Thank you for your interest in MEarth!

Environmental and Food Systems Educator

Reports to:  Director of Education

Status:  Hourly, Non-Exempt, 40 hours/week

Compensation: $27 + benefits 

MEarth is a non-profit environmental organization which educates and inspires through environmental stewardship. The organization serves children of Monterey County at the Hilton Bialek Habitat, adjacent to Carmel Middle School. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated educator to work with students K-12th grade in an indoor and outdoor environment. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  1. Plan and facilitate hands-on environmental and food systems education programs for K-12 students and community members using MEarth’s Production Garden, Teaching Kitchen, and 10-acre Habitat.
  2. Deliver standards-aligned lessons that integrate cooking, agriculture, nutrition, ecology, environmentalism and sustainability.
  3. Create safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments for diverse learners across different ages.
  4. Support field trips, after-school programs, camps, and community education offerings. 
  5. Collaborate with MEarth staff and school partners to align interdisciplinary programming with California Standards, district priorities and MEarth curriculum goals.
  6. Prepare materials, set up learning spaces, and maintain program areas for effective instruction. Complete daily cleaning responsibilities, including dishwashing and laundry, which may comprise 25%–33% of weekly work hours depending on programming.
  7. Model and reinforce positive behavior management and age-appropriate safety practices.
  8. Track participation and provide basic program data
  9. As part of the greater MEarth team, participate in staff meetings and ongoing professional development. Support special events, volunteer days, and outreach activities as needed.

Key Qualifications:

  1. Strong classroom and outdoor group management skills, including positive behavior guidance and safety practices for students K-12.
  2. Must feel equally comfortable leading students in the garden, the kitchen, and the outdoors.
  3. Experience working with diverse learners across multiple age groups, with the ability to create inclusive, engaging, fun and supportive learning environments.
  4. Knowledge of or strong interest in sustainable agriculture, cooking with kids, food systems, local ecology, nutrition, and environmental education.
  5. Experience and interest in developing standards-aligned, place-based curriculum.
  6. Demonstrate commitment to providing equity and inclusion in environmental education. 
  7. Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, demonstrate flexibility in a dynamic work environment, and communicate effectively.
  8. Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and take initiative in planning and delivering high-quality environmental and food systems education programs.
  9. Proficiency in Google Workspace including email, calendar, docs, sheets, slides, forms.

Additional Beneficial Qualifications:

  1. Proficiency with design tools such as Canva.
  2. Knowledge and direct experience integrating seasonal garden produce into cooking activities, sourcing ingredients, scaling recipes, bulk purchasing etc.
  3. Fluency in a foreign language (especially Spanish) is a plus
  4. Experience working with underserved communities

Required Physical Capabilities:

Incorporated with one or more of the essential functions of this position are the following essential physical requirements:

  • This position requires bending, crouching, or kneeling to perform cleaning tasks, access information and assist students/volunteers/interns from ground level to 4.5 feet above the ground.
  • Ability to see for purposes of reading instructions, labels, and other printed matter and for the safe operation of equipment.
  • Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels in person and/or on the telephone.
  • Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand a normal conversation in person and/or on the telephone.
  • Ability to operate a computer, printer, telephone and other office equipment with dexterity and in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Ability to push, pull, and lift instructional equipment and supplies.
  • Ability to sit on chairs/ground/floor, and lean over for prolonged periods of time.
  • Ability to walk on uneven surfaces and work outdoors for extended periods.

Background Check Requirements:

Successful completion of the hiring process requires passing a multi-agency Livescan fingerprint/background check and a TB risk assessment questionnaire. These expenses are covered by MEarth.

Compensation:

$27 per hour. Benefits include paid holidays, extended paid time off, vision and dental insurance and optional medical and retirement benefits.

How to Apply:

Please email a cover letter, a resume, and 3 educational or professional references with contact info to info@mearthcarmel.org. Please use subject line:  MEarth Educator Application

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other duties, as required, to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Employment at MEarth is at-will. MEarth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.