About The Trustees of Reservations:

The Trustees is an organization with a fascinating past and an exciting future. Our places are open to all and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891, by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts and work to protect special places across the state. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 26,000+ acres on more than 100 reservations that are all open to the public. We are a nonprofit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and more than 50,000 members.

Our seasonal staff play an integral role in ensuring that our visitors enjoy our extraordinary places. With the change to warmer temperatures, we experience an influx of visitors of all ages and backgrounds who want to explore and be inspired by our properties. Sandy beaches, wooded trails, cultural gardens, historic homes, community supported agriculture—there are many ways for visitors to discover and explore The Trustees, and just as many opportunities for seasonal employees to make each visitor’s experience special.

About The FARM Institute Farm Camp:

The FARM Institute is, a 160­acre teaching farm on the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, providing year-round, farm-based educational programs for families. Programs focus on farming, sustainability, nutrition, and land stewardship.

The Farm Institute’s Farm Camp seeks to create a safe, accessible, fun, and enriching educational environment for all campers. By incorporating STEM standard-based lessons with farm chores, projects, and games, our campers make real-life connections to what they learn in school while strengthening their connection to the food we eat and the land that sustain us.

Position Summary

Our Wee Farmers Teacher is responsible for development, implementation, and evaluation of farm-based educational programming during 10 weeks of summer programming. The Wee

Farmers group is a four-mornings-per-week parent and child program for 2-4 year olds. Educators are expected to model and impart The FARM Institute mission and values through example and engagement with their students, farm families, and farm visitors.

Duration of Employment and Required Hours

This is a part-time seasonal role. Our summer programming is 10 weeks in duration beginning June 26th, 2017, and ending Friday, September 1, 2017. Work hours are from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM Tuesday-Friday. The actual program runs from 9:30 to 11:00, Tuesday through Friday.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the well-being of self, campers, and fellow staff
• Design and implement curriculum based on food, farming, and resource management with support from The FARM Institute’s staff
• Plan daily age-appropriate activities and design weekly farm projects
• Lead plant and animal farm chores with children
• Maintain reflection and planning worksheets
• Meet periodically with the Education Manager to evaluate experience and performance
• Communicate with parents regarding questions and farm awareness

Note: Although The FARM Institute is a working farm, we unfortunately do not have staff housing available. Since rental properties on the island can be difficult to come by during the summer tourist season, TFI staff acts as liaisons to aid new hires in locating and securing summer rentals.

• A Bachelor’s degree in environmental or agricultural education, the sciences, education, or other relevant course of study is preferred, but not required
• Experience working as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, or informal educator with children ages 2-4
• Experience with and enjoy working with children in an outdoor setting
• Knowledge of or interest in farm-based education, food, and sustainability
• Skills in gardening, cooking, livestock handling, environmental education, fiber arts or carpentry are preferred, but not required.
• A familiarity with The FARM Institute and The Trustees of Reservations helpful

• Must be available for camp staff training week and all 10 weeks of camp
• A satisfactory criminal background check (CORI and SORI)
• CPR and Basic First Aid certifications required by June 1st, 2017
• Able and willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions
• Wee Farmers Educators must be at least 18 years old

Benefits and Pay

The Trustees offers competitive compensation, as well as the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.