Teen Ag Education Coordinator
- Date Posted February 10, 2018
- Location Freeport, ME
- Category Agriculture / Education
- Job type Summer Job
Company description
Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment seeks to transform our relationship with farming and food for a healthier planet. On our 626 acres of diverse ecosystems, we farm, conduct agricultural research on soils and climate change, and invite visitors to engage with the food system and the role we all can play in building a more just and sustainable future. The farm is a beautiful and inspiring place for visitors of all ages to learn and play. We offer a diversity of ways to engage with agriculture and the food system, including numerous education programs, a community garden, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a farm store and Farm Café, an oceanfront campground, several seasonal community events and festivals, and our Organic Dairy Research and Farmer Training Program.
Job description
Farm CampWolfe’s Neck Center’s summer day camp program (Farm Camp) connects youth to agriculture and outdoor environments. We’ve got 626 acres with barns, pastures, gardens, and forests to explore. At Farm Camp, 4 year olds up to 16 year olds learn about sustainable agriculture and ecology while doing farm chores, digging in our gardens, and dissecting vegetables.
We offer 10 one-week sessions of Farm Camp Monday – Friday, June 18th – August 24th, and our Teen Ag program will be offered for eight weeks this year (Weeks 2-9). All Educators must be present for Farm Camp staff training June 11th – 15th and the Teen Ag Education Coordinator must be available for all Teen Ag sessions. Ideally, the Teen Ag Coordinator will begin part-time in the spring to develop relationships with farm staff and plan the program.
What is a Teen Ag Education Coordinator?
While offering engaging and informative programming, the Teen Ag Education Coordinator ensure the safety of program participants, staff, and livestock. Our Teen Ag Education Coordinator will work with our Agricultural and Farm Camp leadership to get to know our agricultural operations and develop (and implement) dynamic programming for our newly revamped Teen Ag program. The Teen Ag Education Coordinator also oversees and mentors two Farm-Based Education.
What We’re Looking for From You
Our ideal candidates have experience working with middle school and high school aged youth and are excited to connect them with farming and the food system. The Teen Ag Education Coordinator must work well with staff throughout the farm and effectively coordinate with them to create synergistic programming. Experience with (and knowledge of) agriculture and food systems, along with a desire to delve into these topics with youth is essential. Working around electric fences, farm equipment, and large livestock necessitates an attention to detail and safety as well as effectively communicating and upholding expectations. A good candidate for this position has the creativity and enthusiasm to envision possibilities and, then, turns good ideas into reality. We’re also looking for someone who has these kinds of qualifications:
- Degree, some higher education, and/or experience in environmental education or experiential education, as well as agriculture and food systems, or related fields.
- Experience creating and implementing activities and/or curricula.
- Enthusiasm for teaching young people, especially in regard to sustainable agriculture and food
- Professional and compassionate engagement with youth, farm staff, camper families, and the general public.
- Effective communication, including lesson content, behavioral expectations, plans for upcoming activities, professional feedback, and program planning.
- A team player who takes initiative.
- Ability to effectively manage groups and young adult interns, while cultivating a safe and supportive learning environment. This includes providing feedback Farm-Based Education Interns and supporting their professional development.
- Desire to be outside in a variety of weather and environments, interact with livestock, and work in gardens (and cultivate this enthusiasm with your group).
- Current CPR/First Aid or the ability to earn (offered as part of Staff Training), WFA or higher preferred.
Compensation
this position is: hourly, under $15/hrApplication instructions
Deadline
no deadline