Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm
Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm

Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm

London Temporary 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of community gardens and deliver educational workshops.
  • Company: Kentish Town City Farm connects city dwellers with nature and promotes community involvement.
  • Benefits: Flexible hours, hands-on experience, and a chance to make a real impact in the community.
  • Why this job: Join us in transforming gardens into vibrant spaces while celebrating our 50th anniversary!
  • Qualifications: Experience in gardening, community engagement, and delivering educational events required.
  • Other info: This is a 10-month fixed-term role with a focus on organic gardening and biodiversity.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

Contract: 10 months fixed term to December 2022

Hours: 24 hours a week, (flexible to needs of project, delivery to include a minimum of one weekend day a week).

About Us

Kentish Town City Farm is a local charity that helps city people connect with animals, nature and the environment. We have a rich history dating back to 1972, when we became the first city farm established in the UK. Since the beginning, our ethos has been grounded in inclusiveness and participation of the local community, which remains at the heart of our values today.

Job Overview

We are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing our gardens as a community growing space. This will include delivering the educational component of our flagship Nursery for the Neighbourhood project. As part of this project, we are running a 4-month traineeship that involves transforming our current, traditional allotment-style garden into a productive space open to the community. We are keen to use this project to bring regenerative gardening, polyculture design, and agroecology into our practices at the farm. Already well-loved locally, this project will be a step change for the gardens, making sure we are as well known for our growing as we are for our animal care. This work will be a celebration of our 50th year taking the farm beyond the gates and back to our roots in the community. This is an exciting time for the farm. We are looking for someone who shares this enthusiasm and can provide horticultural and gardening expertise to drive this initiative, making sure the gardens reach their full potential as a productive food growing space. We want to broaden our audience by incorporating the world garden movement into this project to create a space that is as diverse and representative as our neighbourhood.

Role and Responsibilities

  • To lead the development of the gardens, creating clear plans for maximizing the productivity of the gardens, establishing engagement opportunities for all ages and stages and supporting a team of trainees and volunteers to deliver this.
  • Support the Coordinator in finalising the traineeship syllabus.
  • Deliver the traineeship through a combination of lessons and practical sessions as laid out in the syllabus.
  • With the trainees, use survey data to design basic polycultures that can be planted out into the garden.
  • Coordinate donations and purchases of seeds and plug plants required to achieve results for this growing season.
  • With trainees, create a visual representation of the garden plan to be shared with the farm community.
  • Establish a plan to convert our existing allotment-style garden to a communal growing space that prioritises organic gardening, biodiversity, and soil health.
  • Deliver the practical hands-on component of the training programme aligned with programme modules and learning outcomes.
  • Work with the existing stakeholders and keep the team up to date with plans as the project develops, where possible finding ways to integrate the gardens into the day to day running of the farm.
  • With the Volunteer Manager establish dedicated times when members of the public can volunteer in the gardens.
  • Support the staff team to develop knowledge and understanding of gardening and growing that has a positive ecological impact in terms of biodiversity and soil health.
  • Work with the Coordinator to ensure this work is embedded in the organisational culture, making sure the team are invested in the gardens as a core area of work.
  • Deliver garden elements of other projects (e.g. playscheme, schools workshops etc) as required.
  • Other duties as required.

Person Specification

  • Clear, effective communicator, experienced at supporting a diverse team including, performance management, timetabling etc.
  • Qualification in gardening and or growing, knowledge/ understanding of organic gardening, regenerative gardening, agroecology, permaculture and/or polyculture design and practices.
  • Experience working in community gardens.
  • Experience of enabling and supporting others.
  • Experience delivering workshops or practical educational events on themes listed above.
  • Proactive, solution-driven, able to work under own initiative and deliver tasks to a high standard.
  • A team player able to actively engage colleagues in administrative processes and deliver policies that support healthy team dynamics.

Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm employer: Organic Growers Alliance

Kentish Town City Farm is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, deeply rooted in community engagement and environmental stewardship. As a Garden Educator, you will have the unique opportunity to lead transformative gardening projects while working alongside passionate colleagues and local volunteers, all within a supportive environment that prioritises personal and professional growth. With a commitment to regenerative practices and a focus on educational outreach, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact but also celebrates the rich history of the farm as it connects people with nature.
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Contact Detail:

Organic Growers Alliance Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the principles of regenerative gardening and agroecology. Understanding these concepts will not only help you in discussions during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the farm's ethos.

Tip Number 2

Engage with local community gardening groups or initiatives. This will not only expand your network but also give you practical insights into community engagement, which is crucial for this role.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in delivering educational workshops. Think of specific examples where you've successfully engaged diverse audiences, as this aligns closely with the job requirements.

Tip Number 4

Show your enthusiasm for the farm's mission by researching its history and current projects. Being able to articulate how your values align with theirs will make a strong impression during any conversations.

We think you need these skills to ace Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm

Effective Communication Skills
Gardening Expertise
Knowledge of Organic Gardening
Understanding of Regenerative Gardening
Agroecology Knowledge
Permaculture Design Skills
Polyculture Design Practices
Experience in Community Gardens
Workshop Delivery Experience
Team Leadership
Performance Management
Proactive Problem-Solving
Ability to Work Independently
Collaboration and Teamwork
Project Coordination

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Garden Educator position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the role.

Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any experience you have in gardening, community engagement, or educational roles. Provide specific examples of how you've supported diverse teams or delivered workshops related to gardening and ecological practices.

Express Your Passion: Convey your enthusiasm for gardening and community involvement in your application. Share personal stories or motivations that demonstrate your commitment to organic gardening, biodiversity, and working with local communities.

Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a personalised cover letter that addresses the specific needs of Kentish Town City Farm. Mention how your values align with their mission and how you can contribute to the development of their gardens as a community space.

How to prepare for a job interview at Organic Growers Alliance

Show Your Passion for Gardening

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for gardening and community engagement during the interview. Share personal experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to organic gardening, biodiversity, and working with diverse communities.

Demonstrate Your Teaching Skills

Since the role involves delivering educational components, be prepared to discuss your experience in teaching or facilitating workshops. Provide examples of how you've successfully engaged participants in hands-on learning about gardening or related topics.

Highlight Your Teamwork Experience

This position requires collaboration with trainees, volunteers, and staff. Be ready to share specific instances where you have effectively worked as part of a team, supported others, and contributed to a positive team dynamic.

Prepare Questions About the Project

Show your interest in the role by preparing thoughtful questions about the Nursery for the Neighbourhood project. Ask about their vision for the gardens, how they plan to engage the community, and what challenges they foresee in transforming the space.

Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm
Organic Growers Alliance
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  • Garden Educator – Kentish Town City Farm

    London
    Temporary
    24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-06-21

  • O

    Organic Growers Alliance

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