Farm Educator

About us:
The HEAL Project is an award-winning organization providing hands-on programming that instills healthy lifestyle habits in elementary school children while inspiring environmental and agricultural awareness through a comprehensive, interactive curriculum. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are seeking to create a diverse work culture that represents the diversity of the community we serve.

Job summary:
This part-time position will help grow our team of farm educators leading field trips and camps at the San Mateo County School Farm in El Granada. Farm Educators play a key role in interacting with the community of students, teachers, and supporters who visit the farm. This position works with teachers to guide science-based, interactive field trips that include harvesting, planting, hiking, and nutrition lessons. The field trip lessons reinforce NGSS and Common Core educational standards. This role has room for growth as our programs grow.

70% Farm education & interpretation:
● Lead K-12th grade students on field trips at the farm
● Lead K-12th grade students in cooking or food prep demonstrations
● Plan and lead summer and seasonal day camps
● Lead volunteer and tour groups of adults or teens
● Collect survey data and liability forms from visiting groups
● Fill out monthly staff report and bimonthly timesheet online

20% Special Events: weekdays, weekends or evenings:
● Assist in supporting volunteering and fundraising events on or off the farm
● Assist with service learning field trips at farm
● Staff the Farmers’ Market booth at least once monthly April November

10% Farm Maintenance
● Assist in keeping educational areas clean and orderly
● Assist in occasional farm tasks such as: weeding, watering, planting, pest management

Basic Eligibility:
● Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
● Have a high school diploma/GED
● Test negative for Tuberculosis
● Pass fingerprinting & DOJ background check to work with children

No experience is required but preferred experience and qualities include:
● Enthusiasm for leading groups of children, youth and adults
● An understanding of agriculture and the ability to communicate these concepts in a fun and engaging way to diverse audiences
● Strong group management skills
● Comfort and confidence working independently and with a small team
● Creativity, flexibility, and willingness to learn and share ideas
● Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
● Familiarity with Google Drive

Additionally the Farm Educator:
● Will comply with organizational tenets as outlined in THP Employee Handbook
● Will utilize computer to maintain tracking and routine communication
● Will meet physical requirements: can walk up to two miles and able to lift and carry 40 lbs for 20 feet
● Will attend and participate in staff meetings and trainings
● Will complete First Aid Training within six months of hire.

Travel Requirements:
Must be able to travel independently to and from THP’s Half Moon Bay office and the San Mateo County School Farm in El Granada.

Typical Mental & Physical Demands:
Requires prolonged physical activity with bending, crouching, lifting and stretching; eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate garden tools, and office equipment such as a keyboard, photocopies, etc. Requires range of hearing and eyesight which permits one to communicate with students and adults in an outdoor environment, as well as maintain data records. Ability to lift 40lbs. Flexibility to adapt to a changing environment is needed as well.

Start date: March 6th, 2023 or as mutually agreed

Position type: Part-time, average 10-12 hours per week with possible changes in hours as field trips increase or decrease seasonally and special events are scheduled.

Reports to: Programs Manager