Garden and Plant Science Educator

The Garden and Plan Science Educator leads the care and instructional use of St. Margaret’s La Novia Farm, promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and hands-on learning across all school divisions. This role blends deep horticultural knowledge with a passion for experiential education. The Farm Educator cultivates outdoor spaces that support inquiry, interdisciplinary learning, and the holistic development of students from Early School through Upper School.

This position plays a key role in connecting classroom experiences to real-world environmental issues and food systems, in alignment with the School’s mission and core values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Garden Stewardship

• Design, develop, and maintain vibrant, safe, and productive school garden and farm environments yearround.
• Utilize organic and ecologically responsible practices that promote soil health, habitat diversity, and sustainable water use.
• Manage seasonal planting, composting, orchard care, and pollinatorfriendly practices.

Education and Curriculum Integration

• Design and lead handson garden and ecology lessons for Early School through Upper School students.
• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines (science, social studies, art, service learning) to integrate gardenbased learning into core instruction.
• Inspire students to explore food systems, nutrition, ecology, agricultural science, and environmental responsibility.
• Collaborate with Division Principals to create meaningful connections between classroom learning, experiential learning, and the food students enjoy daily in the Commons, reinforcing a fullcircle approach to sustainability, nutrition, and education.
• Mentor student groups and clubs engaging in environmental stewardship or sustainability projects.
• Provide educational and administrative support for Summer at St. Margaret’s and Extended Day programming.

Community Partnership and Engagement

• Collaborate with local organizations such as The Ecology Center to deepen sustainability programming.
• Build collaborations with local schools, organizations, and experts to extend learning beyond campus.
• Facilitate opportunities for parent and community involvement through volunteer programs, workshops, and seasonal events.
• Support servicelearning projects, community outreach, and farmtotable initiatives connected to the school’s values.

Program Administration

• Oversee program budget, materials, and supplies
• Organize seasonal events, harvest celebrations, and exhibitions of student learning.
• Maintain Records of student participation, program outcomes, and garden yields.
• Ensure all activities follow best practices for student safety and accessibility.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, environmental science, education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 35 years of experience in ecological farming, sustainable gardening, or horticulture.
• Demonstrated success in outdoor or experiential education with children or adolescents.
• Strong knowledge of composting, soil science, native species, and climateappropriate farming methods.
• Ability to build curriculum collaboratively and adapt instruction to a wide range of ages and learning styles.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and community engagement skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the mission and values of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in a related field

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Salary Range: $85,000 $100,000
• 12Month position, with a start date of 1 July 2026
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and LongTerm Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off: Accrue 3 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick pay
• Retirement: 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer contribution
• Additional: Tuition Remission, Salary Continuance Plan, Wee Tartan Childcare Center (upon availability)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT:

The Garden and Plant Science Educator must be physically capable of performing a wide range of outdoor tasks in varying weather conditions. This includes the ability to lift and carry materials and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds, kneel or bend for extended periods while working with soil and plants, and operate basic hand tools and gardening equipment safely. The role requires frequent walking across uneven terrain, manual dexterity for planting and harvesting, and visual acuity to assess plant health and identify pests or hazards.

Candidates should expect to work outdoors in direct sunlight, rain, wind, and other elements, as well as indoors for planning, instructional coordination, and community engagement activities. Regular movement between the Farm, classroom spaces, and campus facilities is required.

St. Margaret's Episcopal School is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

About St Margaret of Scotland Episcopal

Be a part of an institution on an important mission. Under the leadership of Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham, the St. Margaret’s professional community comprises a dedicated and passionate team of more than 275 faculty and staff. We view the mission as the responsibility of every member of the professional community, and we foster a culture that values, loves and supports their individual contributions. We embrace and encourage creativity, innovation, ingenuity and continual iteration as we strive to advance our academic excellence and transformative experience for our students. We ask our professional community members to enthusiastically bring their whole selves to St. Margaret’s, every day, their varied identities, unique perspectives, interests, expertise, so they can contribute to a vibrant, creative, nurturing environment that reflects our students and provides windows for them to view the world.