Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job – VA

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Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job at Tricycle Urban Agriculture in Richmond, VA – 2019

REPORTS TO: President & CEO

HOURS: Full-time

SALARY: Commensurate with experience

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: Tricycle Urban Ag Culture is Richmond’s leading urban agriculture nonprofit organization, and we are on a mission to grow a healthy future through urban agriculture. Since breaking ground on our first garden, we have engaged thousands of neighbors and shown that the simple act of growing food is an incredibly powerful way to impact the overall health of the environment and our community. This work addresses a myriad of challenging issues, and ultimately our mission is about FOOD:

F: FOCUS ON COMMUNITY NEEDS

O: OUTREACH & EDUCATION

O: OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS

D: DESIGN OF BEAUTIFUL SPACES

Tricycle has sprouted and grown across our region and our programs include:

• Urban Ag Fellowship & Certification – recognized by USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS)
• Corner Farm: Richmond’s Healthy Corner Store Program
• VCU Massey Cancer Center Farm Stand
• Way to Grow! Educational Tours & Volunteer Programs
• Supporting Policies that Support Beginning Farmers, Healthy Food Access, and Urban Ag.

Urban Ag Sites: RVA’s Urban Farm, Nine Mile Food Garden, 31st Street Baptist Church Urban Farm, Church Hill Urban Orchard, Charlotte Acres Incubator Farm, Sixth Mount Zion Summer Farm, Partner Sites, and Community Gardens

Tricycle is committed to acting as a catalyst for the growth of a thriving local food ecosystem, contributing to the health, sustainability and abundance of the communities we serve.

Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job Summary:

Tricycle Urban Ag Culture seeks a highly-qualified and self-motivated candidate to join its dynamic and growing team and fill the Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job. This new position is a critically important role in developing successful urban agriculturists who increase local food production to feed our communities. The person in this position will utilize the urban ag curriculum, subject matter instructor partnerships, and on-farm skill requirements developed by Tricycle to direct our Certification in Urban Agriculture and Fellowship Program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director will manage our developed and refined programs and processes in order to direct the program as an inspirational leader on the farm and in the classroom. Through utilization of our farm sites and your small-scale sustainable ag and education expertise, you will:

On the farm:

• Work with urban ag staff and fellows to maintain high levels of production, function and aesthetics at all Tricycle Urban Ag Sites, and provide an inspirational model of urban ag, year round;
• Instruct fellows in on-farm tasks, provide hands-on guidance, and follow up with instructional feedback;
• Manage fellow time with labor and learning needs at Tricycle’s Urban Ag Sites;
• Conduct seasonal Skills Assessments for each fellow;
• Provide continuity between classroom learning and on-site learning to ensure fellows’ understanding of the relationship between the curriculum and hands-on application of this knowledge;
• Provide group dynamics guidance and support to the cohort, including conflict resolution strategies and solution-oriented collaboration;
• Maintain, communicate, and enforce farm rules and procedures;
• Maintain a high standard of safety, including conducting seasonal safety reviews;
• Conduct weekly educational farm walks to showcase and educate in on-farm happenings;
• Create, communicate, manage and complete daily farm schedule;
• Guide classroom content and curriculum with Urban Farming expertise;
• Serve as an occasional classroom instructor;
• Prepare farm sites for fellowship program.

In the Classroom:

