Organization: Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation

About the position:

The Director of Education provides support and guidance to Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation in the fulfillment of its mission to educate about agriculture, nutrition, sustainability, and the environment. This position serves as a representative of the education department both within the organization and externally in the community. It oversees the success of the education department and its initiatives through supervision, training, and mentorship of staff and volunteers. The Director of Education ensures the development of high-quality curricula, implements best practices, leads departmental strategic planning, coordinates education-specific site resources, and builds relationships with key partners.

Benefits:

• Accrual of 80 hours paid vacation per year, 40 hours sick time, 16 hours personal time

• Ten paid holidays annually, plus the week between Christmas and New Years with minimal work requirements (check email and phone messages remotely)

• 60% of Medical Insurance premium paid by organization for staff (60% for spouse/family if not eligible elsewhere)

• Paid parental leave (after one year of employment)

• Life Insurance, Short/Long-Term Disability Insurance provided

• Opportunity to work some hours from home during certain seasons

• A dynamic, creative, team-oriented work environment

• An important nonprofit mission that “Builds Healthy Futures”

• You get to work on a Farm!

Job Responsibilities:  

• Supervise and support education staff. Hire, train, evaluate and provide opportunities for continuing education and professional development.

• Direct key tenets of education programming to ensure quality and success including: curriculum development, program implementation, policies and procedures, safety, staff scheduling, educator training, evaluation and outcomes reporting.

• Implement Farm-to-Classroom and Scout programs, Preschool Story Hour, and Private Tours.

• Create and realize departmental budgets. Support education staff in budget development and implementation.

• Spearhead strategic and sustainable growth of education programming.

• Maintain continued compliance with American Camp Association accreditation standards, working with GHFF Camp Manager and GHFF Operations Manager.

• Build relationships with key community partners including environmental, agricultural, culinary, and educational organizations and businesses. 

• In collaboration with GHFF Public Engagement Manager, plan educational marketing initiatives including: website, social media, interpretive signage, outreach events, ads, brochures and other forms of communication. 

• Plan and organize staff/volunteer support for the planting and maintenance of 9 education garden beds, education hoop house, raised tasting/demonstration beds, and education compost. 

• Plan and organize staff/volunteer support for the daily care of education chickens and rabbits. Oversee habitat, health, enrichment, and socialization of these animals.

• Provide staff support for the organization’s annual fundraising and volunteer appreciation events. Plan, schedule, and implement educational elements for events as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years experience or equivalent professional experience, including prior program management. 

• Prior experience working with youth. Experience creating curriculum and teaching youth and adults. 

• Diligent, organized, accurate, and detailed-oriented with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks on a daily basis.

• Commitment to collaborative decision-making and cooperative work. 

• Effective written and verbal communication skills. Prior experience with website maintenance, social media and e-news platforms preferred.  

• Professional attitude, sense of humor, and the ability to interact well with a wide variety of people

• A passion for the mission of Gorman Heritage Farm and ability to serve as an ambassador of the organization

• Background check required.

• Must have a valid drivers license. 

• Prior gardening, farming or agricultural experience a plus. 

Physical demands: This position requires the following physical activities: walking, climbing, bending, lifting, standing, sitting, reaching, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity. The work is performed indoors and outdoors. 

Equipment operated: Personal computer with knowledge of G Suite, copier, and other office equipment found in the teaching environment. Utility vehicles (“gators”) for transporting materials around the farm.  

Other requirements: Positive attitude, team player, flexibility, comfortable on a farm and being outdoors, willingness to work in a small staff setting/non­profit environment, willingness and availability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and enthusiasm for learning. 

Salary: $45,000 - $50,000, commensurate with experience

Reports to: Executive Director 

To apply: Send resume and cover letter to Nicole Gunderman, Executive Director, ngunderman@gormanfarm.org

Find more information here.