Education Manager

~ Connolly Ranch Education Center is a non-profit, environmental education farm located in Napa, CA. ~

Governed by a board of directors, Connolly Ranch has a talented and dynamic staff of full and part-time educators, administrative support staff, and volunteers.

Connolly Ranch provides environmental education programs for over 5,000 children and adults each year through fieldtrips, classes and camps. Preschool teachers are part of a team that help Connolly Ranch meet our mission of inspiring life-long connections with nature through education, play, and hands-on exploration in a working farm environment that supports the whole child's development while also preparing children for school. 

Position Overview

The Education Manager is responsible for leading, managing and overseeing field trips and seasonal camps and maintaining the educational integrity of our farm-based educational programming. The Education Manager will play a key role on the management team and will collaborate with staff, Board and Executive Director to provide inspirational and strategic direction.

This role involves teaching and leading staff in natural environments and creating outdoor teaching spaces that facilitate hands-on, interactive learning. 

This position is 25-35 hours a week during fall, winter and spring and 40 hours a week during summer - with potential for year-round full-time status. Must be able to work some weekends and evenings to lead programs and attend meetings or other special events. Start date tentatively March 1. This is a part-time, non-benefitted position. 

Responsibilities 

• Design, develop, implement and teach hands-on, interactive, farm-based curriculum that is aligned with Common Core and Next Generation standards.
• Be an entrepreneurial organizational leader who can proactively work with the Executive Director, Board and other key partners to identify strategic opportunities for current and new education programs, identify needed resources and successfully launch and implement these initiatives.
• Recruit, hire, train, manage, and conduct performance evaluations on seasonal camp and field trip staff.
• Oversee programming, bookings and schedules for all field trip groups and other educational programs as assigned.
• Document program activities and lesson plans.
• Regularly evaluate and track metrics for educational programs.
• Lead farm tours as needed.
• Outreach to schools, partners, local groups and parents to increase participation in educational programs and events.
• Work with Executive Director to set reasonable targets, track expenses and ensure assigned programs are operating according to the approved budget.
• Work closely with key staff at the farm, especially marketing, to ensure education program business goals (including registration numbers) are achieved.
• Identify, seek and secure targeted grant funding that supports strategic organizational objectives and facilitates program growth and impact.
• Design, implement and evaluate regular program reviews to ensure the program goals for participant satisfaction and learning outcomes are met; Communicate regularly with parents and teachers.
• Work closely with Program Manager, Executive Director and Ranch Manager to ensure education programs are well integrated into other aspects of the farm's operations, and taking advantage of possible organizational synergies.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the latest developments in the field of nature-based environmental education, sustainable food systems and agriculture, as well as experiential education, and evolve and improve program curriculum to ensure Connolly Ranch is "best in class" and a leader in hands-on farm-based education.
• Be proactive in developing and managing relationships with key partner organizations, including other non-profits and schools, to help strengthen existing programs and identify opportunities for new programs. Participate in community events and meetings as appropriate.
• Oversight and management of garden and other facilities to ensure areas are ready, safe and prepared for school groups and camps. Work closely with management teams, staff and Board to design and create physical spaces that facilitate learning.
• Assist with special events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by Executive Director. 

Qualifications 

• Five-plus years progressive leadership and management in a classroom or in an experiential education setting, preferably in outdoor classrooms or farm-based setting.
• A strong interest in and knowledge of ecology, food system, sustainable agriculture, and the natural environment. With design experience with nature-based projects including art, cooking, etc.
• A demonstrated passion for the field of experiential education and to inspiring future generations through farm, garden and/or nature-based education.
• Strong desire to be part of a dynamic, entrepreneurial work environment and a growing, farm-based non-profit organization.
• Bachelors Degree in Education, Agriculture, Environmental, or a related field.
• Related Advanced degree is desired but not required.
• Strong organizational abilities, time management skills and ability to effectively plan ahead across the program season, and to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial skills and out-of-the-box thinker including the ability to successfully design and launch new initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and public communication abilities, including excellent customer service and management ability with a diverse workforce, as well as writing and public speaking skills.
• Energetic, dynamic and engaging personality.
• Experience in hiring, training, motivating, and supporting educational staff (especially seasonal staff).
• Ability to work well independently as a member of a high functioning team and develop effective working relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to be flexible to the changing needs of a vibrant and growing, but small, organization, and to work well under pressure.
• Fluency in Spanish would be ideal.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. 

Required Certifications: 

• Successful completion of background screen process.
• First Aid, CPR and AED certification obtained or required within 30 days of employment and maintained throughout employment, Wilderness First Responder preferred. 

Compensation: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience with vacation and sick pay, healthcare stipend and professional development opportunities. 

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your resume and a cover letter. Type "Education Manager" into the subject line.