Food Science & Garden Education Intern – SOAR Elementary Summer Program (Summer 2026)

Food Science & Garden Education Intern

SOAR Elementary Summer Program (Summer 2026)

The Burlington School District believes a diverse and culturally proficient faculty and staff are pivotal to the creation of a strong learning and working environment that supports student achievement and success. BSD administrators lead inclusive school communities with our vision: "Cultivating caring, creative, and courageous people. - Join the journey.”

The Mission of the Burlington School District is to graduate students who:

• Value different cultures;
• Engage with the community;
• Communicate effectively;
• Think creatively;
• Skillfully solve problems; and
• Achieve at their highest academic, intellectual and personal potential.

The Burlington School District is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Food Science & Garden Education Intern to support our Summer Opportunities and enRichment (SOAR) Elementary Program. This paid internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in garden-based education, food science instruction, nutrition education, curriculum development, and student engagement.

The SOAR program supports elementary students through academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, and experiential learning opportunities designed to reduce summer learning loss. The Food Science & Garden Education Intern will work alongside the District's Food Science Coordinator to facilitate outdoor garden lessons, cooking activities, and nutrition education experiences for students in grades K–5.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support the development of garden-based lessons and cooking activities.
• Co-facilitate outdoor garden instruction for elementary students in grades K–5.
• Assist with school garden maintenance, including planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, and pest management.
• Prepare materials and learning spaces for instructional activities.
• Support student participation during food science and cooking lessons.
• Assist with program cleanup and organization of materials and equipment.
• Document student learning experiences through written summaries and reflections.
• Create a digital SOAR Summer Cookbook to share with students, families, and staff.
• Assist with collecting and organizing student and staff feedback regarding program experiences.
• Support program data collection, analysis, and reporting activities.

Preferred Skills & Learning Opportunities

Through this internship, candidates will gain experience in:

• Curriculum and lesson development
• Garden-based and experiential education
• Elementary student engagement and classroom management
• Food systems and sustainability education
• Culinary and nutrition instruction
• Garden maintenance and organic growing practices
• Data collection and program evaluation
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Communication and public education
• Creative problem-solving and adaptability

Qualifications

Successful candidates will possess:

• Interest in food science, nutrition, gardening, environmental education, or youth development.
• Experience working with children in an educational, camp, recreation, or youth-focused setting.
• Basic understanding of safe food handling practices and proper hygiene.
• Willingness to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Interest in gardening and sustainable growing practices.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Reliability, professionalism, and punctuality.
• Basic familiarity with Canva or similar graphic design software.
• Reliable transportation.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to push or pull garden carts, wheelbarrows, and equipment.
• Ability to bend, kneel, and work outdoors for extended periods.

Schedule & Location

SOAR Program Dates: June 29, 2026 – July 30, 2026

Primary Location: Integrated Arts Academy (IAA)
6 Archibald Street
Burlington, VT 05401

Program Schedule: Monday–Thursday, approximately 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Additional garden support, planning, research, and program evaluation work may occur before and after the SOAR program and may include flexible remote work opportunities, as approved by the supervisor.

Compensation

• $20.00 per hour
• Up to 150 total hours
• Maximum earnings of $3,000

Benefits

• Complimentary school lunch on SOAR instructional days.
• Professional experience working with Burlington School District educators and students.
• Opportunities to develop skills in education, food systems, gardening, and program evaluation.
• Access to surplus garden produce when available.

Employment Requirements

The selected candidate must successfully complete:

• Criminal background check
• Vermont fingerprinting process

Please note that the fingerprinting fee is the responsibility of the applicant.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit:

• Resume
• A brief paragraph describing your interest in the internship and how it aligns with your educational or career goals