Associate Vertical Farm Operator/Program Facilitator

Impact Justice advances safety, justice, and opportunity through boundary-breaking work that honors and empowers people and is changing expectations about what we can accomplish together. We imagine, build, and scale innovations, leverage research and other knowledge to connect the desire for change with informed action, and work to shift the narrative so that decision-makers and the public understand what’s at stake and what’s possible.

About Growing Justice

Growing Justice is a first-of-its-kind reentry and workforce development program, blending vertical farming and classroom instruction with intensive reentry and job readiness support. Through partnerships with AmplifiedAg, Skout Strategy, and Agritecture, participants gain hands-on training, employment preparation, and wraparound support that positions them for success post-release. Inspired by Impact Justice's 2020 series Eating Behind Bars, which documented the unhealthy and degrading quality of prison food nationwide, Growing Justice also reimagines food justice inside correctional facilities.

In 2026, Growing Justice launched its first vertical farm site in South Carolina at CGGCI. Growing Justice is also launching two additional sites in the summer of 2026: one at the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, CA, and another inside Impact Justice's office building in downtown Oakland, CA. Together, these sites expand the reach of Growing Justice, advancing food justice, workforce readiness, and reentry pathways nationwide.

Who You Are

You are passionate about supporting people impacted by incarceration and believe deeply in second chances. You are dependable, organized, and comfortable stepping into an established program to keep operations running smoothly. You enjoy working with people, solving problems, and following systems that support both crop production and participant learning. You may come from a background in agriculture, horticulture, controlled environment agriculture, food justice, education, workforce development, community programming, or related fields. You are comfortable leading small groups, following established procedures, and maintaining a safe and productive food production system and learning environment.

We know there are great candidates who may not think they fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself! We welcome all applicants, including formerly incarcerated individuals, those with family members that have been incarcerated, and persons with direct criminal or juvenile legal system experience.

Responsibilities

• Farm Operations Support
  • Execute daily and weekly farm checklists to ensure safe and standardized farm operations.
  • Monitor and maintain optimal plant health.
  • Support seeding, transplanting, harvesting, cleaning, and sanitation activities.
  • Monitor environmental systems, irrigation equipment, and crop health.
  • Follow established food safety, biosecurity, and operational procedures.
  • Assist with inventory management and farm logistics.
  • Identify operational concerns and communicate them to program leadership.
  • Adhere to integration and instruction of all relevant food safety standards.
• Classroom Instruction and Participant Support
  • Deliver established lessons using provided slide decks, speaker notes, and activity guides.
  • Facilitate participant discussions and hands-on learning activities.
  • Maintain a positive and productive classroom environment.
  • Support participant engagement and encourage professional workplace behaviors.
  • Follow lesson plans and instructional schedules developed by the program team.
• Program Coordination and Communication
  • Maintain communication with Growing Justice staff regarding farm conditions, participant engagement, and operational needs.
  • Document major activities, observations, and issues during coverage periods.
  • Follow established escalation procedures for facility, safety, or operational concerns.
  • Coordinate with facility staff and program partners as needed.
• Coverage Responsibilities
  • Provide as-needed coverage for primary farm operator and instructor during the following instances:
    • Planned vacation coverage.
    • Single-day staff absences.
    • Multi-day staff absences.
    • Emergency sick leave.
    • Special projects and events.
    • Organizational commitments and activities.
    • Temporary staffing transitions.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in agriculture, horticulture, greenhouse production, food justice, education, workforce development, or a related field.
• Ability to independently follow established systems, procedures, and schedules.
• Experience facilitating groups, teaching, training, or mentoring others.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and maintain professional boundaries.
• Comfort working within a correctional facility environment.
• Ability to pass all required facility clearance and background requirements.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to CCWF in Chowchilla, CA or Impact Justice headquarters in Oakland.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hydroponics, greenhouse production, or controlled environment agriculture.
• Experience delivering workforce development or vocational training programs.
• Familiarity with food safety and agricultural SOPs.
• Experience supporting justice-impacted individuals.
• Agricultural education, horticulture, or related certifications.
• Personal lived experience with the criminal justice system or reentry process.

Onboarding

Selected candidates will complete a structured onboarding process required by the Correctional Institution and Growing Justice dealing with operations, curriculum, and participant engagement practices. Institutional onboarding will include background checks, a three-day CDCR on-site training class, and one virtual Joint Ventures training session. Growing Justice training will include a review of program curriculum, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety protocols, as well as hands-on farm operations training. Candidates will shadow program staff for 2–3 days, co-lead both classroom and farm activities, and demonstrate the ability to independently manage a full program day before being activated for coverage assignments.

Pay

The starting salary for this position is $32.11 per hour.

Schedule

This position is hourly non-exempt and will require a schedule of approximately 5-10 hours per month, with a maximum of 12 hours per month.