Farming Teacher in Residence Internship in California

Summer Farming Teacher in Residence Internship at Slide Ranch in California – 2018

Slide Ranch is a non-profit farm-based environmental education organization located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, on coastal wildlands just 25 minutes north of San Francisco. The mission of Slide Ranch is to connect children to nature. We cultivate healthy bodies and minds and foster future generations of environmental stewards. By farming, cooking, caring for animals and exploring wilderness and the coast, we teach people of all ages to see the connection between their own health, a healthy food system and a healthy environment. 

 

The 2-1/2 month Summer Farming Teacher in Residence Internship (3 positions), and Summer Ranch and Camp Support Internship (1 position) run from May 29th to August 17th. Applications are accepted beginning in January, until all positions are filled.

 

Summer Farming Teacher in Residence Job Description (2.5 months)

These are residential “live-on-the-ranch” positions – including an hourly wage, with tent housing and food provided

 

Apply yourself for 12 weeks of work that challenges you to grow as a person and as a professional educator.  You will gain valuable hands-on experience in agricultural and environmental education and learn how to live and work in a rural setting as a member of a community. 

 

From June-August, Slide Ranch hosts 10 weeks of day camp. Summer camp participants learn to care for farm animals and gardens, explore miles of wildland trails, discover ocean tide pools, cook farm-to-table, and participate in arts & crafts projects. Teachers-in-Residence lead groups of students in the 5-day experiential education camp programs. Our Teachers-in-Residence customize each program to meet the learning needs of campers 5 – 13 years of age, as well as working with junior camp counselors age 14+. Over the course of the summer, Teachers-in-Residence may also work with adults or youth in the context of volunteer or community group visits.

 

The internship provides two weeks of paid teacher training and farm operations prior to the start of camp. Occasional teacher observations complement the position and provide formal opportunities for professional feedback. After the camp day, Teachers participate in afternoon training sessions on outdoor education teaching and management, gardening, animal husbandry, and/or farm maintenance. 

 

Teachers are responsible for daily ranch chores, and nighttime goat-milking on a rotating basis.  In addition, teachers will have residential community responsibilities outside the work day, including a weekly resident chore, cooking dinner for fellow residents twice each month, and a monthly resident meeting.

 

New for 2018, Slide is additionally hiring a residential Summer Ranch and Camp Support Intern, who will support our mission by working alongside our Garden and Animal Care Managers to conduct the daily care for our plants and animals, as well as playing a key role in supporting our summer camp, and receiving rich training, but not leading weekly camp groups. This position also requires experience working with children, and includes direct care of campers in “after-care” settings. Please indicate your interest in this specific position in your application.

 

Prior experience in education or working with children.

Flexibility, being a team player, and having a positive attitude and sense of humor.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to accept supervision and guidance.

High level of personal responsibility in work and professionalism when dealing with the public.

Ability to take initiative and adopt solution-oriented approach to problems.

Love of children and nature. 

In your application, please note any prior experience with gardening, animal husbandry, environmental education, diverse populations including English language learners, art, music, performance, culinary and community living skills. This position requires patience and trust working with a team of teaching peers and organization staff.  The successful candidate will possess a great attitude and strong motivation to experience all facets of the work as important to one’s learning and development.  You will be required to obtain basic first aid/CPR training before arriving.

 

Work can be physically demanding and includes manual labor such as shoveling, lifting up to 50 lbs., use of power tools, and chores outside of an 8-hour day.

 

Tent housing, healthy food, hourly wage and an opportunity to live with a group of people in a beautiful, rural setting.  Applicants must be comfortable living in rustic tent accommodations for the duration of the summer.  

 

No phone calls please.  Mail, email, or fax resume, contact info for 3 references, and a personal statement by March 1st, 2018. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply. In the personal statement, indicate why this position is of interest to you. Describe any relevant experience in education (especially summer camp), previous experience living in a residential community, and any unique skills or diversity you would bring to this team.  We are also interested in any farm, garden or wilderness experience you may have had. Please indicate in your application where you saw this internship posting. We will begin reviewing applications after March 1st. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. 

 

Slide Ranch  Attn: Associate Program Director
2025 Shoreline Hwy, Muir Beach, CA 94965
Email: admin@slideranch.org
Fax: (415) 381-5762

 

*Please note that Slide Ranch values diversity in both our programs and our staff.  People of all colors, cultures, class, age, genders, and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply.

 

Dates of Session: May 29, 2018 – August 17, 2018