Position Title: Seasonal Farm Based Educator at the Children’s Farmyard
Supervisor: Children's Farmyard Manager
Employee Status: Seasonal, Full Time / Part-Time
Location: Education/Public Programs
Start Date: April 25, 2023 - October 26, 2023
Hourly: $15
Work Schedule: 5 days a week (including weekends, weekdays, holidays)
Who We Are
Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate a sustainable future. We offer transformative learning experiences to help educators and students create a better world. Our home campus is a 1,400-acre working farm located on the traditional, unceded homelands—Ndakinna—of the Winooskik band of the Abenaki.
Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Shelburne Farms recognizes that justice, equity, and access are central to sustainability. We are committed to translating these values into action across the organization by improving equitable outcomes in our culture, programs, and services. Shelburne Farms is working to create experiences of belonging for all, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and people of all economic realities. We are passionate about building and sustaining a diverse and welcoming working and learning environment for all program participants, guests, and staff.
Who We’re Looking for
We are currently seeking a Seasonal Farmyard Educator to work in The Children’s Farmyard (CFY). The CFY is an outdoor educational space that is open to the public and school groups seven days a week, May through October. The goal of the CFY is to educate and connect visitors to agriculture in a safe, engaging, and hands-on environment.
What You’ll Do
Work as a farm-based educator using the Shelburne Farms Children’s Farmyard as a framework to educate for sustainability.
Greet and orient diverse audiences to the farmyard including day visitors from around the world, overnight inn guests, school groups, and summer campers.
Lead engaging and interactive presentations and activities for large groups.
Clean animal yards, barns, and pens as well as visitor spaces around the Farmyard.
Assist visitors with safe and educational animal interactions.
Assist with garden tasks while engaging visitors in your work.
Support ongoing maintenance projects.
Set up education spaces and plan and implement activities.
Work with and mentor youth volunteers (ages 9-17) through positive role-modeling, observation and feedback of their facilitation and instructional skills.
Support a continuous effort to foster a culturally aware learning community, open to multiple perspectives.
Communicate effectively with the team to create a respectful and open work environment.
Attend weekly meetings and explore the farm campus to gain knowledge to enhance visitor experience.
Provide information about the Shelburne Farms campus, history, products, and services.
Staff our cheesemaking and information hub, educating guests about our cheesemaking process and serving as a source of information for our day visitors.
Lead Sun To Cheese tours which are a behind the scenes look at our dairy and cheesemaking process.
Core Qualifications
Experience in education or public interpretation.
Basic knowledge/understanding of food and farm systems.
Commitment to the values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
Flexible and positive attitude with a willingness to learn from others.
Dedicated to excellent guest services.
Positive attitude and a willingness to be a contributing member of a team, while remaining flexible to changing schedules or program needs.
Willingness to receive feedback, grow personally and professionally, and develop new skills.
Solution-oriented mindset when faced with challenges.
Valid First Aid and CPR Certification (training provided).
A completed background check is a condition of employment.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
Outdoor work environment with varied weather conditions.
Able to move over uneven terrain.
Able to work with and around large farm animals.
Able to lift 50 lbs.
Exposure to farm animals, hay, bedding, dust, and animal manure.