Farm and Forest Lead Educator with Land’s Sake Farm

Seasonal, Full-Time, At-will employee
Dates of Employment: June 18th-August 24th
Flexible Schedule week of August 27
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.

Position Summary

Land’s Sake seeks a Lead Educator for our Farm and Forest summer program.  The person in this position must be able to work from 8:00-4:00 Monday through Friday from June 25, 2018 to August 17, 2018, from 8:30-4:30 from August 20-24, 2018 and to attend staff training days during the week of June 19th. There will be the option for part-time hours the week of August 27. Working closely with the Education Manager, the Farm and Forest Lead 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 Lead 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 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 Lead 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 Lead Educator works diligently to carry out mission oriented goals and objectives.

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 Assistant Educator
● 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

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 18th, flexible hours with mandatory full-day training on June 18th and 19th
● Programming: 8:00am-4:00pm, June 26th-August 17th, 8:30am-4:30pm August 20th-August 24th,  July 4th off 
● Cleanup & Debrief: Flexible hours the week of August 27

Salary & Benefits:
● Salary: $15/hour
● Professional development opportunities including trainings in areas of job
related interests
● Organic produce and flowers grown on the farm

Equal Opportunity Policy:
Land’s Sake is seeking to hire a staff that represents the racial and ethnic diversity
of its constituents. 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: March 31st, 2018