Under the direction and guidance of the Program Lead of Operations, this position assists participants from St. Joseph’s Villa’s Educational Services programs to acquire skills necessary to prepare for, or obtain employment, or continue to post-secondary training/education.

The Garden Transition Specialist oversees the Villa Garden training activities offered through Career and Transition Services (CATS) at St. Joseph’s Villa and actively participates with the team to facilitate garden training activities for our participants.

Specific responsibilities include developing the garden planting schedule that the team will utilize for training activities. Additionally, the Garden Transition Specialist will plan, train and assist our participants in cultivating organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, and perennials in our garden location, soil cultivation, weeding, pruning, watering, mulching, composting, cover cropping, harvesting, managing farm tools and engaging with onsite Villa participants.

The Garden Transition Specialist is also responsible for facilitating all garden training activities and serves as an instructor, advisor, and career mentor to participants in CATS. Responsibilities also include continual curriculum development and improvement and facilitated growth of relationships with the local horticulture industry and completion of monthly documentation of activity and student progress, or additional documentation as needed. This position also plans and organizes many of the volunteer projects that are to be held in the garden space.

All work is performed safely, effectively, to the highest ethical standards, and in accordance with regulatory and accrediting standards and St. Joseph’s Villa’s mission, values and guiding principles.

BS/BA degree preferred with three years related experience (experience can be used in lieu of degree) Proficient with Windows, Outlook, internet research, and MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Excellent verbal and written communication skills, understands the data collection needs of the service. Valid VA driver’s license with excellent driving record.