Summer Farm Educators Wanted in MA

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Fill In Summer Farm Educators with Land’s Sake Farm – 2018

Seasonal, fill-in Employee – 40 hours/week for select weeks

Dates of Employment: Flexible, looking for week-long commitments in June, July, and August 2018

Staff training with part-time hours the week of June 18
Supervisor/Reports to: Education Manager

Organizational Overview:
Founded in 1980, Land’s Sake is a private, nonprofit corporation dedicated to responsible stewardship of suburban farmland and forests. By combining ecologically sound land management with experiential farm-based education, we provide a powerful model of how public open space can be effectively used and enjoyed by the community. We operate three interdependent branches: (1) sustainable land management and open space preservation, (2) farm-based education, and (3) a community farm. The education department serves our community through group/school programs, after school programs, adult education workshops and summer programs. Land’s Sake is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating a multicultural organization. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates for all positions. To learn more about this unique nonprofit please visit: www.landssake.org.

Farm and Forest

Farm and Forest is a farm and outdoor education program dedicated to building meaningful community and connections to the land for children in grades 1-4 in nine independent full-week sessions throughout the summer. The program runs from 8:30-3:30 and includes time for snack and lunch for the first eight weeks, and will run from 9:00-4:00 for the week of August 21. Daily activities include garden projects, arts and crafts, animal chores, tree climbing, games, harvesting produce to bring home, and exploring our natural landscape. This year, for the first time, Land’s Sake is piloting a second group of Farm & Forest, running parallel to the original sessions for select weeks . 

Summer Farm Educators Position Summary

Land’s Sake seeks a Lead Educator for our Farm and Forest summer program. The Summer Farm Educators must be able to work for at least one week-long period in June, July, and/or August of 2018 and to attend staff training days during the week of June 18th. There will be the option for part-time hours the week of August 27. Working closely with the Education Manager, the Farm and Forest Educator will be responsible for planning and delivering high quality educational programming for up to 12 elementary school youth for week-long, full day summer programs. The Farm and Forest Educator will be provided with a consistent daily schedule and programming ideas, and will have opportunity to bring their passions and interest to the programming, choose activities and games, and design curriculum.

Successful candidates for Summer Farm Educators positions will be highly motivated, organized, great with teaching a range of ages, experienced in behavior management, and a team player. Previous farm or garden experience is a must as well as comfort working around a variety of animals including chickens, rabbits, sheep, and goats. Other helpful skills include experience cooking ability, carpentry skills, artistic ability, etc. This position will include the additional responsibilities of: assisting with Education Garden preparation and maintenance, assisting with livestock care, general branch and organizational development and other non-education related tasks. The Farm and Forest Educator works collaboratively with other staff to effectively manage the inherent risks of working on a farm, maintain our unique farm aesthetic, teach and follow best management practices for sustainable food production. Collaboration and effective communication between the other branches of the organization are vital for this job; along with all staff, the Farm and Forest Educator works diligently to carry out mission oriented goals and objectives.

Summer Farm Educators Responsibilities:

Farm and Forest

• Maintain responsibility for day to day function of Farm and Forest
  ● Coordinate program related logistics, specifically with adjunct educators, community partners/organizations and Land’s Sake staff
  ● Develop and implement mission-based curriculum
  ● Maintain responsibility for the physical and emotional safety and wellness of Farm and Forest
• Manage behavior of Farm and Forest youth
• Supervise and direct Farm and Forest Junior Leaders
  ● Communicate with parents as needed
  ● Write articles for the newsletter, blog posts, or social media updates as needed
  ● Gather weekly feedback from participants and families

Other Responsibilities
● Assist with management of the Education Garden
● Assist with the management of a variety of livestock
● Assist with other non-education related tasks as needed

Summer Farm Educators Qualifications:
● College degree in education, horticulture, farming, environmental science, environmental education, etc required or related field required.

• Teaching and/or youth leadership experience in a school or non-traditional setting with proven ability around youth safety, group management and discipline
  ● Experience in a leadership role at a camp, school, after school program, or other youth program
  ● The ability to multi-task and work independently
  ● Respectful, clear and patient interpersonal communication skill set that allows for collaborative work across departments
• Strong written communication skills
  ● Professional character that is consistent, capable, self-directed, well organized, flexible, personable, and is able to maintain composure in a changing environment
  ● Access to a car and valid driver’s license
  ● Must be able to pass CORI check
  ● Current First Aid and CPR certification
  ● Basic computer and office skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc
• Knowledge of second language a plus

Essential Functions:
● Must be able to maintain visual and auditory awareness of a group
● Must be able to negotiate various types of terrain on the farm and in the
forest
● Must be able to communicate (both written and verbal) clearly and effectively
with staff, participants, and other constituents
● Must be able to lift and carry up to fifty pounds

Employment dates:
● Training/Program Planning: Week of June 18^th, flexible hours with mandatory full-day training on June 18^th and 19th
● Programming: must be available for week-long commitments from 8:00-4:00, Monday-Friday in the months of June and/or July and/or August 2018
● Cleanup & Debrief: Flexible hours the week of August 27

Summer Farm Educators Salary & Benefits:
● Salary: Dependent on Experience
● Professional development opportunities including trainings in areas of job
related interests
● Organic produce and flowers grown on the farm

• If you work six or more hours in a day, you are entitled to a paid 10 minute break for each four hours worked, and a paid meal period of 30 minutes. You may elect to take both breaks together for a longer lunch break.
• Paid sick time, in accordance with Massachusetts law.

Equal Opportunity Policy:
Diversity and inclusion is an ongoing organizational practice and a core value of Land’s Sake with the goal of having culturally competent services, materials, resources and programs. Our hiring practices are informed by an appreciation of the strengths offered by differing cultures, races, religions, ethnicities, classes, sexual orientation, physical capacities, and age groups. Land’s Sake offers benefits including medical insurance, generous vacation, access to professional development and local organic food. Land’s Sake is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating a multicultural organization. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates for all positions.

To Apply:
Please email a resume and cover letter, detailing how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity to education@landssake.org, Deadline: June 1^st, 2018.

 

To learn more about farming jobs and internships or to post an opportunity on beginningfarmers.org, go to: https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/