What are the responsibilities and job description for the Garden Manager Position, Horace Mann Laboratory School / Salem High School Gardens INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY SY2024-2025 position at Salem Public Schools - Food and Nutrition Services?
Garden Manager Position, Horace Mann Laboratory School / Salem High School Gardens INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY SY2024-2025
Project length: April- October, 2025
Scope of Work:
- Develop a garden plan for the Horace Mann Elementary School and Salem High School in consultation with Food Nutrition Services’ leaders. Plant a selection of seedlings and seeds per the garden plan.
- Collaborate with Teachers Planning to Integrate Gardens into Curriculum – Meet regularly with the SPS farm to school team and contribute to shared projects.
- Provide Technical Assistance - serve at the garden information liaison, answering questions as needed.
- Assist with marketing Farm to School activities and press releases by providing pictures and stakeholder quotes.
- Lead and conduct Spring Garden Prep - Prepare soil / turn beds / start seeds / set up water systems / attend farm-to-school meetings / move soil/garden repairs / develop planting map / order seeds seedlings / communicate with food distribution groups.
- Plant and tend the gardens - Direct seeding / planting seedlings / acquiring seedlings/crop rotations/succession plantings/watering/weeding/ground cover.
- Provide Weekly Maintenance - Water / pest management/weeding/ staking/pruning / ongoing repairs and maintenance.
- Regularly Monitor & Harvest (as needed) - Monitor produce daily to ensure proper harvest times / harvest produce.
- Distribute Food - Communicate with the Food and Nutrition Services’ team for food distribution and coordination of delivery.
- Conduct Autumn Garden Closing at End of Season - Pull plants / plant cover crop / store supplies/breakdown water systems and materials /conduct general clean-up and organization of space / complete final weeding.
Qualifications/Skills Required:
- Have a experience successfully managing urban farms using sustainable, organic methods, including planning and maintenance; preference for experience growing vegetables for consumption.
- Experience with opening and closing seasonal urban gardens.
- Experience with food distribution for harvested produce.
- Have past experience supervising student interns/volunteers in farm work.
- Have demonstrated the ability to collaborate effectively with the Salem Public Schools as a trusted partner.
- Have a track record of working effectively with multiple community partners, including nonprofits, community groups, businesses, and individuals.
- Reliable transportation to commute between sites, and deliver produce to FNS sites.
Stipend:
- Up to $8,100 for April-October
- The Garden Manager will submit timesheets on a weekly or bi-weekly basis; this will be negotiated at the time of hire.
- Additional funds are available for purchasing supplies. (Note: the Garden Manager will develop the list of needed supplies which will be purchased through a Purchase Order by the Food Services Department.)
- Additional funds are available to support up to 3 student interns who will help prepare, maintain, and harvest the garden.
To Apply:
Submit a 1-2 page letter of interest describing how your experience matches each of the
requirements. Also include an estimated cost of all needed garden supplies, and indicate
whether you would hire up to 3 interns.
