Food Roots is a hiring an Education Specialist to join our Farm to School team.

The Farm to School program provides hands-on, garden-based lessons rooted in science content, local food tastings, farmer visits to classrooms, farm field trips, farm to school related family and community engagement and local food procurement support for school food buyers. Farm to School activities like these support student academic, social, emotional, behavioral and healthy habit development, and help families develop relationships with local food producers. 
 

Position Title: Farm to School Education Specialist

Reports to: Program Manager

Supervisor Responsibility: Some volunteer supervision

FTE: .75FTE / 30 hours per week

Compensation: $18 hourly wage plus eligibility for full health & vision insurance coverage after 30 days of employment. Food Roots provides nine paid holidays and paid time off by accrual basis.

Duration of employment: This is a regular, year-round staff position.

Schedule and location: This position is based at our downtown Tillamook office and requires frequent travel to school and other partner sites (mileage reimbursement is provided). Work activities are primarily scheduled during the school day with some evening and weekend events.

POSITION GOALS

• Develop and facilitate school and community partnerships, projects and activities that enhance Food Roots Farm to School program and mission.

• Provide on-going garden-based education and local food engagement activities in partnership with schools and other community organizations.

• Maintain strong relationships with teachers, administrators and staff, parents, and other community stakeholders and partners.

• Cultivate a safe, engaging environment throughout all program activities that is responsive to the academic, behavioral, social, emotional and physical needs of participants while recognizing the diversity of backgrounds and experiences participants bring with them.

• Increase the visibility of Food Roots Farm to School programming in our region.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach regular hands-on, garden based lessons to Pre-K-8th grade classes, following Food Roots’ garden science activity guide; provide these lessons virtually when necessary.

• Lead schoolwide tasting table events promoting local, regional, and Oregon produced foods and food producers.

• Plan and facilitate farmer engagement activities for Pre-K-8th grade classes such as farmer visits to classrooms, field trips to local farms, and farm field trip videos.

• Plan and facilitate family engagement events such as National Farm to School Month Local Food Open Houses.

• Collaborate with Food Roots staff, contractors, school and community partner staff, and parents and volunteers to maintain school gardens; lead volunteer work parties at garden sites.

• Participate and help facilitate monthly school garden committee meetings, seasonal meetings with school administrators, and school staff meetings as determined.

• Provide technical assistance, develop regional resources, facilitate annual gatherings, and participate in training as an Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network Regional Hub Lead for education.

• Work with team members to cross promote Food Roots programming and local food engagements.

• Invite ongoing feedback from teachers, administrators and staff, parents and students to enhance Farm to School educational programming.

• Participate in weekly Farm to School team meetings and Food Roots staff meetings, and staff retreats and trainings as determined.

• Keep garden and lesson materials well stocked and organized.

• Complete monthly tracking forms and support data collection for program evaluation as needed.

• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

POSITION ATTRIBUTES & QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 1-2 years experience working with pre-K, elementary, and/or junior high students required, including at least some hands-on learning and classroom management in outdoor environments. Familiarity with farm to school and school garden based programming is preferred.

• Must have a genuine enthusiasm for food systems work and the mission, goals, and values of Food Roots.

• Must have a commitment to inclusive and responsive teaching practices, modeling a growth mindset, and applying equity considerations to all activities.

• Highly motivated, creative, self-starter attitude with excellent attention to detail, multi-tasking, coordination, and organizing skills.

• Ability to work both independently and in close collaboration with team members to complete multiple projects on different timelines; ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and balance priorities.

• Work or lived experience adapting to environments with diverse socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural groups.

• Proficient computer skills and familiarity with either GSuite or Microsoft Office.

• Experience with or willingness to learn basic video editing and graphic design a plus but not required.

• Ability to speak, read and write Spanish at a conversational level is strongly preferred.

In addition to the attributes listed above, we invite applicants who may have the following experience:

• Higher education coursework or completion, or professional certification in areas like elementary education, environmental or outdoor education, nutrition, agriculture, botany, or horticulture.

• Experience working in areas like school food service, food systems sustainability, and food security.

• Experience working with Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, STEM/STEAM/STREAM, project-based learning, science literacy, social-emotional learning, or trauma-informed care practices.

• Experience growing organic vegetables in the Pacific Northwest.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a personal motor vehicle with travel to work sites.

• Program activities include some evening and weekend events.

• Frequently lift, carry or move 10-30 pounds; occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.