Volunteer Outdoor Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This role is ideal for former classroom teachers who love teaching-but are ready for a different environment.Ready to Grow Gardens is seeking highly adaptable, confident educators to lead hands-on, TEKS-aligned science instruction in outdoor classroom gardens across Houston-area elementary schools. This is not a passive or assistant role. You'll lead groups independently, make real-time instructional decisions, and manage multiple grade levels throughout the day-using nature as your classroom. Garden Educator (Full or part time positions available/ School Year Only)

Ready to Grow Gardens - Houston, TX

About Us

Ready to Grow Gardens (RTGG) is Houston's premier outdoor education company. We partner with schools across the city to create and teach in living, outdoor classrooms - organic vegetable and pollinator gardens where science comes to life.

Founded in 2002 by Stephanie Baker, a previously certified Texas Master Gardener, RTGG has grown to serve 35 schools across four districts for the 2025-2026 school year. Our team of passionate garden educators helps students from PreK-5th grade plant seeds, tend ecosystems, and harvest food - all while connecting their work to Texas Science TEKS.

Now in our 23rd year, we are proud to be Texas's longest-running garden education company, inspiring over 20,000 students each year to get their hands in the soil and their minds in the science.

Schools are mainly located in CyFair ISD and Houston ISD around the Heights.

About the Role

We're seeking applicants who love working with children, find joy in all things outdoors, and thrive in dynamic, ever-changing environments. We currently have open both a full time and a part time position.

As a Garden Educator, you are the face of Ready to Grow Gardens interacting with teachers, students, administrators, and parent volunteers. You'll visit a different campus each day (one per day), teaching our pre-designed, TEKS-aligned lessons, in outdoor classrooms - the garden.

This is not a traditional teaching job - and that's what makes it special. There's no grading, no discipline, and no parent contacts. Instead, your classroom is alive, unpredictable, and full of wonder. You'll guide students as they explore science through nature and see firsthand the joy of curiosity blooming in real time.

What You'll Do

• Teach 6-9 engaging, 30-45 minute lessons per day to PreK-5th grade students
• Use our fully designed TEKS-aligned curriculum (no lesson planning required)
• Perform garden maintenance (weeding, planting, pruning, fertilizing) to keep gardens thriving
• Collaborate with fellow Garden Educators one Sunday afternoon per month to prepare for the upcoming month's lessons
• Send short, timely Garden Day follow-up emails to schools when necessary
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with students, teachers, and administrators
• Communicate proactively with schools to ensure gardens stay healthy between visits

Who Thrives in This Role

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Loves variety - every day and every school is different.
• Enjoys physical work and being outdoors, even in Houston's heat and humidity.
• Finds joy in flexibility rather than routine.
• Values meaningful, hands-on teaching over paperwork or test prep.
• Stays upbeat and professional even when the weather (or the garden) throws surprises your way.
• Takes ownership of preparation and shows up ready to teach and inspire.

It's not a good fit for someone who prefers predictable routines, indoor settings, or rigid schedules. Our work is living and changing - just like the gardens we tend.

The Realities of the Work

We believe in being honest about what this job is - and what it's not.

• You'll be outside for 6-8 hours on Garden Days - in the sun, humidity, and occasional drizzle.
• You'll often work independently, tending to the garden before or after teaching. There is plenty of training to set you up for success, but this job is very independent.
• The schedule follows the school calendar - no work during school holidays or summer break, although potential opportunities for summer work can be discussed.
• We have both full and part-time positions available.
• You'll spend a small amount of prep time at home reviewing lessons and packing materials before teaching days.

If teaching under a blue sky makes you smile - you'll probably love it here.

Hours & Pay

• Part and full time school-year position (August-May)
• $20/hour starting pay, ( after 60 day review, pay increases to $25/ hour) including paid training and travel time
• Typical workdays: 7:30 AM-3:30 PM, 2-4 days per week
• Follows the school calendar - holidays and summers off

Why Work With Us

• Deep sense of purpose and visible student impact
• Supportive, knowledgeable team and positive work culture
• Opportunity to grow within the field of outdoor and environmental education
• The satisfaction of knowing your work helps kids fall in love with science and nature

Applying

Please apply and include brief responses to the following in your cover letter:

1. What draws you to outdoor teaching?
2. What's the most meaningful experience you've had working with children or in nature?

Applicants must reside in the Houston area or surrounding suburbs.

Requirements

What You'll Bring

• A genuine love of children and outdoor learning
• A positive, flexible attitude and strong communication skills
• Dependability and self-motivation
• Ability to lift, bend, and perform physical work in the garden, you should be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation (travel between campuses required)

Highly Preferred but not required:

• Experience teaching or working with children
• Gardening or horticulture knowledge
• Background in science, education, or environmental studies
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)

Benefits

• Training & Development
• Fast track to a deep understanding the steps to successful gardening in Houston
• Teaching and interacting with students in a nontraditional setting (garden/outdoor classroom).
• Team building with a group of like minded professional garden educators
• 3 paid sick days
• Paid mileage based on standard mileage rate
• Starting pay is $20/hr with room for negotiation based on experience and room for growth after 90 days