Director of Education & Community Outreach Programs

~ Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) promotes local agriculture and food access through our farming operations and education programs, using practices that are socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable. We encourage healthy relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows. ~

Waltham Fields Community Farm (incorporated as Community Farms Outreach, Inc.) is a nonprofit agricultural organization focusing on food access and education. We grow vegetables according to organic principles on 15 acres of leased land, with a minimum of 20% of our harvest dedicated to low-income households. WFCF operates a 470-share community supported agriculture (CSA) program, a Learning Garden and educational programs for children and youth. We train farmers, and welcome volunteers, who provide over 2,000 hours of assistance each year.

We have 7 year-round staff members and a large seasonal staff. Since our founding in 1995, we have grown from a small volunteer-run effort into a recognized organization serving a variety of critical community needs, including mentorship and resource-sharing for new farms and farmers in the region. In 2019 we will celebrate our 25th Anniversary of Farming and Food Access programs!

WFCF expects applicants to have a strongly developed work ethic, a sense of personal accountability and thoughtfulness, and, a sense of humor about themselves.  An ability to keep a positive attitude during the ebbs and flows and various demands on time and energy is an important foundation to bring to this position. If you are naturally motivated to push yourself and motivated by others who are doing the same, then you will love Waltham Fields! Our educational program is entering its 21st year and we are excited for the upcoming season of learning, growth and the opportunity to nourish our community and cultivate new relationships.

Position Overview

The Director of Education and Community Outreach Programs is responsible for coordination and leadership of all Education Programs and Community Outreach Programs at WFCF. Time devoted to each program area is distributed based on needs of the organization, development of programs, and seasons.

The primary goal for this position is to provide high-quality, accessibly-priced, educational experiences that engage participants in local food production and consumption and promote environmental responsibility. The Education & Community Outreach Director will manage, develop and market the overall Education Program, which includes, our Learning Garden and other educational programs for children, educational and skills-based workshops for adults, educational farm field trips, and special events to promote our mission and community connections, including, community events, speaker panels and workshops, participation in agricultural-related public forums, educational opportunities at libraries or other public spaces.

Responsibilities

Major Areas of Responsibility:

Manage, develop and market the overall Education Program, which includes:

• Learning Garden and other educational programs for children
• Educational and skills-based workshops for adults
• Special farm visits for visitors, volunteers and targeted groups and schools
• Special events to promote our mission and community connections
• Manage, develop and market the overall Community Outreach Program, which includes:
• Community events, speaker panels and workshops
• Participation in agricultural-related public forums
• Educational opportunities at libraries or other public spaces

Primary Objectives:

• To Maintain a focus on educational programs that bring people to the farm and directly engage them with organic food production and land stewardship
• Maintain and build the infrastructure of our Learning Garden space to facilitate group gardening activities; farm-to-table food preparation and programming in inclement weather conditions
• Maintain a strong scholarship program to enable participation from low-income individuals and families
• Offer volunteer opportunities and community service for all ages that result in engaging and rewarding service learning experiences
• Manage costs, education staff, and volunteer time to maintain financial viability of education programs both through direct revenue and targeted fundraising
• Maintain metrics and generate reports on all education programs
• Participate in public forums and events addressing farm-community connections when mission-fit and impact are high and staff resources are available

Specific and Additional Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop all curriculum for education program and for all ages
• Participate in strategic planning, staff meetings, retreats and some board meetings
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization, promoting our mission, programming, and relationship building in Waltham and neighboring communities  
• Attend and provide assistance with fundraising and engagement events as needed
• Be the lead certain annual engagement events
• Help maintain internal and external calendars
• Collaborate with staff to implement all activities within the Education Program
• Recruit, interview, hire and train education staff, volunteers, and interns
• Increase and diversify partnerships that facilitate program development and scope
• Generate metrics, participate in evaluation and reporting of the Education Program
• Strengthen education-related policies and procedures, and monitor safety adherence
• Help promote good moral and well-being among the staff, volunteers and interns
• Manage Education Program’s online social networking on a weekly basis
• Maintain the Education Program areas of the website, ensuring they are up-to-date
• Generate online registrations and surveys using NEON database and other applications
• Oversee the care and health of animals and gardens involved in education programs  (for example bees, chickens, hives and pollinator garden)
• Collaborate with area organizations such as Waltham Recreation Dept., Waltham Boys & Girls Club, Waltham Public Library, Bentley University, Cambridge Adventure Day Camp (CADC) Community, and Waltham 4-H Club
• Coordinate and lead our Youth Crew Jobs Initiative, an early job experience program
• Manage Farm Visit programs for schools and community groups, both on- and off-site
• Coordinate several adult and family skills-based workshops
• Lead volunteer groups along with other staff, coordinating as needed
• Hire, manage and collaborate with the Learning Garden & Container Garden Workshare positions
• Coordinate the creation of an annual program and events calendar
• Coordinate and create promotional materials for the farm, education programs and outreach market, for both print and electronic versions
• Manage the Education Budget for both income and expenditures
• Collaborate with writing foundations proposals and other funding opportunities

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with supervising and training staff and ability to assess skill levels appropriate to lead activities is required
• Ability to observe child behavior, assess appropriateness, and enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures
• Skilled at creating in-house communication and marketing collateral at times
• A self-starter, able to work independently, adjust to shifting priorities
• Excel at working with young adults to motivate and inspire with professionalism
• Computer literate with a proficiency in MS Office programs and database applications such as NEON or other CRM database experience, working knowledge of Google Drive
• Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, or 2-4 seasons experience in program management and supervision is required
• Able to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Willingness to work weekends and evenings depending on programming and organizational needs

Terms of Employment: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work to be performed by job holders within this position. This job description is not an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. 

Compensation

• This is a full time, salaried position, with specific hours per week varying according to farm and organizational needs.
• Generally, the position will average 40 hours per week over the course of the year. 
• Competitive salary based on experience. WFCF provides a benefit package that includes generous paid vacation, sick days, floating holidays, and personal days, various medical, dental, and retirement benefits, cell phone and professional development stipends, and a (20) week Summer CSA share, a (10) week Flower CSA share and a Late Fall Extended Season CSA share. 

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your resume and letter of interest describing your candidacy to Stacey Daley, Executive Director.
• Please reference the title of the position in the subject line.
• Reference may be requested subsequently.
• Interviews will begin in February, with a start date of no later than June 1, 2019.

~ Waltham Fields Community Farm is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, pregnancy or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, marital status, disability, age, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, receipt of free medical care, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. Waltham Fields Community Farm will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.  This commitment is evident in all aspects of WFCF's employment practices and policies. ~