The Edible Schoolyard Project (ESYP) is dedicated to transforming the health and wellness of children in the Bay Area and beyond. By designing hands-on experiences in our garden, kitchen, and cafeteria, we connect children to food, nature, and one another. At the heart of an Edible Education is a dynamic and joyful learning experience for every child. The Edible Schoolyard Project was founded in 1995 by Alice Waters, the sustainable agriculture champion, school food reform advocate, and founder of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, CA.

The Edible Schoolyard at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California serves as the Edible Schoolyard Project’s demonstration site and innovation hub. We garden and cook with sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and the program is fully integrated into the academic experience of every student. In addition, we produce a robust curriculum, host family focused programing and welcome guests from around the world for tours and trainings.

What it Means To Work Here

When you join our team, you are part of a curious, collaborative, equity-focused team that appreciates creativity and finds joy in our collective mission. We are deeply committed to providing an edible education using a whole-child educational model which teaches life skills, academics, environmental stewardship, and health in the garden and kitchen classroom. Our work environment appeals to those who are self-starters, enjoy working as part of a small team and able to communicate and engage the ESYP vision.

Position Description

The Edible Schoolyard Project is looking for an Program Director to oversee the management of the Edible Schoolyard Berkeley. The role will develop systems, procedures and structures that enable the team to provide the highest quality instruction to our diverse students. In addition, the Program Director will provide day-to-day direction for the Kitchen and Garden Managers and play a key role in the planning and execution of educator trainings and outreach.

We are seeking a person who is highly skilled in team management and has a strategic mindset. At the Edible Schoolyard Project, the student is the center/focus in every decision that is made. Candidates will provide the resources and systems necessary to have a positive and productive work environment for their team. In addition, we are seeking a candidate with great interpersonal skills who can engage with people of all ages and has a passion for food and education.

Key Projects Include:

• Manage the Kitchen and Garden teams that are dedicated to student instruction, curriculum development and educator trainings.
• Maintain an ongoing relationship with the administration, faculty and students at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and will represent the Edible Schoolyard more broadly in the Berkeley Unified School District community.
• Design systems and structures that enable a robust educational experience for students, meet the goals and objectives of the organization and produce a team environment that is supportive and productive.
• Oversee multiple simultaneous projects, including general project management to ensure projects are completed on time with the specified deliverables.
• Oversee the development and revision of curriculum in order to produce a robust portfolio of options that are culturally relevant and meet specified curriculum standards.
• Engage with Berkeley community in order to promote awareness of the program and resources provided.
• Engage deeply with national farm to school organizations and edible education organizations to promote awareness of the program and the multitude of resources provided on our online platform and in-person trainings.
• Manage the growth of the Edible Schoolyard Berkley program, including trainings, workshops, and additional innovative programing.
• Provide the team with effective and meaningful opportunities for professional growth.

The Strongest Candidate Will Have:

• Extensive experience with team management and program management
• A strong passion for creating a more equitable and just food experiences for our children.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and highly effective written and oral communication skills.
• An innovative mindset and able to dream big, while being mindful of day-to-day operational needs.
• Experience building collaborative teams that work on diverse projects and have rapidly changing environments and experiences.

Experience and Training  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in a subject area related to this role.
• OR 5 years of professional-level experience performing team management and/or program management.
• Strong, demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Design Thinking

What We Offer

The Edible Schoolyard Project offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefit package.

The Edible Schoolyard is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, disability or protected veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.