Continuing and Distance Education at The University of Vermont is seeking to fill a position, Program Coordinator, for the Farmer Training Program, a six-month training program for aspiring farmers and food systems advocates. The Program Coordinator will receive daily supervision and guidance from the Catamount Farm Manager with administrative oversight from the Director of the Farmer Training Program. The Program Coordinator will help ensure that the education goals of the program are being met, including daily leadership of the program, assisting in field instruction and supervision of the Farm Assistants, while simultaneously meeting production demands of the farm.
The Program Coordinator job duties will include:
- Teaching & Program Coordination
- Provide daily leadership and organization for program; mentor, educate and act as a role model to cohort of adult students
- Develop and teach hands-on lessons at the growing sites; implement and augment curriculum; Work with Catamount Farm Manager to schedule on-farm demonstrations and lessons related to field production
- Help students to make connections between the lessons learned on rotations, the growing site, field trips, and classes
- Create and administer bi-weekly assessments for the students
- Research, coordinate and attend field trips to area farms
- Setup, attend and serve as program point person for Wednesday classes
- Assist in grass roots marketing plan by attending conferences and representing the program to the public
- Supervise the Farm Assistants and coordinate their role as instructors
- Farming
- In collaboration with Catamount Farm Manager, assist in all aspects of field production on the 5 acre farm site and ¾ acre garden site, including propagation, planting, tractor work, weeding, harvesting, and fertility management
- Assist in management of pest, disease, and weed pressure on the sites, with a focus on educating the students
- Teach lessons on essential farming skills and concepts
- Lead Farmer Training students in field work, providing instruction and guidance throughout
- Understand and teach harvesting techniques for the weekly markets; ensure the students are producing high quality produce for all markets
Successful Candidate will have:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Ability to lift 50 pounds regularly and perform physically demanding work
- At least two seasons of experience working on a diverse vegetable farm
- Experience teaching in a experiential learning environment
- Bachelor’s degree in related field
- Ability to multi-task and creatively problem solve
- Ability to meet the demands of a commercial vegetable operation, while simultaneously engaging and instructing the students through every aspect of the production system
- Possess a familiarity with tractors, irrigation systems, pest and weed management, as well as have broad knowledge of organic production methods
- Effective interpersonal, communication and project planning skills
- Strong sense of punctuality and dependability
- Ability to delegate tasks and effectively instruct adult learners
- Previous supervisory experience is highly desirable
This is a seasonal position, requiring 40 hours per week from March 17 to November 14, 2014. As a temporary seasonal position, UVM employee benefits are not available for this position. To apply, email, fax or mail cover letter, resume and list of at least three references to:
Noёl McCann
Continuing and Distance Education University of Vermont
460 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Fax: (802) 656-1347
Email: noel.mccann@uvm.edu
Application deadline is January 3, 2014
The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Applications from women, veterans and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged.
