Job description

Continuing Education at The University of Vermont is seeking to fill a part-time wages position, Assistant Farm Educator, for the Farmer Training Program, a six-month training program for aspiring farmers and food systems advocates. The Assistant Farm Educator will receive daily supervision and guidance from the Farm Coordinator with administrative oversight from designated manager.  The Assistant Farm Educator will help ensure that the education goals of the program are being met, including leading farm walks, assisting with field instruction, and carrying out on-farm demonstrations, while simultaneously meeting production demands of the farm.

The Assistant Farm Educator job duties will include:

Farming

• Assist in all aspects of field production on the 3 acre farm site and ¾ acre garden site, including propagation, planting, tractor work, weeding, harvesting, and fertility management 

• Assist in management of pest, disease, and weed pressure on the sites, with a focus on educating the students

• Co-teach lessons on essential farming skills and concepts with Farm Coordinator

• Lead Farmer Training students in field work, providing instruction and guidance throughout 

• Understand and teach harvesting techniques for the weekly farmers market  

Teaching & Program Coordination

• Assist in the development and teaching of hands-on lessons at the growing sites

• Research, coordinate and attend field trips to area farms 

• Help students to make connections between the lessons learned on rotations, the growing site, field trips, and classes

• Assist in  grass roots marketing plan by attending conferences and representing the program to the public   

Successful Candidate will have:

• Valid Driver’s License

• Ability to lift 50 pounds regularly and perform physically demanding work 

• At least two seasons of experience working on a diverse vegetable farm

• Bachelor’s degree in related field

• Ability to multi-task  and creatively problem solve

• Ability to meet the demands of a commercial vegetable operation, while simultaneously engaging and instructing the students through every aspect of the production system 

• Possess a familiarity with tractors, irrigation systems, pest and weed management, as well as have broad knowledge of organic production methods.

• Effective interpersonal, communication and project planning skills.

• Strong sense of punctuality and dependability. 

• Ability to delegate tasks and effectively instruct adult learners.  Previous supervisory experience is highly desirable.  

This is a part-time seasonal position, requiring 35 hours per week from April 15 to November 1, 2013.

As a temporary seasonal position, UVM employee benefits are not available for this position.  

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

February 22, 2013