Job: Full Time Farm Educator, Philadelphia

Position: WWCP Farm Educator; Status: Full-Time/Salaried; Reports to: Executive Director of WWCP Weavers Way Community Programs (WWCP), the non-profit arm of Weavers Way Co-op, seeks a full-time Farm Educator. The Farm Educator will run education programming at both Weavers Way Farm and the Hope Garden at Stenton Family Manor (Northwest Philadelphia). WWCP’s Farm Education is a dynamic, interactive program that takes place at Weavers Way Farm, a two-acre urban production farm on land at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, as well as other locations. Students of all ages, from pre-school to college, as well as community groups, visit the farm throughout the year to learn about urban agriculture and the locally grown food movement. Programs range from one-time field trips to regular service learning clubs and in-class lessons. About half this position will be managing The Hope Garden, a one-quarter-acre farm at Stenton Family Manor (a city run homeless shelter for families). Food is produced for both the kitchen and sale at local markets. The main focus of this garden is on education for the residents. Children’s programming is organized throughout the year at summer camp and after school. The Farm Educator will plan and coordinate a diversity of WWCP Education programs, contact schools, schedule field trips, and implement farm-based education for a variety of groups. The Farm Educator will also manage intensive vegetable production in both the Children’s Garden and the Hope Garden. Additional responsibilities include sale of produce at weekly farmer’s markets, volunteer management, and community outreach. Working with community organizations, educational institutions, and other groups of children and adults, the educator’s purpose is to increase the community’s knowledge of, and experience with, urban agriculture.

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The successful candidate will have experience in and desire to deliver educational programs to a diverse audience; prior training in and working knowledge of organic vegetable crop management including compost-making, bed preparation, seed-starting, growing, harvesting, post-harvest care, and sales; and experience in supervising farm interns.

Qualifications
Commitment to the mission and goals of Weavers Way Community Programs and Co-op.
Ability to work well with students of all ages, and a variety of cultures.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Strong work ethic, mature judgment, and problem solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to work with committees and volunteers.
Must be creative, have positive attitude, and willingness to help expand programming.
Strong verbal communication skills and ability to explain initiatives of Weavers Way Community Programs, Farm and Co-op.
Ability to speak about our programs for radio, television, and print media.
Ability to operate and perform maintenance on farm tools such as a rototiller, weed-eater, and mower.
Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions and lift up to 40 pounds.

Salary to be determined based on experience. Position includes standard Weavers Way benefits for FT employee, including health insurance. A registered and insured vehicle is needed as position involves work at multiple locations in Northwest Philadelphia. The farm educator will need to obtain the PA Child Abuse and Criminal History clearances immediately upon hiring.

The schedule varies according to time of year. Applicant should be willing to work one weekend day if necessary during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. It is anticipated that during the growing season, the days will be quite long. Overtime above 50 hours/week may be accumulated and used for vacation (beyond the time in the Personnel Policy Manual) up to a maximum of 2 weeks.

Deadline for submission is December 8, 2010. EOE.
Please indicate your available times for an interview the week of December 13th.
Position to begin in Mid February 2011.

To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume, supporting materials and inquiries to:
wwcp@weaversway.coop
https://www.weaversway.coop
559 Carpenter Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19119
267.872.4134