Position Summary: The Summer Apprenticeship is an opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in garden sites and a public-facing position to work alongside diverse communities of gardeners in the Burlington area.

Duration: May 18 - August 14

Hours: 8-12 hours per week. Preferred availability on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Occasional evenings and Saturdays may be required. 

Primary Duties: 

• Participate in garden tasks such as seeding, transplanting, harvesting, weeding, mulching, pest management, and watering. Our sites resemble small-scale market gardens and we work with hand tools to tend to vegetables, herbs, flowers, and perennials.
• Support both new and experienced gardeners in a family-friendly, multicultural environment.
• Support VGN staff during community work days and workshops by assisting in preparing materials, participating in group activities, and tidying up after events.
• Co-facilitate weekly garden-related activities for children ages birth to 6 year olds and their adult caregivers
• Collaborate in the development of curriculum that includes hands-on gardening, cooking, nutrition, herbalism, and food preservation activities
• Document tasks as required, through photographs, logs, and spreadsheets
• Participate as needed in other garden education activities during public events, conferences, and programs coordinated by the Vermont Garden Network

Skills & Qualifications: 

• Interest in community-based gardening, food systems, experiential education, agroecology
• Prior experience in organic vegetable gardening and/or farming is required
• Prior experience working with young children is required
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with young children and adults
• Openness to learn about different cultures and perspectives
• Able and willing to work independently and take initiative 
• Ability to clearly, effectively, and regularly communicate via email and phone 
• Creative, fun-loving, and dynamic personality with a passion for community engagement
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and joyfully do physical work in all weather conditions 
• Personal transportation to get to garden sites in and around Burlington is required 
• Experience with graphic design, video editing, and/or web design is desirable
• Spanish, Nepali or Swahili language skills are desirable