Employment part-time, Brisbane: School Garden Support Worker

The Barrett Adolescent Centre School is seeking a garden support worker. The school is a residential Special School located in the Brisbane suburb of Wacol and caters to a small group of high school students with mental health issues.

The ideal applicant will:

• Be an experienced organic gardener with a good understanding of Permaculture design principles and practices. A Permaculture Design Certificate would be highly regarded
• Be a good communicator with the ability to develop rapport with a wide range of people within a strong school community
• Have a gentle, patient and empathetic approach that fosters trust in adolescents with mental health issues

The position is for 7 hours per week (ideally on a Thursday). During this time the applicant would:

• Maintain existing gardens including watering, weeding, mulching, propagating and planting both annual and perennial plants including vegetables, herbs and natives
• Develop new gardens according to the design plan and in consultation with the school community
• Work with the teaching faculty to facilitate three half-hour lessons in the garden, using an experiential approach to learning

This is a temporary part-time position for 7-months and is paid under the Teachers Aide Award at between $17 and $20 per hour, dependent upon skills and experience. To qualify you must hold a current Blue Card or be in the process of acquiring one.

For further information contact the Principal Kevin Rodgers on 3271 8739 or email your resume to krodg9@qld.edu.au by 15 October 2010. The preferred applicant must be able to commence work at the beginning of November.