Fields: agriculture, sustainability, education, youth, food justice
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
About the Organization: Common Ground is a center for environmental learning and leadership in New Haven, Connecticut, dedicated to a more socially and environmentally sustainable society. Farm meets forest meets city on Common Ground’s 20 acre campus at the base of West Rock Ridge. Common Ground delivers three core programs on site and in the community: our Charter High School, Environmental Education Center and Urban Farm.
About the Position: The Food Justice Education Coordinator plays an important role in supporting educational projects involving the farm, requiring strong skills in leading groups of youth and adults in food justice, cooking and farm based activities. Their work will greatly contribute to an overall goal of building an integrated whole organization where people understand, contribute to, and collaborate in each others’ work across the organization.
This is a new position and involves intensive curriculum and program development and includes room for innovation and growth. This is a full time, year-round position with some seasonal variation. The hours and days required by this job vary with the season and the cycles of work on the farm and at the school. Tuesday-Saturday schedule is preferred in the Spring, Summer and Fall to support youth and other community programming. Some evenings and weekends may also be required. We are able to be flexible and can adjust to make this a part-time, hourly position for the right candidate.
Special Requirements/Qualifications:
- Passion for working for an organization that is committed to social justice, the dismantling of systems of oppression, and creating a just, equitable, and inclusive culture.
- Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, food systems and food justice.
- Comfort and/or experience cooking: in a certified kitchen, with farm to table education, and in class demonstrations.
- Skills in youth development, leadership development and/or helping young people grow into agents of change. Experience working directly with racially and economically diverse HS aged young people.
- Ability to facilitate different types of programs such as an afterschool club, HS internship, and working with classroom teachers. Familiarity with HS curriculum development and/or Popular Education theories of learning and/or implementing outdoor or garden-based education.
- Strong critical thinking, problem solving skills, and ability to work independently. Excellent communication and interest in collaboration.
- Flexibility regarding the often changing needs and schedules of the school and farm. Willingness to work outside in all kinds of weather. Ability to lift 50lbs.
- Experience working on a farm, urban garden or certified kitchen desired
- Willingness to work with small livestock (poultry, goats and sheep) desired
- Spanish Speaking desired
- Drivers License or willingness to get one desired
- ServSafe Certification desired
Estimated Salary: $34,000/year, plus benefits (3 Weeks Vacation, 8 Sick Days, 3 Personal Days; Medical, Dental, HSA plan; Retirement Plan, Life Insurance)
Deadline: Until filled; interviews will begin in mid-January.
Apply Here:
Common Ground
Entry Level Jobs for Social Impact 