Organization: Gorman Heritage Farm

About the position:

Job Title: Day Camp Manager/Farm-based Educator

Category: Full time- Exempt

Pay Range: $35,000 – $40,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Reports to: Director of Education

To apply: Send cover letter and resume in PDF format to Katie Schoeny, Director of Education, at kschoeny@gormanfarm.org.

Deadline to Apply: October 1, 2023.

The Camp Manager/Farm Based Educator is responsible for creating, managing, and leading positive, experiential, and fun outdoor education experiences for the Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation (GHFF) Summer Day Camp program. The Camp Manager ensures the successful operation of the Summer Day Camp program, and helps to support the Farm’s important mission to cultivate a healthy community through farm-based education and experiences about food, sustainable agriculture and the natural world. Summer camp can have a significant impact on the social, emotional and physical growth of our young community members. This role can make a big difference in children’s lives. The GHF Summer Day Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, a testament to our commitment to very highest standards of operation.

Join a team that is passionately dedicated to providing engaging programs, growing nutritious, sustainable food, and stewarding our beautiful, historic, agricultural site. If you enjoy working with children

(5-13 years old), mentoring young adults (counselors), and spending time outside on a small working farm, this job may be for you!

Job Responsibilities:

Manage the day-to-day and yearly operations of the GHFF Summer Day Camp program (10 week summer program).

Daily responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing farm-based camp programming around our 122-acre farm, curriculum to include food, agriculture and the natural environment.
• Hiring, training, and managing seasonal camp counselor staff, as well as establishing a collaborative work relationship with Camp Coordinator.
• Managing camp registration and associated communication with families.
• Planning multiple camp sessions and activities as they relate to the farm.
• Willingness to work with other GHF staff and volunteers – to work as needed with animals, in a garden, and on a farm in support of the Farm’s mission.
• Sourcing needed camp supplies and operating within the income/expense budget.
• Working with the Director of Education, evaluate camp programs for impact and participant satisfaction (campers, families & counselors) to support grant applications and annual reports.
• Develop and implement new camp-style programming for “school vacation/break days” and afterschool programs during the school year.
• Working with the Director of Education, actively expand GHF Summer Day Camp diversity, equity and inclusion.

Teach/lead groups as needed for education programs (non-summer camp season) including but not limited to school field trips, off-site programs, public programs and scouts programming, including some weekend responsibilities.

Provide daily care of our educational farm animals as needed, throughout camp season.

Assist with annual GHFF fundraising events as needed, including some evenings and weekends.

Other duties as assigned.

Skills/Education

Collaborative leadership style. Ability to manage, teach, motivate and work with all ages.

Proficient in developing, conducting and leading camp programs and other interpretive programming.

Demonstrated experience working with children in a camp setting or other child-centered professional experience.

Demonstrated experience in training and managing staff, volunteers, and youth.

A bachelor’s degree in child development or a related field such as outdoor education or early childhood education. Experience and/or education in agriculture, science, or environmental studies is a plus. At least 3 years experience in a related position or field is desired.

Strong written and oral communication skills. Confident in public speaking.

Strong organizational and planning skills.

Computer skills for using camp management software, spreadsheets, scheduling, email etc.

Benefits:

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

Twelve 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 and Short/Long-Term Disability Insurance provided

Opportunity to participate in Simple IRA savings plan matched up to 3%

Additional Benefits:

The Camp Manager/Farm based Educator will be provided the opportunity to earn their Certified Interpretive Guide certificate through the National Association of Interpretation at no cost.

Professional development opportunities throughout the year, including the American Camp Assoc.

One free Farm rental per year and discounts on our farm products and programs

A dynamic, creative, team-oriented work environment.

An important nonprofit mission that “Cultivates a Healthy Community”

You get to work on a Farm!

Physical demands: This position requires the following physical activities: walking, bending, lifting, standing, sitting, reaching, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity. The work is performed indoors and outdoors. This work involves some contact with livestock, both large and small.

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

Other requirements: Positive attitude, demonstrated leadership of staff, team player, flexibility, comfortable on a farm and with animals, willingness to work in a small staff setting/non profit environment, willingness and availability to work some evenings and weekends, and enthusiasm and curiosity for learning.

About GHFF: The Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation is a non-profit foundation that operates the 122-acre historical, educational, working farm known as Gorman Heritage Farm. In 2022, Gorman Heritage Farm served about 4,000 young people through its field trips, summer day camp, and preschool-aged programs, educating about food, sustainable agriculture and the natural world. Please visit our website www. gormanfarm.org to learn about our vision, values, and all of our educational programs.

Gorman Heritage Farm is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. In our commitment to making sure our applicant pool is diverse we reserve the right to extend the application period or seek additional candidates if it is not.

Research suggests that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that any applicant is able to meet all of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if you are drawn to this position and feel your strengths would be an asset to the organization, we highly encourage you to apply.

More information can be found here.