Title: Gardens Education Coordinator (faculty)

Department/Location: Sustainability, St. Louis

Organizational Relationship: Reports to Upper School Principal.   Works in conjunction with Outdoor Learning Coordinator and Sustainability Coordinator.  Works closely with all division principals and faculty members at all levels as well as After School Coordinator and Camp Program Director. 

Who We Are

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community that is preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and globally engaged community by promoting cultural diversity and multicultural understanding while fostering an environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel accepted and supported.

Summary:  Responsible for the education of each student in terms of our food gardens and livestock.  Creates and delivers programming to students that are integrated into their curriculum.  Maintains all food gardens and livestock. Is a relevant professional in the non-Principia community.

Full time, 11-month position.  Salary spread evenly over 12 months, but hours vary throughout the year. 

Work Performed / Essential Duties:

• Permaculture orchard maintenance and programming
• Convert Upper School garden to a food forest and promote curricular connections
• Help Lower School plan their beds and integrate into their classes
• Maintain and promote chicken/duck coops on Lower School playground, Permaculture orchard, and Upper School garden
• Native bed care (12+ beds around developed parts of campus), including cultivating future native plants for campus use by Landscaping
• Maintain colonies of healthy bees for pollination and production of honey
• Support the care of Early Childhood horse as needed
• Explore, curate and deliver sessions with children K-5 in Summertime Discovery programming
• After School programming
• Proactively research, plan and support Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School programs, as needed. 
• Attend professional development at each level where appropriate
• Maintain herb garden
• Host seed-to-table events, including: Sales from garden, Promoting Sage dining room use, Raise food awareness
• Develop and maintain relationship with Sage Dining as an important seed-to-table component
• Eradicate honeysuckle and support land management needs, especially in the non-growing season
• Give tours to local groups, including hosting a stop on the St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour each summer
• Be guided by Strategic Goals
• Collaborate with local professionals and varied Principia departments
• Pursue certifications and trainings, as needed
• Aesthetics for all areas of maintenance should align with Principia and Town and Country standards (tidy and well-kempt)

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Outdoor Classroom Management - Connect with students of all ages; stay up-to-date on effective teaching methods and practices that engage all students
• Project Management - Develop project plans; coordinate projects
• Relationship Development - Manage difficult situations; respond promptly to teacher or department needs; seek feedback from faculty and staff to improve performance
• Oral and Written Communication - Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; writes clearly and informatively
• Quality Management - Look for ways to improve and promote quality
• Business Acumen - Align work with strategic goals
• Ethics - Treat people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; work with integrity and ethically; uphold organizational values
• Strategic Thinking - Develop strategies to achieve organizational goals; adapt strategy to changing conditions
• Initiative - Take independent actions and calculated risks; look for and takes advantage of opportunities
• Innovation - Display original thinking and creativity; meet challenges with resourcefulness; develop innovative approaches and ideas
• Judgment - Display willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; support and explain reasoning for decisions; include appropriate people in decision-making process
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritize and plan work activities; use time efficiently; plan for additional resources; develop realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approach others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure. Maintain accurate and detailed records.
• Safety and Security - Observe safety and security procedures; determine appropriate action beyond guidelines; report potentially unsafe conditions ; use equipment and materials properly

*The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Active (or pending) membership in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and/or a Journal-listed branch church or society; if not a member, then aligns with Principia’s values. Those who are not members of a Christian Science church are currently referred to as Visiting Professionals, though the position is still a full-time, school-year position; not temporary.
• Christian Science class instruction preferred but not required
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Natural Resources, Education or related field(s)
• Work experience in agricultural practices and native gardens
• Experience at curriculum planning
• Experience working with students ages Pre-K – 12^th grade
• Collaborates well with others and capable of respectfully navigating multiple stakeholders
• Experienced character educator
• Previous livestock and apiary experience preferred

About The Principia School

At Principia School, students are encouraged to embrace their unlimited potential—with curiosity, confidence, and the knowledge that their educational journey will be guided by those who believe in boundless possibility. Every day we “mark the perfect man”(Psalms 37:37). This guides us to see each other as whole and unlimited. We see the good in every student—and because we do, they see the good in themselves. From that starting point, all things are possible. Job candidates’ overall outlook and approach to life and learning are just as important to us as appropriate qualifications and experience. Principia School seeks individuals who are . . . Positive: We appreciate team members who are optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. We are a strengths-based organization; faculty and staff are expected to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other. Team players: The ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior administrators is critical. The School has a strong team-centered leadership approach. Staff are expected to be able to listen, give and receive feedback, and be com...fortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner. They must bring a constructive outlook to partnering with a wide range of stakeholders—administrators, faculty, coaches, residential life, and central administration. Innovators: Given our fast-moving, ever-changing world, all School employees are expected to demonstrate a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues. The School emphasizes continual improvement and expects staff to have a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence. Strategic thinkers: We prize the ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.

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