• Serve as Instructor of Record for Tricycle Certificate in Urban Agriculture (CUA);
• Establish calendar of classes for the year;
• Reserve classroom space for the year;
• Coordinate with outside instructors to teach classes not taught by Tricycle staff, including management of the following: Provide developed curriculum objectives and course materials; Manage program budget; Negotiate details (fee, time, location, pre-reading assignments, handouts and class activity materials) and complete instructor agreement for signature; Update curriculum materials as advised prior to and after class (when needed); Purchase class materials and prepare class activities; Support instructor during class with content continuity, logistics support, and track content for curriculum updates; Provide connection to other classes and current on-farm activities during class discussion; Submit instructor fee invoices for payment.
• Manage academic requirements for Tricycle Certificate in Urban Agriculture (CUA) in accordance with best practices for college-level certificate programs. You will: Review past programs and update CUA syllabus as needed; Manage attendance and implement attendance policies, including oversight of ‘Outside Educational Opportunities’ fellow reports; Manage fellows’ homework assignments (update, assign, grade and provide feedback); Conduct seasonal quizzes (update content, grade and provide feedback); Provide Business Plan support through LivePlan; Provide Individual Urban Ag Project oversight; Conduct final exam (update content, grade and provide feedback); Plan and conduct seasonal Fellow supervision days.
• Individually meet with fellows to: Conduct farm skills assessments; Review individual learning plan updates; Review progress in fellowship; Provide feedback/evaluation; Connect fellows to community support as needed.
• Plan and present other relevant seasonal topics and activities
• Maintain an online academic platform (currently Google Classroom) for Fellowship cohort class – which includes: Post-class materials, handouts, resources, and instructor contact info; Program documents (syllabus, policies, procedures); Opportunities to communicate with students; Other resources as relevant.
• Purchase textbooks and supplies for use by fellows
• Track loaned items.
• Coordinate Program Rotations.
• Create Fellow Schedule and coordinate with Tricycle staff to schedule four, 3-week rotations in the following areas: Food Access Rotation (including discussion content and tasting opportunities); Greenhouse Management; Urban Ag Project Rotation; MCV Farm Stand.
• Review Certificate curriculum annually for content updates, additions and deletions.

Program Management:

• Support Urban Ag Fellowship Recruitment efforts;
• Manage Urban Ag Fellowship Selection Process: Review all fellowship applications, conduct interviews, and select fellows.
• Conduct orientation and training for new cohorts;
• Manage Opening Day & Graduation for urban ag cohorts;
• Manage program budget;
• Prepare reports for funders, Board of Directors, and other external partners, in partnership with Director of Development;
• Prepare monthly newsletter articles;
• Participate in and support Tricycle and community events.

DESIRED SKILLS:

The ideal candidate for the Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job will have the following:

• Competencies in sustainable, organic or biological agricultural practices, with 3-5 years farm management experience.
• Experience managing adult learners.
• Experience or willingness to work within a diverse community and with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience managing and delivering educational programing. 
• Interest and familiarity with issues related to local food, food access, sustainable agriculture, and the urban environment.
• Strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience leading, planning, and managing in a dynamic setting.
• Excellent talent management, communications, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong strategic vision and agility, including leadership, management, and communication skills.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships with a variety of internal and external individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with diverse staff and groups of external partners.
• Enthusiasm, passion, patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Strong emotional intelligence, self-motivation, and strong analytical skills.
• Advanced Degree in a related field preferred, such as Horticulture,
• Experience collaborating with low-income communities preferred.
• Joy for good, hard work.

Personal Values & Management Style:

• Strong interpersonal skills with great integrity and sound judgement.
• Orientation to communicate well and work collaboratively across the organization openly and with respect.
• Ability to multitask and thrive managing concurrent and diverse programs.
• Proactive, continually looking for ways to avert problems and improve systems.
• Agreement and alignment with Tricycle’s mission.
• Solution-oriented inspirational leader.

SUPERVISORY STRUCTURE:

The Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director reports to the President & CEO. The Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director works as part of an organizational team with the President and Urban Ag Team, and provides direction and supervision for the Urban Ag Fellowship program.

TO APPLY for the Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job:

Tricycle Urban Ag Culture is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and an open and affirming community. We encourage applications from non-traditional applicants and those who are underrepresented in the field.

To be considered for the Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job, please email resume and cover letter detailing how your experience meets the needs of this role to jobs@tricyclegardens.org, using subject line: Urban Ag Fellowship Director.

The Urban Ag Fellowship and Certification Director Job will remain open until filled. No phone calls, please.

Thank you for your interest!

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org by going to https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/