Job Title: Research and Education Associate

Status: Full time, Non-Exempt

Reports to: Director of Special Programs

Location: Tilth Alliance Main Office – Wallingford, Seattle, WA and Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands and University of Washington, Bothell Campus.

Tilth Alliance Mission:

Tilth Alliance is helping to create an ecologically sound, socially just, and economically vital food system across Washington State. We believe that all people deserve access to healthy, nutritious food. For 40 years we have taught people to grow, prepare, and eat food in ways that sustain the environment, promote health, and support producers’ ability to make a living. Changing the way we grow, cook and eat food has the potential to transform people’s lives as well as the communities in which we live.

Position Description:

Our Youth Education program engages young people, adults and families of diverse backgrounds to explore their local food system through hands-on and experiential learning activities in the garden, farm and wetlands. These include programming and volunteer opportunities around growing food, environmental stewardship, and cooking and sharing food in community. The Research and Education Associate is a dynamic position that will primarily focus on a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research project (80%). The NSF research includes co-designing equitable garden and field-based science education in K-3 classrooms with families, teachers, and community-based organizations. The research will also explore sustainable garden and outdoor learning environment design at participating schools. Aside from the research, the Associate will support education programming at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands (RBUFW), which includes classes, camps, farm tours, service learning and family days (20%). The Associate will work collaboratively with colleagues and local communities and must be open to different perspectives and experiences to address issues related to food access, equitable field-based science education, and sustainability in support of the development of an equitable food system. This position will require frequent travel between the Tilth Alliance office, school and partner sites in Seattle, RBUFW, and meetings at the University of Washington Bothell.

Responsibilities:

National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Assistance (32 hours/week)

  • Work with the research partners, the University of Washington and Seattle Public Schools, on a co-design team and participate in weekly design meetings
  • Contribute to developing models, teaching materials, and website for equitable field-based science education in K-3 grades
  • Work with participating schools on sustainable school garden design and development, and technical assistance for outdoor learning environments
  • Regularly collaborate with families and teachers from participating schools
  • Assist with organizing and creating a learning community with Community Based Organizations
  • Keep detailed records of research activities and participate in gathering and analyzing data
  • Co-facilitate workshops for families, teachers, and CBOs

Youth Engagement (8 hours/week)

  • Provide opportunities for community engagement at RBUFW through Family Days, camps, and other community events
  • Work with children, teens, and adults in outdoor garden and farm education settings
  • Support Youth Education programs including Garden Educator Workshops and Seattle Learning Garden Network
  • Maintain detailed records of program metrics
  • Engage a diverse range of community members through relevant experiential programming
  • Attend staff meetings, contribute to board reports and other tracking, support events and other duties related to being a member of the Tilth Alliance staff.

Required Qualifications

  • 2-4 years of experience designing and developing school gardens or outdoor classroom environments (not limited to food gardens. Can include rain, native, permaculture, restoration, wildlife and others)
  • Proven ability to develop and implement curriculum for elementary classrooms
  • Experience working collaboratively with school administrators, teachers, and students
  • Demonstrated ability and success working with people from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds, with various lifestyles and sexual orientations
  • Outstanding organizational, attention to detail, and time management skills
  • Creative and motivated. Ability to problem solve and work in dynamic settings
  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
  • Self-directed and able to work independently as well as with a team
  • Able to work evenings and weekends on occasion, or as needed
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Google Drive
  • Able to transport self and materials reliably to education and outreach locations. Frequent travel is required in and around Seattle and to University of Washington Bothell.
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds

Desired Qualifications and Attributes:

  • 2-4 years of experience coordinating outdoor environmental or school garden programs
  • Understanding of agroforestry or permaculture design principals
  • Knowledge of and commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental justice
  • Experience and familiarity building partnerships and working within SE Seattle communities
  • Experience training, coordinating, and supervising volunteers
  • Previous experience on research projects with communities a plus
  • Ability to teach and write in Spanish, Vietnamese, Amharic, Somali or other languages a plus
  • BA or BS in a related field, or comparable experience in a related field

Benefits and Compensation:

This is a full-time, non-exempt position that requires willingness to work some evenings and weekends, as well as travel between sites around Seattle. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401K (not matched), paid time-off and sick leave. This position will be based at the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford, and some work at University of Washington Bothell and Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands in South Seattle. Compensation is $17-21 per hour.

To Apply:

No phone calls please. Submit a letter of interest and resume as one document in PDF or Word format outlining 1) your experience with the qualifications listed above and 2) why you are interested in this position. Email all materials to hr@tilthalliance.org with the subject “Research and Education Associate Application.” This position is open until filled. Applications received by October 12, 2018 will be given preference.

The job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Tilth Alliance reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.

Tilth Alliance is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is essential to achieving our mission. Tilth Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Women, people of color, and individuals from under-represented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.