Senior Hydroponic Farmer-Educator: Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational Campus

Position Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Reports To: Senior Farm Operations Manager
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational Campus (Manhattan). Periodic travel may be required for meetings and events.

About the Role

Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) is building a food-secure future through school-based hydroponic farming, training students to grow produce for their food-insecure communities while equipping them with tools to advocate for food systems change.

Work with us to build an equitable, sustainable, healthy food system throughout New York City through school-based, youth-led hydroponic farming. As TFFJ’s Senior Farmer-Educator, you play a critical role in empowering and educating the next generation to work and advocate for major systems change in bringing healthy, affordable food to their communities. Farmer-Educators trained by TFFJ master the newest hydroponic technologies for growing food sustainably, as they in turn train students in these skills. This role maintains TFFJ’s showcase farm in Manhattan, near our central offices, on a campus that engages five co-located high schools. We’re looking for a dynamic multitasker who can run farm and class operations while also bridging communications between campus administrators and our team. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and possess strong organizational and communication skills.

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 and working with students daily to operate a production-scale hydroponic farm in a public school.
• Co-teaching daily school day classes and weekly afterschool program sessions that utilize the farm and engage 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 prior to our school-day and afterschool programming. This includes printing out materials and setting up activities in advance of class meeting times.
• Managing student farm assistant interns in helping with farm operations tasks (e.g., tracking attendance, providing them with farm tasks, tracking hours, and communicating with partner staff).
• Brainstorming ways for students to take ownership of, and connect with, the school day and afterschool content presented.
• 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 use 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 meetings (at a cadence based on Farmer-Educator need and availability) with the Program team 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.

Desired Qualifications

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

Benefits

• 18 PTO days.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Professional development stipend.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a match.

Pay

Salary Range: $66,500 – $70,000.

Schedule

This is a school-based role, and the schedule may depend on the school’s schedule. Typical hours are 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.