Temporary Farm Education Coordinator

Temporary Farm Education Coordinator

RHI is seeking a Farm Education Coordinator to oversee youth education across two farm sites: the 2.75 acre Columbia Street Farm and the 1.1 acre Wolcott Street Farm. The Coordinator develops and leads hands-on programming for youth aged 14-18. The majority of the time is focused on serving as both a mentor, educator, and supervisor to the Youth Farmers teen apprenticeship. The position will serve as director supervisor to 10 youth farmers. The Coordinator will join the team mid-season and will be provided an existing proposed curriculum for the remainder of the contracted period and an evaluation strategy for the program. In addition, the Coordinator is responsible for supporting maintenance of education-focused beds on the farms, and occasionally leading volunteer groups.

1. Engagement Overview

Title: Temporary Farm Education Coordinator

Type: Short-Term Contract

Timeframe: July 1 2026 – November 21st 2026

Hours/Schedule: 30 hours/week (aligned to program schedule; includes some evenings and weekends)

Context:

This engagement is needed to support continuity of youth farm education programming during a mid-season staffing transition. The consultant will step into an active program with an existing curriculum and evaluation framework to ensure uninterrupted delivery of youth programming.

2. Purpose of Engagement

• Ensure continuity of farm-based youth programming
• Provide interim coordination, facilitation, and structure for youth farmers programming
• Support youth participants through consistent mentorship, skill-building, and program delivery
• Maintain quality and consistency of curriculum implementation during transition period
• Support documentation and program insights to inform future staffing and program design

Additional notes:

• The contractor will build on an existing curriculum and evaluation plan rather than developing a program from scratch.

3. Scope of Work

Program Facilitation & Coverage

• Facilitate hands-on farm education programming for youth ages 14–18 across two farm sites
• Lead regular Youth Farmer apprenticeship sessions (primarily teen participants), including skill-building and youth development activities
• Implement and adapt existing curriculum covering topics such as agriculture, botany, composting, food systems, and identity in farming
• Engage youth participants in farm-based activities including seeding, planting, harvesting, composting, and maintenance tasks
• Lead after-school and weekend sessions, including summer and fall program schedules
• Occasionally facilitate volunteer groups and support community-facing farm programming

Team Support & Coordination

• Coordinate communication with youth participants and program staff
• Provide structure and guidance to youth participants during program sessions
• Collaborate with internal team members on scheduling, program planning, and event support
• Support coordination of off-site trips, workshops, and partner engagements

Assessment & Restructuring Support

• Observe program implementation and participant engagement
• Identify opportunities for strengthening curriculum delivery and program structure
• Provide input on youth engagement strategies and program operations
• Share insights on balancing educational programming within a production farm environment

Documentation & Transition

• Maintain accurate program records, attendance, and participant data
• Document curriculum adjustments, facilitation approaches, and workflows
• Support knowledge transfer for future staff or facilitators
• Contribute to final documentation summarizing program implementation and recommendations

4. Deliverables

• Weekly check-ins with supervisor
• Updated or annotated curriculum materials reflecting adaptations made during facilitation
• Documentation of program workflows, session structures, and facilitation practice

5. Ideal Profile

What type of experience/background are we looking for?

• 1-3 years experience working with youth in an outdoor setting;
• 1-2 years in urban growing, vegetable production, or gardening;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues towards shared goals;
• Versed in anti-oppression trainings and inquiry-based education;
• Experience working outside, in all types of weather.
• Organized, detail-oriented - sets strong example for staff, volunteers, and youth;
• Ability to work collaboratively with those from various racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds;
• Able to balance being an educator, mentor, and supervisor for youth staff; understanding the unique
• opportunities and challenges of running educational programs within the context of a production-oriented farm;
• Comfortable using Google Drive;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Commitment to social justice;
• Able to lift up to 25 pounds;
• Familiar with the Red Hook community as well as NYC urban agriculture community.

6. Working Conditions

• The Red Hook Farms work environment is outdoors. The Temporary Farm Education Coordinator must be able to work in inclement weather.
• The temporary Farm Education Coordinator must be able to work Wednesday - Saturday schedule through the contracted timeframe, as well as lift up to 25 pounds;
• While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of the job the employee will be required to operate various farm equipment as well as a computer and other office equipment.
• This job is based on-site at Red Hook Farms in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The ideal candidate will either be a resident of Red Hook or one of its neighboring communities or will be within reasonable commuting distance to Red Hook Farms.

7. Reporting & Coordination

Reports to: Assistant Director, Red Hook FarmsWorks closely with: All Farm Team membersCheck-in cadence: Weekly

8. Logistics & Compensation

Engagement type: Independent contractor

Compensation: $34/hr

Location: On-site at Red Hook Farms (Brooklyn, NY)

Schedule expectations:

• Summer: Wednesday (planning/admin), Thursday–Saturday (program delivery)
• Fall: Wednesday–Thursday (afternoon/evening youth sessions), Friday (daytime programming/volunteers), Saturday (program delivery)
• Includes evenings and weekends