Company description

Working Theory Farm is an organic farm and youth development nonprofit located in Hillsboro, Oregon, a suburb of the Portland metro area. Our mission is to empower youth through the shared work of farming to grow food for partner organizations who distribute this food to families in need. We support youth through a mixture of mentorship and employment programming, and work with partners to hire youth who have been impacted by the carceral system, homelessness or housing instability, developmental disabilities, and other barriers.

With the help of many, we’ve been able to grow and donate over 90,000 pounds of organic produce since the start of the pandemic, and provided meaningful employment to over 70 youth ages 14-24 through our Transitional Employment Program.

Job description

Job Description: We are hiring a seasonal Youth Program Lead to join our small team to mentor youth employees during the day-to-day work of farming during the height of the 2026 growing season.

Compensation: $30.25/hr Benefits include medical insurance (100% of a Kaiser Permanente Silver plan or equivalent), dental insurance, federal mileage reimbursement for off farm travel, and plentiful farm produce.

Start Date, Schedule, and Location: 30 hours per week, late June through the end of September, 2026 with the potential to grow into more leadership and/or a permanent role.

Job Responsibilities:

• Build affirmative, supportive relationships with youth participants while working side-by-side on farm tasks.
  Teach and facilitate daily farm tasks such as bed preparation, weeding, seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and post harvest handling. Farm experience is not a requirement; all farm skills can be learned on the job.
• Foster a strong team environment and build effective working relationships. Maintain open and effective communication with the leadership team, other adult staff, and youth.
• Work with other staff to hold youth accountable to expectations.
• Collaborate with Youth Program Staff to implement surveys, exit interviews, and other program evaluation tools.
• Participation in farm tasks will require the ability to lift and carry 50 lbs over short distances, walk over rough ground, bend at the waist, and squat repeatedly throughout the course of a workday, as well as the willingness and ability to work in all weather conditions.

Skills and Experience (what we’re looking for from all candidates):

• Strong resonance with our mission and program
  Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• At least one year experience as an educator, social worker, or some other form of youth mentor
• Experience leading or working closely with a team
• Experience working with and building solidarity across cultural and experiential differences
• Comfort working both interpersonally and independently
• Reliability, organization, and attention/commitment to task completion
• Skill and experience giving and receiving constructive feedback and engaging in conflict processes

To apply for the position, please head over to our website www.workingtheoryfarm.org/hiring

Additional information about our organization can be found at workingtheoryfarm.org

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

June 11, 2026