ABOUT
OUR PROGRAMS
GET INVOLVED
BOOK A WORKSHOP
DONATE

Director of Education – Job Description

About City Growers

City Growers is an educational nonprofit based in NYC that uses Brooklyn Grange rooftop farms and other urban green spaces as learning laboratories where young people can explore the intersections of human and environmental health. Our mission is to use urban agriculture to engage young people in experiential and inquiry-based learning, nurturing a life-long relationship to food, their health, and the natural world. Our mission-driven work culture is fueled by a shared commitment to bring hands-on, outdoor education to as many NYC youth as possible. 

About the Position

City Growers’ Director of Education will be responsible for overseeing all City Growers programs through supervision, observation, modeling, and facilitation with City Growers’ program team staff members. An ideal candidate will have experience teaching in a classroom setting, developing curriculum and programs from the ground up, an understanding of educational standards at NYC public schools, an understanding of metrics and reporting guidelines, a working knowledge of anti-biased and antiracist teaching practices when working with K-12 educators and youth, and experience working with youth from a variety of backgrounds and identities.

Responsibilities

Supervision

  • The Director of Education reports to the Executive Director through regular weekly one-on-one supervision meetings, scheduled observations at various sites throughout NYC, and other ongoing support as needed;
  • Provides regular supervisory support to City Growers’ two full time Program Managers, including:
    • Weekly one-on-one and group supervision with Program Managers
    • Regular program team meetings
    • Implements regular observation and debrief cycles
      • Supports Program Managers in Observation and Debrief cycles with their staff
      • Supports Program Managers in growth and development as supervisors, facilitators and educators
  • Leads the creation of rituals for seasonal transitions with the Program Managers;
  • Provides professional mentorship to Program Managers and supports them in finding balance in their work through exploration of ongoing and personalized techniques for time-management and self-care.

Program Development and Implementation

  • Provides modeling of a variety of teaching styles informed by practical classroom teaching experience while prioritizing experiential and inquiry-based learning;
  • Provides structures for new programs, partnerships, and/or curriculum by creating overarching structural support and ongoing curriculum support;
  • Leads the coordination and cultivation of partnerships with schools and nonprofit organizations with support from the Program Managers;
  • Leads program evaluation strategies and outcomes through data collection, surveying, and regular communication with City Growers’ Director of Development and Communications;
  • Leads program structuring (and restructuring as needed) including staffing structure, program schedule and delivery; guided by input from full time and part time program team staff members and evaluation processes;
  • Supports ongoing curriculum development (observing, writing, editing, and evolving)
  • Leads and guides seasonal program transitions with Program Managers
  • Designs and facilitates all staff seasonal trainings and orientations as well as other internal Professional Development opportunities for full time and seasonal staff, and also identifies outside Professional Development opportunities for staff to support their professional growth;
  • Comfortable with addressing difficult topics or conversations and providing language to model for program staff members to use, with a knowledge base to draw from. 
  • Supports ED in assessing commitment to equity with new potential partner organizations or schools
  • Attends and seeks out regular trainings on STEM learning, Social Emotional Learning, DOE and DYCD best practices, Anti-bias and Antiracism, Trauma Informed engagement, and other relevant topics, through external organizations including but not limited: ExpandED Schools, Ramapo for Children, Hetrick Martin Institute, Youth INC, Spark Youth, PASE, etc.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Highly collaborative and team oriented person;
  • Previous experience implementing structures for program evaluation and data collection;
  • Professional development facilitation experience;
  • Staff Training experience with both planning and facilitating;
  • Extensive K-12 teaching experience in a classroom setting using experiential and inquiry-based learning approaches;
  • Extensive staff supervisory experience;
  • Experience working with young people in informal educational setting(s)(including after school programs, camps, and/or drop-in centers;
  • Experience with providing training in Anti-bias and Antiracism practices with young people and the adults who work with them;
  • Social work experience with young people is a plus;
  • American Sign Language, Mandarin, and/or Spanish language conversational ability preferred
  • Experience working with young people with mental health challenges, learning differences, neurodivergence, and developmental differences or delays preferred.

Compensation

  • Position Type: Fulltime, year round
  • Starting Salary: $48,000
  • Start Date: March 2022

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to employment@citygrowers.org. **Please note: applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

City Growers is an equal opportunity employer. We provide all individuals consideration for employment and advancement opportunities without regard to race, religion, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, partnership status, status as a domestic violence victim, disability, pregnancy, military status, status as a Vietnam Era or Special Disabled Veteran, genetic information as defined by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act or state law, source of income, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including without limitation, hiring, promotions, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, training opportunities and all other terms and conditions of employment. Violations of this policy will not be tolerated, and any City Growers employee found to be engaging in any type of unlawful discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

COVID-19 Policies and Protocol

The safety and health of our staff and participants remain our top priorities. To review City Growers’ full COVID Safety Policies and Procedures go to  www.citygrowers.org/COVID-19.