Garden Education Specialist

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Garden Education Specialist at Edible Schoolyard Project

Location: Berkeley, California

Number of Positions Available: 6

Time Commitment: September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026. Fellows commit to a 40-hour work week, typically Monday - Friday approximately 8:30am - 5pm, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 175+ of these hours are dedicated to professional development. 

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Program, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 15, 2025 - Aug 14, 2026 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Program.

——

About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2025-26 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—but with over 175 dedicated hours for professional development and training while receiving hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion and edible food recovery.

———

Applications are accepted May 1 - July  31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025.

———

Program Benefits

The Edible Schoolyard offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a collaborative and innovative team dedicated to edible education. Through hands-on experience at a vibrant school garden and kitchen classroom, fellows gain invaluable skills in leadership, community engagement, and environmental stewardship while contributing to shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for children and communities. Engage in organization-wide professional development opportunities, including curriculum design and maintenance of thriving green spaces. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $35,000 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Earn up to $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 175+ hours of training and professional development
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term*
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance* (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

Be part of an innovative team dedicated to edible education at The Edible Schoolyard Project (ESY) where creativity, collaboration, and equity are at the forefront. As a Fellow, you'll immerse yourself in a whole-child educational model, blending life skills, academics, environmental stewardship, and health in the garden and kitchen classroom. At our Berkeley site—located on the King Middle School campus—you'll promote climate service and education in a vibrant school garden. You’ll collaborate closely with our teaching team and embrace a community rich in environmental and social justice activism. With mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities tailored to your goals, join us in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future, one joyful event and learning experience at a time. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide edible education, integrating life skills, academics, citizenship, and environmental stewardship in the garden and kitchen classroom
• Lead volunteer activities and learning experiences, collaborating closely with the teaching team to promote climate-focused education in the garden and kitchen classrooms and beyond
• Expand and strengthen our volunteer base from our extensive network of community partners and members
• Implement community and environmental health initiatives, utilizing our school garden as a hub for events and learning experiences
• Complete a range of gardening tasks, including weeding, watering, planting, harvesting, chicken care, and more
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 15, 2025
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 15, 2025
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Experience in Community Outreach, Composting, Data/Quantitative Analysis, Edible Food Recovery, Engaging with K-12 students, Event Coordination & Planning, Google Suite, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Volunteer Management & Engagement, and the Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About Edible Schoolyard Project

The Edible Schoolyard Project is a nonprofit dedicated to using organic school gardens, kitchens, and cafeterias to teach the values of nourishment, stewardship, and community. Our curriculum offers students experiential learning opportunities that deepen their relationship with food, facilitate learning the skills of cooking and gardening, build their capacity for critical examination of the food system, and develop their agency to affect change in their own lives and in their communities. We provide hands-on experiences that connect students to food, nature, and each other. More info: edibleschoolyard.org

——

Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025. Interviews will take place May - August, with all positions filled by September 2025. This is a competitive program and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applications are for the California Climate Action Corps Program in general, but applicants can select up to 5 preferred organizations and positions within the application.

*Program structure, fellow benefits, and final participation are subject to approved grant award(s).