SENIOR HYDROPONIC FARMER-EDUCATOR

About the role

Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) is building a food-secure future through school-based, youth-led hydroponic farming, providing local, sustainably-grown produce to food desert communities, and building health, education, and opportunity equity. TFFJ trains students in Title I middle and high schools to maintain indoor hydroponic farms through hands-on farm education in curricular-day classes and afterschool programs. TFFJ’s farm-in-school model meets immediate food access needs while equipping youth from marginalized communities with the tools to advocate for equitable food systems change. Student-grown produce is distributed to school cafeterias, campus families, and local food-insecure residents in underresourced communities of color.

Responsibilities

Farm Responsibilities

• Tending to hydroponic crops by seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and cleaning hydroponic systems (post-harvest), including pruning and trellising vine crops.
• Deploying various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) treatments and Plant Protection Products (PPP) as needed.
• Using the Farm Management Dashboard to submit accurate records, report issues, request supplies, and follow task-specific instructions while supporting on-site farm and classroom activities.
• Supporting core food distribution tasks, including harvesting, weighing, labeling, packing, and coordinating handoff of produce to ensure accurate orders, food safety compliance, and successful receipt by customers.
• Managing inventory of farm supplies by regularly assessing stock, requesting supplies as needed, receiving supplies from designated areas, and providing proof of receipt on the Farm Management Dashboard.
• Observing and enforcing food and farm safety protocols for all students, staff, and visitors.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness on the farm and ensuring that the farm is safe, clean, and presentable at all times.
• Periodically leading farm tours and chaperoning trips related to the farm and its afterschool program.
• Supporting the growth/success of other Farmer-Educators by strengthening training resources, contributing to PDs, sharing best practices, and serving as a peer mentor.

Program Responsibilities

• Leading students daily to operate a production-scale hydroponic farm in a public school.
• Co-teaching daily school day classes and weekly afterschool program sessions in the farm and engaging students in lessons and activities including (but not limited to) hands-on farm tasks, experiments and research, group discussions, cooking demonstrations, and gallery walks.
• Regularly collaborating with partner teachers to review and prepare lesson materials, including printing out materials and setting up activities in advance of class meeting times.
• Managing student farm assistant interns in helping with farm operations tasks.
• Brainstorming ways for students to take ownership of, and connect with, school day and afterschool content.
• Distributing and collecting class rosters, media consent, and other TFFJ-related permission forms from all classes and students engaged with the farm.
• Using the Farm Management Dashboard on Airtable to submit accurate class records, request supplies, and using the Curriculum Library to plan lessons with teachers and log recipes.
• Communicating clearly and regularly with the TFFJ Program team about school-based opportunities and community events.
• Attending regular Program team meetings (based on need and availability) to discuss curriculum needs and feedback, any program-related issues such as class attendance/scheduling, classroom management, and supply needs.
• Serving as the farm’s representative and advocate within the campus community, occasionally attending community events outside of school hours as needed.

Administrative & Marketing Responsibilities

• Leading farm tours for TFFJ funders and other stakeholders.
• Supporting staff coordination of site-based events (including farm visits) as well as off-site events involving students.
• Coordinating with relevant staff to help facilitate volunteer engagement.
• Supporting grant reporting, program evaluation, and other documentation as needed.
• Attending regular School Safety meetings and reporting back on items relevant to farm operations.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience working with youth and/or food, or in nutrition/agricultural education and/or community-based programming, or other related fields.
• Interest in working with young people and building a positive youth development culture.
• Ability to clear a required NYC Public Schools background check (required to work in schools)
• Ability to clearly, consistently, and accurately communicate both verbally and electronically
• Comfortable using a Windows PC or Macbook for email, data entry, and calendars
• Ability to follow directions and provide directions to others
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Adhere to existing organizational systems
• Ability to work independently, but also be a team player
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to climb ladders/rolling staircases
• Ability to provide three professional or volunteer references

Qualifications

• Knowledge of, and demonstrated commitment to, social justice
• High energy level and a positive outlook
• Proficiency in Spanish

Pay

This position is salaried, $64,350 - $75,000.