Garden Instructor (Arts-Based Education)

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Flexible schedule
• Training & development
  
  
  

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) cultivates curiosity and creative exploration for youth through the arts and sciences. Located in the heart of Oakland on the shores of Lake Merritt, the Center is dedicated to providing equitable access to our programs for all youth and their families throughout Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. We harness the power of creativity and experiential learning to inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.

We value the necessity of equity and representation in the fields of art and science, and strive to invest in the future of these fields by providing equitable access to our programs.

Our team of Teaching Artists are an essential part of the Junior Center’s community. Teaching Artists design and deliver arts and sciences curriculum to students from ages 6 - 17 years old through our youth, family, and community programs. We have several part-time Teaching Artist positions currently open, including After-school Instructors, Workshop Facilitators, in-school Educators-in-Residence, and Camp.

Start Date: September 2025

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS), is seeking a dynamic and creative Garden Instructor to lead middle and high school classes that integrate gardening with arts-based learning. The ideal candidate is passionate about connecting young people to the natural world while fostering creativity, self-expression, and community through hands-on exploration.

This position requires someone who can design and deliver engaging lessons that merge gardening practices (planting, composting, sustainability, food systems) with creative arts approaches (eco-art, visual journaling, design thinking, storytelling, and collaborative projects).

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and teach garden-based lessons for middle and high school students (ages 12–17) with a strong emphasis on creativity and the arts.
• Incorporate artistic methods into gardening instruction, such as plant-based dyes, garden design as art, sketching and documenting growth, or sculpture with natural materials, design thinking and conservation techniques.
• Facilitate hands-on learning that deepens students’ understanding of ecology, sustainability, and food justice.
• Create an inclusive, welcoming environment where all students feel encouraged to explore and express themselves.
• Collaborate with JCAS staff and teaching artists to align curriculum with organizational goals and program themes.
• Maintain garden space and materials for student use, ensuring safe and sustainable practices.
• Support student-led projects that connect the garden to broader community and cultural contexts.
• Document student progress and contribute to program evaluations when needed.
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Experience teaching or mentoring middle and/or high school youth in an educational or community setting.
• Background in gardening, horticulture, sustainability, environmental science, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate arts-based approaches into teaching (visual arts, design, storytelling etc.).
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Strong classroom management and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small, creative nonprofit team.
• Flexibility, problem-solving, and a passion for working with young people.co-workers, and volunteers
• Strong oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; ability to facilitate group decision-making; ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; strong attention to detail.
• Able to communicate clearly and efficiently with a variety of audiences
• A strong desire for continued learning/growth in one’s teaching practice
• Must pass a post-employment criminal background check and provide negative TB test
• Instructors are required to attend professional development training as scheduled.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in school gardens, youth development programs, or arts-integrated teaching.
• Knowledge of Oakland/East Bay communities and the unique strengths and challenges they bring.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills a plus.
  
  
  

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

• Must be able to regularly lift up to 25lbs.
• Must be able to sit and stand for long durations of time.
• Must have regular access to reliable transportation. For example, own a working, reliable vehicle and hold a current, valid CA driver’s license or have regular access to public transportation. Staff may be required to bring materials to and from work sites.
  
  
  

Schedule & Compensation

• Part-time, hourly position aligned with school-year programming.
• Classes typically meet once or twice weekly.
• Compensation: $27–$31/hour (commensurate with experience).
  
  
  

How To Apply

Please send a resume, brief cover letter, and (if available) a sample lesson plan or description of how you integrate arts into gardening education to: cgerachis@juniorcenter.org with the subject line: Garden Instructor Application

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is an independent, non-profit organization which has been providing educational programs to children and teens for over 65 years. JCAS serves thousands of local children annually through school residency programs, after school and summer camps and courses, and a variety of art and science activities for children and their families.

Multilingual, people of color, and LGBTQIA encouraged to apply.

To learn more, visit the Center’s web site at www.juniorcenter.org

The Junior Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.