Associate Vertical Farm Operator/Program Facilitator

About the Role

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. This role will support the site at the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, CA, as well as the upcoming Oakland, CA location.

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 planned vacation, single-day or multi-day staff absences, emergency sick leave, special projects, events, organizational commitments, and 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, including:

• Institutional onboarding: background checks, a three-day CDCR on-site training class, and one virtual Joint Ventures training session.
• Growing Justice training: review of program curriculum, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and hands-on farm operations training.
• Shadowing program staff for 2–3 days, co-leading classroom and farm activities, and demonstrating the ability to independently manage a full program day before being activated for coverage assignments.

Pay

$32.11 per hour (hourly non-exempt).

Schedule

Approximately 5-10 hours per month, with a maximum of 12 hours per month.