Youth Programs Manager Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy

Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy (http://www.WLFarm.org) in Winchester, MA is seeking a Youth Programs Manager to oversee our popular youth education programs. This position is year round — full time in season, part time in winter — and includes benefits. For more information or to apply, email FarmEd@WLFarm.org.

The Youth Programs Manager (YPM) oversees all of Wright-Locke Farm’s mission-driven youth education programs (for toddlers up to age 14). This is an hourly, year-round position, with full-time hours (40) expected from April through October and part-time hours (20) expected from November
through March.

The YPM’s responsibilities include:
● Manage development, administration and facilitation youth programs, including but not limited
to our ongoing Spring/Fall After-School and Friday Morning Preschool programs, the April
Vacation Programs, Summer Programs, School Visits, Field Trips and Enrichment Programs.
o Initial one-on-one training with the Director of Education (DE) to learn about the farm,
youth education programs, and the short- and long-term responsibilities of the YPM
o Read farm education materials provided by the DE
● Development of youth programs
o Under the supervision and guidance of the DE, determine appropriate
themes and subjects for year-round programs (primarily spring, summer, and fall) for
children ages 4 – 14, with some seasonal programming for toddlers with caregivers
o Create seasonal program curriculum, including lessons and activity plans,
recipes, notes, and educational materials
o Work with the DE to hire and train seasonal education staff prior to the start of
spring, summer, and fall youth programs
● Facilitation of youth programs
o The YPM will oversee seasonal educators and provide leadership for
spring, summer, and fall youth programs, as well as non-registration based programs like
school visits and off-site enrichment programs
o Responsible for setting up before and cleaning up after each program
session
o Teach lessons and lead activities (includes modifying or adapting as necessary)
o Regular participation in youth garden maintenance throughout the growing
season (March – November)
o Track inventory and reorder education materials and supplies as needed
● Communication with seasonal staff, student volunteers, and caretakers
o Delegate appropriate tasks and duties to seasonal staff and student
volunteers before, during, and after program sessions
o Maintain positive relationships with seasonal staff and student volunteers
o Provide a positive customer service experience with parents/caretakers of
children participating in youth programs
o Email communications to caretakers including registration
information/confirmation, program preparation, weekly updates during sessions,
wrap-up, payment reminders, etc.
● Administration and Marketing tasks for Youth Programs
○ Maintain and organize participant records and registration materials (waivers,
waitlists, payments, receipts, etc.)
○ Create surveys and evaluations for staff and participant feedback and review
○ Assist with marketing materials and events for advertising Youth Programs (create
posters/flyers, website and social media announcements, attend Summer Expos,
etc.)
● Communication with the Director of Education
o Provide the DE with feedback about successful and unsuccessful lessons
and activities when appropriate
o Notify the DE of any known issues experienced during one or more
sessions (with children, parents, co-workers, or volunteers) or related to the YPM position
o Update the DE about seasonal staff and student volunteer performance
o Ensure compliance with all Board of Health requirements.
The Youth Programs Manager is expected to:
● Have a background in teaching and group facilitation, preferably in the areas of farming,
nature, healthy eating, or related subjects, and a strong desire to help create and teach similar
curriculum in an organic farm setting
● Have experience creating lesson plans
● Have some gardening experience
● Enjoy working with children ages 4 – 12
● Have a positive attitude, a team player and a confident leader
● Be able to adapt to changing environments and circumstances
● Work collaboratively and cooperatively with the farm staff and volunteers
● Be committed helping further the mission and goals of the farm
● Be comfortable working outdoors- rain or shine!
● Be comfortable working with/handling farm animals (no experience required)
● Be able to lift 50 lbs
● Have reliable housing and transportation
● Have a laptop computer that can be used for office-based farm education work
● Be willing to complete CORI and SORI background checks
● Pending emergencies and excused absences with advanced notice, the YPM must be able to
commit to working the planned 2019 youth program schedule. There is some flexibility in work
hours outside of programs, but candidates should anticipate working full-time hours on the farm
Monday – Friday, from April – October.

Compensation : $16/hr. plus health benefits and CPR Training