The Farm Educator works closely with the Farmer to support the Farm Program at Swallowtail School. The Farm Educator serves as a communication bridge between the Farmer and the Class Teachers, helps to plan and hold classes at the farm, and prepares spaces for class activities. A typical week for the Farm Educator would include 8 hours of direct interaction with students, 6 hours of planning, and 6 hours of farm labor. Attendance at school meetings is not generally required, but may occasionally occur.
Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm serves students from Preschool through 8th Grade. We are located in the heart of Washington County where forest and farmland meet the Portland suburbs. Our farm campus includes farmed agricultural zones, a pond and river, low lying fields that flood each year, and native forest. We have been involved in grant work to develop new processes for the removal of invasive species and restoration of native habitat. Our students visit the property once a week to engage with the land and learn about sustainable food production and how we can care for and restore natural areas.
Specific duties for the Farm Educator position include:
- Communicate with Class Teachers and the Farmer to coordinate the schedule and plan for the activities on farm days. This involves frequent communication with the Farmer to understand the upcoming work at the farm and plan for the tasks that would be most suited to involving students in the work. They also check in regularly with class teachers to understand upcoming curriculum themes and get feedback from teachers on their interests for the farm, and communicate that back to the farmer.
- Assist the Farmer in preparing spaces for class activities (for example: by preparing a planting bed, mowing a portion of the field, or procuring native plants for habitat restoration work).
- Assist the Farmer in holding class activities as needed, or lead class activities as assigned by Farmer.
- Occasionally attend committee meetings related to the use of the property, to offer insights into the physical space and potential needs or considerations.
- Assist the Farmer in completing farm work, as needed and as time allows.
Required Trainings/Attributes
- Ability to work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
- Experience working with elementary age students, preferably in an outdoor education setting.
- A desire and ability to communicate and connect with many different groups (students, families, teachers, and community partners) as they use our farm property.
- Knowledge of standard land management practices and tools such as plowing, mowing, pruning, carpentry, irrigation, planting, and harvesting.
- Ability to develop and maintain an efficient workflow, ability to manage several projects simultaneously and adapt to frequent changes.
Physical requirements
- Prolonged periods of standing and frequent bending.
- Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
- Must be able to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds at a time.
This is a half time position. Depending on the skills of the applicant, it could possibly be combined with another role at the school to create a full time position.
Swallowtail School is an associate member of AWSNA and WECAN. Compensation is $20 – $24 per hour, based on education and experience. This position includes 50% tuition remission for dependents.
COMPENSATION
this position is : hourly, $20/hr +
