Education Program Coordinator

~ Chip-in Farm was named in 1944 when members of the Couvee family “chipped in” to purchase a small farm in Bedford. ~

A visit to the farm today brings you back to a simpler time when food was local and farms were family-run. Farmer's Helpers offers farm-based education classes and events at Chip-In Farm in Bedford, Massachusetts. We aim to connect our community to the farm through classes, events, farm visits, and a traveling farmyard. Spending time on a working farm gives us a deeper connection to our food and offers an opportunity to spend more time outside, plus there's so much fun to be had on the farm! Our primary focus is on classes and events for children - in a time when our kids have less and less access to the outdoors (and especially to farms), Farmer's Helpers classes give kids the ​opportunity to develop skills through hands-on activities, real farm work, and outdoor play.

Position Overview

Looking for a dynamic outdoor job where you’ll have the chance to work with both kids and animals?

The Education Programs Coordinator will help design, implement, and manage all aspects of the educational programs on and off the farm. Programs include an outdoor program for preschoolers, after-school programs for elementary students, summer programs, family classes, birthday parties, school visits, and traveling farmyards.

Our ideal candidate is organized, flexible, and a self-starter, and will have experience working with kids outdoors and will be comfortable developing and implementing curriculum, answering emails, scheduling classes, birthdays, and events, using social media and online marketing tools to promote programs, creating seasonal budgets, and managing staff.

Responsibilities

Teaching:

• Co-teach the outdoor program for preschoolers, after-school classes, and special events such as birthday parties and school visits.
• Number of teaching hours will vary seasonally.

Budgeting/Invoicing:

• Create and manage seasonal budgets for all programs.
• Create and send invoices to clients for private events.
• Create and send seasonal invoices to the town Recreation Department
• Work with Education Director and Wellness Coordinator to track payments for private events such as farm visits, birthday parties, and Goat Yoga.

Marketing:

• Use Social Media and other online marketing tools to promote education programs.
• Create weekly educational and/or photo update facebook posts about the farm.
• Create and send seasonal email newsletters through Mailchimp.
• Create a seasonal print flyer for all programs to post in the barn and farm store.
• Update the education website using Weebly to add new class descriptions seasonally and as needed.
• Create brochures and other print marketing material.

Programs/Curriculum Development:

• Set up and manage registration for programs through Eventbrite or through the town Recreation Department.
• Collaborate with other teachers to develop curriculum and schedules for farm classes.
• Opportunity to develop new programs and classes on the farm.

Overall:

• Work with Education Director to manage educational programs on and off the farm.
• Maintain an updated schedule of classes/programs/events.
• Oversee the Wellness Coordinator as they set up Goat Yoga and meditation events on and off the farm, to ensure there is no scheduling conflict.
• Answer customer questions by email.
• Handle email booking requests.
• Continue to develop the nature-based program for preschoolers.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a general knowledge of farms and farm animals. Interest in/knowledge of natural history is a bonus!
• Have or are working toward a degree in agriculture, education, environmental studies, or a related field is preferred.
• Previous experience working with children and families.
• Ability to safely lead groups of children outside and on a farm in varying conditions.
• Competency using Gsuite, excel, word, Facebook Marketing, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Quickbooks, Wufoo, Weebly and/or willingness to learn.
• Be able to work as part of a team while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Ability to work on a farm and with farm animals, including cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, cats, dogs, chickens, and pigs OR eagerness and willingness to learn.
• Current certification in CPR and First Aid or an equivalent current certification is preferred.
• Successful candidates must pass a background records check (CORI and SORI).

Additional Information

• Hours: 10-30 hours/week (seasonal variance). Potential for additional hours, especially in late spring to early fall.
• Rate: Determined based on experience.

To Apply

Let us know why you should be a part of our team!

Please send your cover letter and resume to:

Sandy Couvee
Education Director/Owner
chipinfarmclasses@gmail.com
Farmer’s Helpers, LLC