Farm-Based Education: Green Power Leader

Position Title: Farm Based Education: Green Power Leader   
Seasonal, Full-Time, At-will employee
           
Supervisor/Reports to: Programs Coordinator
Direct Reports: Junior Apprentice

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.

Green Power

The Green Power programs serves youth ages 13 - 17 and offers 8 independent weeks of full day sessions through the summer.  This program is focused on learning about sustainable agriculture, food justice, and community through meaningful work.  This work includes: planting, weeding and harvesting on our organic farm, leading farm tours, maintaining our education garden, providing community service, and cooking a community meal.  In addition to being a great learning opportunity, Green Power teaches the value of meaningful work by paying participants a share of the profit generated at the farm stand and by gaining community service hours.

Position Summary:
The Green Power Leader’s primary goal is to deliver high quality summer programs.  With support from the Education Director and the Program Coordinator the Green Power Leader is responsible for implementing the unique Green Power program.  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 Green Power Leader 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 Green Power Leader works diligently to carry out mission oriented goals and objectives.

Responsibilities:
Green Power:

• Coordinate program related logistics, specifically with adjunct educators, community partners/organizations and Land’s Sake staff
• Implement mission-based curriculum
• Lead the Green Power Program with assistance from a High School aged Junior Apprentice
• Communicate with parents as needed
• Write weekly newsletter update
• Gather weekly feedback from participants and parents
• Maintain budgets and track weekly expenses
• Assist with planning and program development for successive seasons

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist with management of the Education Garden
• Assist with the management of a variety of livestock
• Assist with overall development of the Education Branch and Land’s Sake programs
• Assist with other non-education related tasks as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or greater in environmental science, education or relevant field

• 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 leadership role at a camp, after school program, or other youth program
• At least one full season’s experience of farm work and experience in garden planning/management
• Experience with management of a variety of livestock
• The ability to multi-task and work independently
• Respectful, clear and patient interpersonal communication skill set that allows for collaborative work across departments
• Professional character that is consistent, capable, self-directed, well organized, flexible, personable, and is able to maintain composure in a changing environment
• Comfortable with public speaking and networking
• Access to a car and valid driver’s license
• Must be able to pass CORI check
• First Aid and CPR training or current certification
• Basic computer and office skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc

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:  
Ideally this position will start  June 4th, 2012 and will work full-time through August 29th, 2012.

Salary & Benefits:

• Stipend of  $400.00 a week
• Professional development opportunities including trainings in areas of job related interests  

• Organic produce and flowers grown on the farm
• The opportunity to work, learn, inspire, and be inspired along side dedicated staff on a beautiful organic farm for a unique nonprofit in a unique community!

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, ethnicity's, 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 Doug@landssake.org, Deadline: April 15th, 2012