Willingness to work with high school students to install and maintain garden and outdoor classroom spaces.
• Strong understanding of outdoor teaching pedagogy.
• A passion for Common Ground’s mission and commitment to equity, diversity and sustainable change.
• Significant experience teaching students outside.
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills and ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated prior experience with projects that require attention to detail and being highly organized and efficient.
• Experience and commitment to working closely with a racially and economically diverse urban school community.
• Strong communication skills, including speaking with children and adults, as well as written communications.
• Bachelor degree or higher in education, environmental education, or related field.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT

Common Ground is committed to the recruitment and retention of staff that is reflective of the communities we work with. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

It has been the policy and will continue to be the strong commitment of the Common Ground and all contractors and subcontractors who do business with Common Ground to provide equal opportunities in employment to all qualified persons solely on the basis of job-related skills, ability and merit. Common Ground will continue to take Affirmative Action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, mental disorder (present or past history thereof) age, physical disability (but not limited to blindness), marital status, intellectual disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and criminal record. Such action includes, but is not limited to, employment, promotion, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, professional development, attendance at conferences or other opportunities for advancement. Common Ground, its contractors and subcontractors will continue to make good faith efforts to comply with all federal and state laws and policies which speak to equal employment opportunity.

The principles of Affirmative Action are addressed in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments of the United States Constitution, Civil Rights Act of 1866, 1870, 1871, Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VI and VII of the 1964 United States Civil Rights Act, Presidential Executive Order 11246, amended by 11375, (Non-discrimination under federal contracts)< Act 1, Section 1 and 20 of the Connecticut Constitution, Governor Grasso’s Executive Order Number 11, Governor O’Neill’s Executive Order 9, the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Law (Sec. 46a-60-69) of the Connecticut General Statutes, Connecticut Code of Fair Practices (46a-70-81), Deprivation of Civil Rights (46a-58(a)(d)), Public Accommodations Law (46a-63-64), Discrimination against Criminal Offenders (46a-80), definition of Blind (46a-51(1)), definition of Physically Disabled (46a-51(15)), definition of Intellectual Disability (46a-51(13)), cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (46a-77), Sexual Harassment (46a-60(a)-8), Connecticut Credit Discrimination Law (360436 through 439), Title I of the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972.

This Affirmative Action Policy Statement re-affirms Common Ground’s commitment to equity in the workplace and the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity.

Contact at Common Ground: Betsy Sneath, Director of Business and Administration, 358 Springside Ave., New Haven, CT 06515 (203) 389-4333.