Retreat Farm is a beautiful place. Nestled in the hills overlooking the mouth of the West River, it’s massive historic barns stand as a monument to an era when work was done by hand, when farmers with teams of horses and oxen worked the fields and logged the forests. But Retreat Farm is much more than its buildings. It is skating on the ice of the Retreat Meadows. It is long lines of happy people waiting for ice cream on Thursday nights in the summer. It is families donating their Christmas trees to feed the goats. It is children experiencing the magic of holding a baby chick for the first time, or attending their first ever week of summer camp. It is field trips where students investigate seed dispersal methods and then feed pumpkins to our pigs.  In everything we do, we strive to create nourishing, authentic opportunities to learn, play, and grow for children of all ages.

Help us connect children and families to the land and each other! We are looking for an enthusiastic farm educator to engage visitors at our Children’s Farm and Forest. The educator will facilitate a variety of farm, garden, and forest activities to connect visitors to agriculture and the land in a safe, fun, hands-on environment.  
 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach and lead educational field trips for elementary and middle school groups, preschools and early childhood centers, nursing homes, and a variety of social service organizations.
• Lead a variety of workshops and activities for a range of audiences.
• Assist in designing, implementing, and maintaining the educational garden.
• Train summer staff in garden tasks and engage groups and the general public with the garden through the seasons.
• Plan and facilitate a weekly nature-based children’s program in fall 2019.
• Provide a welcoming, engaging presence throughout the Children’s Farm and Forest.

• Uphold excellent guest services at all times.
• Welcome and orient visitors to the farm and operate the Point-of-Sale.
• Participate in daily animal care and chores and clean animal pens.
• Clean program areas and set up education, play, and retail spaces daily.
• Support and mentor junior staff and volunteers.
• Provide support for birthday parties and special events.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor work environment with varied weather conditions.
• This position begins April 15, 2019 and ends October 31, 2019.  Some off-season work may be available to the right candidate.
• Weekend work required.

• Flexible, energetic, good communication skills, and the willingness to learn.
• Some educational, interpretive, or summer-camp experience required.
• Some knowledge of animals and animal care preferred.
• Valid First Aid and CPR Certification (training provided).
• Able to lift 50 lbs and move over uneven terrain.
• Comfort working around large animals.
• This is a 32 - 40 hour a week seasonal position.