Character Cultivator Garden 31 Vista, CA Job Details Part-time $24 - $28 an hour 1 day ago Benefits Paid training Opportunities for advancement Food provided Qualifications Outdoor work experience Rakes Shovels Relationship management Hand tools Full Job Description Our Vision Garden 31 exists to create communities in which all people have access to nutritious food in an environment that is conducive to growth, health, and prosperity. We believe gardens are more than places where food grows—they are places where people grow. Through hands-on horticulture, restorative practices, and meaningful mentorship, we help young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and a deeper connection to themselves, their community, and the natural world. Position Summary Garden 31 is seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, and mission-driven Character Cultivator to lead youth garden education programs and mentor students through nature-based learning experiences. This role combines horticulture, education, and mentorship to create safe, engaging spaces where young people can develop practical gardening skills alongside essential life skills. Character Cultivators guide participants through seasonal gardening activities, facilitate reflective conversations, and model healthy relationships rooted in respect, accountability, curiosity, and personal growth. We highly value candidates whose lived experiences allow them to authentically connect with youth navigating adversity, trauma, or systemic barriers. Individuals who have transformed personal challenges into sources of strength and service are encouraged to apply. What You'll Do Youth Mentorship & Character Development Build consistent, trusting relationships with youth through authentic, respectful, and culturally responsive mentorship. Create welcoming environments where every participant feels seen, heard, valued, and connected. Model integrity, emotional intelligence, accountability, resilience, and respect in daily interactions. Utilize appropriate lived experiences to inspire hope, build trust, and encourage personal growth. Guide conversations that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and resilience. Reinforce personal growth using nature-based metaphors, including seasons, plant life cycles, soil health, and regeneration. Foster leadership by encouraging students to take ownership of projects, make decisions, and support one another. Horticulture & Youth Education Lead engaging, hands-on garden lessons using Garden 31's

G.R.O.W.E.R.

curriculum. Teach practical horticultural skills including planting, irrigation, composting, harvesting, soil health, pruning, pest management, and seasonal garden care. Adapt lessons to meet the needs, abilities, and interests of diverse learners. Encourage curiosity, environmental stewardship, and confidence through experiential learning. Help students understand the relationship between healthy ecosystems, healthy food, and healthy communities. Support participants in harvesting produce for distribution to students, families, and community members. Program Leadership Collaborate with the Program Coordinator to develop seasonal programming and educational goals. Support implementation of Garden 31's mission, curriculum, and restorative practices across all program sites. Communicate observations regarding student development, site needs, supplies, and program improvements. Provide timely communication regarding scheduling and attendance. Maintain organized, safe, and welcoming garden environments. On-Site Responsibilities Prepare learning spaces, materials, tools, whiteboards, shade structures, and lesson supplies before each session. Lead daily program activities while maintaining an engaging and structured learning environment. Reinforce positive behavioral expectations and professional conduct. Maintain participant sign-in/sign-out records and accountability for tools and equipment. Ensure safe tool use and adherence to established garden safety procedures. Keep sessions on schedule, including setup, instruction, hands-on activities, reflection, and cleanup. Encourage teamwork, responsibility, and shared ownership of garden spaces. Qualifications Required Experience in horticulture, gardening, agriculture, landscaping, or related hands-on growing environments. Experience mentoring, coaching, teaching, or supporting youth and young adults. Lived experience that contributes to authentic, compassionate relationship-building with youth facing adversity, trauma, or systemic barriers. Passion for outdoor education, food justice, environmental stewardship, and community building. Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build trust across diverse backgrounds. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a small team. Must successfully pass all required criminal background checks and clearances prior to employment and maintain eligibility to work in school and juvenile detention settings. Ideal Candidate The ideal Character Cultivator is someone who believes every young person has the capacity to grow when given opportunity, consistency, and encouragement. They are equally comfortable teaching how to transplant seedlings, facilitatingmeaningful conversations, and helping youth discover confidence through hard work, responsibility, and connection with nature. They recognize gardens as living classrooms and understand that cultivating character often happens while cultivating soil. Physical Requirements This position requires regular physical activity in outdoor garden environments.

Candidates should be able to:

Safely operate common gardening tools, including shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes, hoes, and hand tools. Lift and carry approximately 50-75 pounds. Walk and maintain balance on uneven terrain. Stand, bend, kneel, squat, reach, and perform repetitive physical movements for extended periods. Work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including direct sun and heat. Comfortably handle soil, compost, plants, insects, and other natural materials. Practice safe body mechanics while performing gardening tasks. Why Join Garden 31? At Garden 31, we believe that growing food is one of the most powerful ways to grow people. As a Character Cultivator, you will help young people discover resilience, purpose, leadership, and belonging through meaningful work in the garden. Every seed planted becomes an opportunity to cultivate confidence, restore hope, and strengthen community. If you believe in the transformative power of mentorship, horticulture, and lived experience, we invite you to grow with us.

Pay:

$24.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

Food provided Opportunities for advancement Paid training People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

In person