Education Associate: Part-time

About Shalom Farms Shalom Farms is a nonprofit, food justice organization. We believe that everyone deserves equitable access to nourishing food and meaningful opportunities to grow, choose, cook and enjoy that food. We grow and distribute fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food across the Richmond region while working to confront the systemic barriers that create food insecurity. On our two Certified Naturally Grown farms, in Northside Richmond and Powhatan County, we work with thousands of volunteers each year to produce more than 100,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, shared through Mobile Markets, Produce Rx (PRx), and community partnerships. About the Position The Education Associate will be primarily responsible for leading field trips for kids of all ages at our Northside and Powhatan farm sites. Field trip programming connects food and farming to justice, health, and community, covering environmental and social science topics that complement Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs). The Education Associate will also give farm tours for volunteers and visitors of all ages and assist with other educational programming. Additionally, they will regularly be responsible for guiding volunteers in seasonal farm work. When not doing work related to education or volunteer management, this person will do farm work and produce distribution within our wider programs team, email communications and data entry related to student and volunteer visitation, and other cross-departmental work as assigned. This position will report to the Education Lead for overall role supervision and to the Northside or Powhatan Farm Lead for coordination when on that site. Key Areas of Responsibility Education Programming Lead engaging, age-appropriate education programming that connects students, visitors, and volunteers to food, farming, social justice, and environmental science. Volunteer Management Guide and work alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups in completion of daily farm tasks. Cross-Departmental and Other Supervisor check-ins, staff meetings, cross-departmental opportunities, and other duties as assigned. Detail Education Programming Lead field trips for students of all ages at Shalom Farms' Northside and Powhatan farm sites. Facilitate programming that covers environmental and social science topics aligned with Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOLs) Adapt facilitation style and content to meet the needs of diverse groups across age, background, and learning level. Prepare materials and set up learning environments before each field trip; clean up and reset afterward. Organize and maintain spaces and materials used by students. Give farm tours to visitors and volunteers that reflect Shalom Farms' values and spark curiosity about food justice and sustainable agriculture. Collaborate on educational programming that builds community, encourages advocacy, and fosters the long term growth and development of our volunteers. Assist with off-farm outreach and engagement programming as a tool for both education and volunteer recruitment Assist with the evaluation of the student experience at the farm. Contribute to and participate in morning planning meetings. Attend and contribute to monthly Education & Engagement team meetings. Accurately and promptly record any on-farm safety incidents. Volunteer Management Guide and work alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups in completion of daily farm tasks, providing clear instruction and a welcoming experience. Determine appropriate tasks based on volunteer age, skill level, group size, etc. and adapt or modify those tasks as needed in order to provide an accessible experience to all volunteers. Uphold Shalom Farms’ values and participate in building a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth and humility. Assist with the organization and maintenance of farm equipment and outbuildings Cross Departmental and Other Contribute to and participate in relevant staff meetings, committee meetings, trainings, etc. Collaborate with the Education Lead on programmatic changes and special projects in line with the strategic plan Participate in general farm work and packing barn duties as assigned Maintain regular 1:1 meetings with the Education Lead Support data entry and record-keeping for field trips and volunteer programming. Assist with email communications related to student and volunteer visitation, as needed Assist with the distribution of produce at mobile markets and join other cross-departmental opportunities as needed Work both Shalom Farms special events Other duties as assigned. Candidate Qualities Commitment to racial equity and to Shalom Farms' values: justice, collaboration, integrity, respect, and sustainability. Enjoys building relationships with volunteers, visitors, and neighbors Enjoys working with both children and adults. Enjoys educating about food justice, environmental science, and sustainable agriculture. Possesses strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Experience guiding a group, crew, or project. Comfortable guiding groups of students, volunteers, or visitors. Stays flexible and organized when plans change. Excellent organizational skills, time management and attention to detail. Comfortable with basic office tasks and Google Workspace, or willing to learn quickly on the job. Physical Demands and Work Environment The essential functions of this role include the following, with or without reasonable accommodation: Lifting and carrying program materials, tools, and produce weighing up to 50 lbs Standing, walking on uneven ground, bending, and kneeling while guiding groups for extended periods Working outdoors with students in heat, cold, rain, and sun, with exposure to dust, pollen, and insects If you need an accommodation to apply or to do this work, contact hr@shalomfarms.org. Must Have Experience working with kids outdoors (camps, coaching, youth programs, or similar). Experience building relationships with people across differences in race, culture, age, class, faith, and place. Nice to Have Experience (paid, volunteer, or lived) in education, volunteer management, agriculture, social work, or community work. Experience guiding volunteers or groups. Experience in farming, gardening, teaching, organizing, or similar work, paid or unpaid. Spanish language skills. Compensation & Benefits This is a seasonal, contracted, part-time position with benefits and pay provided for the duration of the contract. You will be paid semi-monthly based on an hourly wage of $21 per hour. Paid leave and paid holidays will be provided for the duration of the contract. A vacation blackout for the months of May and October is required for the Education Team, but a paid full week off in the summer is provided. Plus lots of free farm produce! The proposed contract duration is 800 hours from March 1st through November 5th, 2027, averaging 22 hours of work per week. Hours and scheduling may shift seasonally, with fluctuating duties throughout the year. The ideal candidate would be able to work the following schedule: Mon 8am-4:30pm, Tues-Thurs 8am-12:30pm. On occasion, they may be asked to work evenings and weekend hours, including shifts for organization-wide events, covering for other staff, and community outreach. Provided both parties agree, there will be an option to review and renew this contract at the end of each year. To Apply To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 references to hr@shalomfarms.org with “Education Associate: Part-time” in the subject line. First review of applications begins November 20. Applications accepted until the position is filled. You don't need to meet every qualification to apply. If this work speaks to you and you bring related experience, whether paid, volunteer, or lived, we encourage you to apply. For more information, feel free to email, visit our website www.shalomfarms.org , or find us