Job Details

Position Type:
Support Staff Instructional

Date Posted:
11/5/2024

Location:
Whitley TK-8

Closing Date:
11/19/2024Summary:
The Edible Schoolyard Garden General Assistant will support the overall vision and implementation of the Edible Schoolyard Garden and the Edible Schoolyard Garden Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA). They will also support and be involved in the sustainability and maintenance of the garden area and garden equipment to ensure a productive and educational edible schoolyard space.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support the maintenance of a productive and educational organic garden space.
• Be involved in the educational experiences of students in the garden classes by supporting small group instruction and implementation of garden skills.
• Guide students through various gardening tasks and projects.
• Collaborate with the Edible Schoolyard Garden TOSA Garden Teacher in the execution of small group lessons, garden skills and garden activities.
• Assist with soil fertility, composting, garden planning, seed supply, pruning, and irrigation.
• Initiates orders for garden equipment/tools and supplies in connection with scheduled garden projection.
• Performs other duties as required to accomplish the objectives of the position.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge and Skills:
  • The position requires basic knowledge of the principles and practices of age appropriate child development and guidance applicable for an educational setting. Requires working knowledge of the basic subjects taught in the District schools, including science, arithmetic, language and reading, with sufficient competency to assist students with individual or group projects. Requires a basic knowledge of teaching and instruction methods. Requires knowledge of and skill at using personal computers, audiovisual, and other equipment to support learning. Requires sufficient human relation skills to work productively and cooperatively with teachers, students, and parents in formal and informal settings, to exercise patience when conveying information, and demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of students. May require knowledge of and competency in a second language.
• Abilities:
  • Requires the ability to assist teaching staff with implementation of instructional goals and activities. Requires the ability to assess the needs of individual students and develop strategies to meet those needs. Requires the ability to interact with teachers, parents, and specialists in order to carry out assigned duties. Requires the ability to oversee students, provide supervision in an outdoor garden setting, and perform general clerical tasks. Requires the ability to make informal presentations to individual and small groups of students and assist with demonstrations of assigned subject matter to classroom sized groups. Requires the ability to maintain confidentiality and impartiality when dealing with private and sensitive information. Requires the ability to relate positively to students in a teaching/learning environment in a way that builds confidence and recognizes socioeconomic and cultural differences among children. Requires the ability to balance emotional support and discipline and deal with common behavior problems.

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED.
• AA/AS degree, or 48+ semester college units, or Paraprofessional Certification.
• Experience working with students in a classroom or equivalent environment .

Licenses and Certificates:

• May require a valid driver's license.
• May require a valid First Aid/CPR card.

Application Document Requirements:

• Resume
• High School diploma or GED.
• AA/AS degree, or 48+ semester college units, or Paraprofessional Certification.

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass an approved pre-placement medical assesment.

The district offers the Paraprofessional test. Please visit the Human Resources Testing Page to review testing information and to register for testing if you need to meet this requirement

Salary and Terms of Service:
Salary range (26) $20.62 - $25.38 per hour, eight (8) steps, seven (7) hours per day and five (5) days per week (M-F), 11 months per year. Holidays, sick leave and vacation benefits. Prepaid family dental, medical, and vision insurance, prepaid life insurance plan for employee only, prorated according to number of hours worked.

Required Application Procedure:
Apply Online. An online application and all documents supporting the application requirements noted above must accompany your application by the closing date in order to receive consideration for this position. It shall be the applicant's responsibility to supply copies of all documentation, letters of recommendation etc. or other related materials.

Selection Procedure:
A screening committee will evaluate each application, personal resume, and other letters of reference. Interviews will be scheduled for qualified applicants. If after interviews suitable applicants are not found, the search will continue. As required by California State Law, should you be employed by the District, your fingerprints will be taken and submitted to the Justice Department and the FBI for a background check. Processing fee will be at applicant's expense.