Hiring: Education Manager – Grow Food Northampton
Education Manager
https://www.growfoodnorthampton.org/about/positions/
Job Type and Schedule: Part-time; 30 hours per week; hybrid, with a flexible schedule; may
include occasional weekend hours.
Compensation and Benefits: $22 – $25/hour depending on experience; benefits include paid
vacation; 401(k) matched up to 4%; and local food, technology, and professional development
stipends.
To apply: Please send an email with title “Education Manager Position” with a resume and cover
letter to Michael Skillicorn, Associate Director, to: michael@growfoodnorthampton.org; please
have three references available upon request.
Deadline: Please apply by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023.
About Grow Food Northampton
Grow Food Northampton (GFN) is a food justice organization providing food and land access to
all members of our community in Northampton, MA. GFN owns and stewards a 121-acre
Community Farm that leases land to ten farms that practice sustainable agriculture, and
manages a 320-plot Organic Community Garden. We operate vibrant downtown farmers
markets; grow and purchase local produce for distribution to community members experiencing
food insecurity; educate children and adults about the local food system through classroom and
farm-based workshops; and manage food access initiatives that invite people of all incomes into
the local food movement. Founded in 2010, Grow Food Northampton is rooted in values of
racial, economic, and environmental justice, and serves the city of Northampton and nearby
communities with four full-time and eight part-time staff members, and interns and volunteers.
Position Description
Grow Food Northampton seeks a dynamic, creative, and collaborative Education Manager to
join our team. The mission of our education program is to mobilize and facilitate community
members to exchange knowledge about a just local food and farming system. The aim of our
educational work is to grow community members’ critical thinking and knowledge about food
and farming systems and food justice, encourage participation in the local food system, and
cultivate the next generation of local food justice champions.
The Education Manager will draw from our history of education for youth and adults, our
partnership with the Northampton Public Schools, and our Community Farm as a living
laboratory, to create and implement an education program framework and corresponding
multi-modal curricula for learners of all ages. Examples of program activities include
developing a food systems internship for middle and high school students, farm field trips for
elementary school students, and farm-based workshops for adult learners. Equitable access to
our education programming is a deeply held value.
We are seeking a self-starter and decision maker to lead the education program, and an
experienced and creative educator with extensive background in collaborating with internal
and external partners. We offer a flexible and trusting work environment.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited, to:
● Guiding the direction and vision of GFN’s local food system education programs, and
developing a cohesive framework and curricula for our education programming based
on our history and values, including the deepening of curricula to include racial justice
perspective and analysis. Curricular topics might include:
o Growing and eating nutritious, sustainably-grown food
o Cultural aspects of food and Indigenous foodways
o Responsible stewardship of the land
o The abolitionist history of the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm
o The history and current state of the U.S. food system including Indigenous land
dispossession, Black enslavement and land dispossession, and the exploitation of
agricultural workers
o The role of industrial agriculture in the food system and it’s related harms
● Collaborating with the Northampton Public Schools at the student, teacher, and
administrative levels to develop and coordinate internships, field trips, and other
programming
● Conducting hands-on farm field trips to elementary school classes, and serving as
point person for internships with middle- and high-school students
● Building relationships with schools, organizations, colleges, and other community
stakeholders to develop educational partnerships
● Collaborating with internal and external staff, advisors, and other existing partners to
develop and implement educational offerings for learners of all ages
● Leading an exploration into offering after-school, vacation, and summer programming
● Developing and tracking education program budget in collaboration with GFN’s
Associate Director
● Tracking program participation and program data; preparing program reports
● Supporting the development of grant applications and other funding opportunities for
educational programming
General responsibilities include, but are not limited, to:
● Serving as an integral member of the Grow Food Northampton team
● Participating in weekly staff meetings, trainings, and other staff activities
● Participating in creating a positive organizational climate that fosters employee
well-being
● Ensuring the intentional prioritization and centering of economic and racial justice in
our work and practices
● Other duties as agreed upon by the Education Manager and Associate Director
Qualifications
● Passion about food and farming justice, sustainability, and civic participation in the local
food system
● 2+ years developing and sourcing curricula and education programs
● 3+ years educating youth and/or adults, particularly through hands-on experiences
● Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
● Strong communication skills
● Highly collaborative work style
● Enthusiasm about participating in regular anti-racism training and the development of a
racial justice-focused workspace
● Enthusiasm for the mission, goals, and purposes of the organization
● Ability to meet physical requirements of the position, including sitting or standing at a
desk and in outdoor educational settings for long periods, keyboarding, viewing screens,
walking on rough terrain on the Community Farm, bending, and safely lifting 20 pounds
Desired experience:
● Navigating public school systems at the student, teacher, and administrative levels
● A deep understanding of food systems is not required for this position, though an
interest in and experience with food and farming systems (nutrition and growing,
selling, preparing, and eating food) is desired.
● Technology fluency and capacity to master new platforms; comfort with Mac OS, Google
Suite, and social media
● Spanish language speaker a plus
If you require accommodation when navigating the application process, please contact:
michael@growfoodnorthampton.org
Grow Food Northampton is a food and farming justice organization. This means that we are committed to identifying and dismantling systemic forms of oppression in the food system. Racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups experience food insecurity in disproportionate numbers, but are significantly under-represented in food system organizations. We believe that those most affected by an issue must have access to paid positions in organizations tasked with challenging food insecurity. Grow Food Northampton strives to create a workplace that reflects a diversity of identities and lived experiences. Grow Food Northampton is an equal opportunity provider and employer. People of all races, colors, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, national origins, lived experiences, and ability, are encouraged to apply.
