Teacher-in-Residence

Interested in helping children connect with nature?

Slide Ranch is a non-profit farm-based environmental education organization located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, on coastal wildlands just 25 minutes north of San Francisco.

The mission of Slide Ranch is to connect children to nature. We cultivate healthy bodies and minds and foster future generations of environmental stewards. By farming, cooking, caring for animals
and exploring wilderness and the coast, we teach people of all ages to see the connection between their own health, a healthy food system and a healthy environment.

Position Overview

Slide Ranch's Teacher-in-Residence program fosters and inspires the next generation of leaders in education, sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. 

Apply yourself for 10-1/2 months that supports your growth as an educator and steward, and prepares you for a meaningful career! You will gain valuable, hands-on experience, professional development, and training in agricultural and environmental education while living and working with a dynamic group of about 18 people on a rural, coastal farm within a national park.

Teachers-in-Residence customize and lead programs for Bay Area children and families from a wide range of backgrounds. Experiential education programs include both day and overnight visits, exploring the farm (pasture with sheep and goats, chickens, ducks, bee hives and an organic garden), cooking, trails and tide pools.  

The Teacher-in-Residence program trains seven people each year through a residential, hands-on teaching internship that includes daily teaching responsibilities as well as experience with organic gardening, animal husbandry, sustainable farming and facilities maintenance, with ongoing training in all areas.

In addition to teaching, all interns actively participate in running the farm. Teachers-in-Residence also learn about the operation of a nonprofit organization, help with fundraising projects, and provide support for various volunteer and fundraising events during the internship.  Teachers may participate in creating onsite and online curriculum, including video clips or blog entries that will appear on our website and other social media.  

Internship Components    

The central focus of this position is on teaching. Programs serve pre-K through adult visitors, with the majority being elementary school-aged children.

The work week typically involves 5 teaching days. Most programs are 1 day visits (10am- 2pm) but we also offer overnight programs in which teachers work with the group for two or more days and lead an evening  camp fire. Overnight programs do not require TIRs to camp or supervise the group at night.

Program formats vary seasonally.  In spring and fall, the focus is on school, community group, volunteer and family programs, with a Tuesday- Saturday work week. Summer months are focused on our day camp program, with a Monday-Friday work week. 

Responsibilites  

Farm and Community life:

• Teachers are responsible for a daily ranch chore outside of the 8-hour internship day, and night-time goat-milking on a rotating basis.
• In addition, teachers will have residential community
• responsibilities outside the internship day, including a weekly resident chore, cooking dinner for fellow residents twice each month, and a monthly resident meeting. 

Qualifications  

• This position requires a collaborative spirit working with a team of teaching peers and organization staff. 
• The successful candidate will possess a great attitude and strong motivation to experience all facets of the internship as important to one's learning and development. 

• Prior experience in education or working with children. 
• Desire to learn about farming, stewardship and teaching to various ages.
• Awareness of multicultural environmental education and issues related to the urban environment and current local, regional and global events.
• Flexibility, enthusiasm, creativity, curiosity, and positive attitude.
• Eagerness to practice engaging students with an interactive, thematic teaching approach.
• High level of personal responsibility in work and professionalism when dealing with the public and colleagues.
• Ability to take initiative and adopt a solution-oriented approach, while understanding the value of teamwork.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to accept supervision and guidance.
• Interest in participating in nonprofit events including fundraising activities, volunteer programs and donor events. 
• Multilingualism, especially Spanish language.

Physical Requirements

• Duties are performed in a hilly and rural outdoor setting and can be physically demanding, including manual labor such as shoveling, lifting up to 40 lbs., and farm chores outside of an 8-hour day. 
• Applicants must be comfortable living in rustic accommodations.

Compensation/Stipend 

• A $900 monthly stipend, housing (individual cabin) and healthy food valued at $1000/month, plus the opportunity to live with a group of dedicated, passionate people engaged in meaningful work in a spectacular, rural setting close to San Francisco.
• Limited scholarship funding may be offered, based on need. Food includes farm-raised veggies, eggs, dairy, and meat, as well as staples purchased offsite. 
• A generous vacation plan includes a 3 week break from August 19th. -September 10th, 3 days during Thanksgiving week, plus 5 discretionary days.
• Sick days are taken as needed. Starting in 2017, Slide Ranch has increased the stipend amount and will no longer be providing health care due to new options available under the Affordable Care Act. Teachers-in-Residence must provide their own ACA compliant health insurance.

To Apply

• Please use the email (or fax or mail) resume, contact info for 3 references, and a personal statement by September 7, 2016.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply.
• In the personal statement, indicate why this position is of interest to you. We encourage you to describe any professional or personal experience you think may be relevant, including working with youth, additional languages to English, previous experience living in a residential community, and any unique skills or diversity you would bring to this team. We are also interested in any farm, garden or wilderness experience you may have had. 
• Please indicate in your application where you saw this internship posting.
• We will begin interviewing applicants after September 7th, and all applicants will be notified by email when the positions have been filled.  
• Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.   

Slide Ranch Attn: Program Manager                             
2025 Shoreline Hwy.
Muir Beach, CA 94965            

~ Please note that Slide Ranch aims to increase diversity in our staff and support an intern cohort that reflects the demographics of our San Francisco Bay Area community. People of all colors, cultures, class, age, genders, and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply.

Slide Ranch provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. ~