Sunol AgPark Education and Site Manager

SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture Education) is a small, growing, entrepreneurial non-profit organization located in Berkeley. Our mission is to develop sustainable agriculture at the urban-rural interface, and to engage a culturally diverse regional population with the sustainable agriculture movement. A primary focus is the development of Agricultural Parks (AgParks) as a land use that advances land access for small and medium scale farmers, enhances natural resource stewardship, and provides fresh food and opportunities for agricultural education for nearby communities.

Position Overview:

SAGE is seeking an experienced agricultural-environmental educator and site manager for the 18-acre Sunol Water Temple Agricultural Park located in the beautiful Sunol Valley. SAGE has a 9 year lease with San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for the AgPark and subleases the farming areas to 3 small farming enterprises. The Sunol AgPark is guided by a Management Plan which is a blueprint for fulfilling the project's farming, public education, and natural resource stewardship goals.

A 2011 charge of the position is to manage the development of a Program Plan for the Alameda Creek Watershed Center in Sunol, an educational facility being developed by SFPUC next to the AgPark. This plan will be developed by SAGE under direction of the SFPUC and in collaboration with other partners. The purpose of the plan is to identify primary uses, audiences, and partners for the Watershed Center; to provide a blue-print for program development, phased implementation, management, and operations.

The ongoing charge of the position is to continue to develop, help fundraise for, and implement AgPark education programs for several target audiences: school children, youth, and the general public. These programs will be integrated in the Watershed Center programming as it comes on line. The position also has responsibility for site management and farmer management, in conjunction various agriculture experts and consultants.

Responsibilities:

Education Program responsibilities, are supported by an Education Coordinator, and include:

• Manage the development of a Program Plan for the Alameda Creek Watershed Center, based on an existing work plan and in collaboration with established partners (work is fully funded)
• Continue to develop and implement a classroom field trip program for 4th -8th graders, utilizing the recently completed Farming in the Watershed Curriculum, and a related overnight field trip program
• Continue to develop and implement service and project-based learning for middle and high school students (11-18 year olds); these programs are designed to foster participants' connection to place, and focus on developing the native plant hedgerow, wildlife enhancements, and riparian restoration.
• Plan and implement public education programs and events including workdays, educational field trips, and an annual fundraising event
• With support from SAGE staff, plan and implement fundraising for AgPark education programs; (50% of the education program budget has committed funding, the other 50% needs to be raised)
• Deepen relationships with existing education program partners and develop new partners
• Deepen the engagement of the local Sunol community and other nearby communities in the AgPark through events, workdays, and creation of a "Friends of the Sunol AgPark" group
• Supervise the Education Coordinator, contract teachers, and interns
• Coordinate meetings of the AgPark education and advisory committees

Site Management, Farmer Management, and Administration Responsibilities include:

• Manage maintenance of infrastructure including fence, irrigation system and roads; secure professional services as needed
• Support the team that is planning and constructing an outdoor classroom at the AgPark
• Oversee AgPark protocols designed for health and safety of the farmers and visitors
• Manage primary communication with farmers, including organizing quarterly farmer meetings and a year-end evaluation meeting, and supporting - as feasible - farmers' collaborative initiatives, such as co-marketing and co-purchasing
• Support SAGE office manager with review and administration of the Farming License Agreements and other farmer-related paperwork and filing; monitor farmers' adherence to License terms
• Develop a quarterly work plan and annual AgPark budget; manage AgPark communications

SAGE Team Responsibilities include:

• Participate in weekly staff meetings
• Participate in SAGE outreach and communications
• Identify and pursue additional earned-income, grant, and other funding opportunities that may advance SAGE's work through the Sunol AgPark
• Collaborate with SAGE President and Office Manager on annual budget process

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• At least 5 years of experience developing and managing agro-environmental education programs for school-age children, youth, and the public
• Knowledge of farming systems, sustainable agriculture practices and organic farming principles
• BS/BA in agricultural education, environmental studies, natural resource ecology, or agriculture is preferred; however 5-10 years experience can substitute for a degree
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; outstanding organizational and management skills
• Preferred candidates will have experience in fundraising and development for programmatic activities, and/or donor engagement and outreach.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• Professionalism and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to travel between the SAGE office in Berkeley and Sunol AgPark as well as to other locations for community outreach, events, and meetings.

Compensation: This is a full time position. Full funding has been secured for 2011 and partial funding for the following 5 years. The successful candidate will work with SAGE to secure the balance of the program funding. Salary rate will be determined by the level of experience. We will consider applicants with outstanding agricultural education program development experience but less direct agricultural experience. We will also consider an educational program contractor for the first 6 months only. Workplaces are a small field office in Sunol and the SAGE office at the David Brower Center in Berkeley.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, 3 references, 1 or 2 brief writing samples, and any supporting materials. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Anticipated start date is May 1.