Organization Details
13.6 acre ethnobotanical garden in Captain Cook containing endangered, native, and canoe plants. The Garden works to conserve plants and cultural plant uses via education, community outreach, research, plant propagation, and restoration. Only federally qualified Community Forest in Hawaii.
Opportunity Details
Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (the Garden), one of the most important curated collections of native and cultural plants in the Pacific, seeks an Education Coordinator to develop the organization’s education and related programs and projects that support our
strategic mission. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position serves the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (the Friends). KeyGarden educational programs focus on Hawai’i’s biocultural heritage, ecological restoration,
food sovereignty, climate adaptation, recreation and community building. For several decades, the Garden has been an inspiring venue for K-12 educational programs, adult education, community workshops, ethnobotanical festivals, plant sales and scientific research. Prior to the
recent pandemic, the Garden welcomed over 12,000 student and adult visitors annually. The Education Coordinator position represents a unique opportunity for a highly motivated individual with relevant knowledge and career goals. We encourage applications from
candidates with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, who aspire to join us in fulfilling the Garden’s great potential.
Title: EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Job Type: Full-time (FTE) 40 hrs/wk, at-will, exempt.
Compensation: Annual salary starting at $52,000 depending on experience, plus benefits.
Primary Workplace Location: Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook, HI
Employer: Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
Application Deadline: Immediate acceptance of applications. Applications accepted until the
position is filled. Interviews may begin December 2023.
Application Instructions: Email cover letter, résumé, and contact information for 3 professional
references to: mariemorin24@gmail.com.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES:
1. Embody the Friends mission, vision, and strategic plan during interaction of educators, students and visitors, and in curriculum development.
2. Create and adapt curriculum to support knowledge and interpretation of Hawaiian history and cultural practices; indigenous, endemic and canoe plants; as well as biodiversity conservation and sustainability; relevant to K-12 and adults.
3. Reach out to schools and potential education partners to develop and coordinate education opportunities both in the Garden and offsite (eg. visiting school classrooms, and community lectures).
4. Coordinate and lead educational and tour groups, for schools and the public, along with volunteers, staff and docents who may assist in fulfilling educational activities.
5. Work closely with the Executive Director in calendaring events and compiling use data. Develop and participate in community outreach events to increase the visibility of programs in service areas.
6. Assist in organizing and working with the Education Committee and appropriate working groups, along with other Garden staff, to develop online and other community learning resources.
7. Identify and create relationships with cultural practitioners/knowledgeable people and outreach to organizations in the community - to partner with them on projects and in hosting guest speaker/lecture/workshop/talk story events or series.
8. Take responsibility as assigned for fulfilling project outputs and goals; report to the supervisor (through meetings and/or written reports, as agreed) on a regular basis.
9. Maintain records, summarize, and report educational and community enrollment and attendance monthly.
10. Assist in grant writing and intern management, as appropriate.
11. Other assigned tasks as identified by the incumbent and the supervisor.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor's Degree in Education, Ethnobotany, Hawaiian Studies, or a field of study related to the Garden mission. Relevant experience will be considered.
2. 2 years experience developing and implementing education programs and materials.
3. Drivers License, and daily access to car with current auto insurance coverage and availability throughout the week during normal business hours; mileage reimbursed.
4. Demonstrated ability to work well, both independently and in a team.
5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, social network platforms, and archival/filing systems for documents.
6. Familiar with state and federal civil rights and related policies in relation to education. Ability to function as a “Mandated Reporter” in areas of suspected child abuse; guideline training to be provided.
7. Excellent verbal, written, organizational and communication skills.
8. Successful planning and time management skills needed to assist or develop programs.
9. Skills to relate with people from different communities.
OTHER DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:
1. Demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity to the interests and needs of Hawaiian families with children, including sensitivity to pre-kindergarten children
2. Some flexibility in work hours to accommodate some out-of-office and weekend work as agreed to by supervisor.
3. Knowledge of Hawaiian plants and cultural practices related to plants.
4. Knowledge of or ability to gain proper use of relevant Hawaiian language and culture in educational products.
5. Community First Aid and CPR certified, or willing to become certified.
Working Conditions: Office and outdoor settings; some walking on uneven terrain, standing for
extended periods, at times. Some weekend activities. Limited travel.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic
information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status. In compliance with federal law and as a condition of employment, all employees must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Marie Morin at mariemorin24@gmail.com.
BACKGROUND OF THE FRIENDS:
The Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (Friends) is a community-based non-profit founded in 2016 that owns and manages the ethnobotanical Garden/Community Forest (Garden) located in Captain Cook, Hawai’i Island. The Friends purchased the decades-old Garden in 2019 after several years of fund-raising and after its many years of closure prior to the purchase. The grand re-opening of the Garden was held in February 2020, after which the Covid pandemic caused partial re-closure. The Friends have been rebuilding the Garden’s programs, membership base, and funding resources.
MORE ABOUT THE GARDEN:
The Mission Statement of the Friends is: “As stewards of the Garden’s legacy, we cultivate opportunities for everyone to enjoy our Hawaiian botanical and cultural resources through educational programs, scientific research, recreation, and conservation for the islands and the world.” The Garden’s deeds now ensure that it will be preserved as open green space in perpetuity. Located in Kealakekua ahupua’a, the 13.6- acre Garden is home to over 200 native and endangered Hawaiian plants, as well as Polynesian canoe plants of cultural importance, living collections of kalo (taro) and sugar cane and other agroforestry cultivars, a large intact archaeological remnant of the Hawaiian agricultural Kona Field System, representative plant zone groupings, and a Hawaiian Heiau. The Garden is the only federally-designated Community Forest in Hawai’i. The Friends have an evolving Strategic Plan, and current planned programming includes providing educational, recreational, and research opportunities to the community and visitors. Our website is www.amygreenwell.garden Our vision is: “Ka mālama’ana I ka mo’omeheu. I mea e ola ai mai kēia mua aku. Preserving culture. So that there is life to come.”