Hiring: Cook / Teacher – The Farm School

Cook Teacher 

About Us:

The Farm School (TFS), founded in 1987, is committed to its mission of connecting people to the land. Thirty-five years in, we’re listening to the land and to one another to deepen our response to the earth and its people’s yearning. The Farm School is a generous community of thoughtful educators, earth workers, animal tenders, forest stewards, cooks, and playful leaders. Our Program For Visiting Schools (PVS) along with our Summer Programming and Home School Cooperative (The Chicken Coop School) welcomes over 1500 youth and their teachers each year. Seeded within our youth programming is enough bounty – vegetables, fruit, eggs, milk, meat and more –  to feed ourselves and offer these gifts to our connected communities. We’re strengthening our relationships and are committed to an ecology of liberation and mutualism.

About the Job:

The Farm School is looking for an experienced cook to join our Nourishment Team as a Cook/Teacher. The Nourishment Team consists of a Kitchen Coordinator and Cook Teachers, all of whom work closely with our Farmer Teachers to give an authentic farm and kitchen experience to visiting students while feeding our community.

The Cook Teachers empower small groups of students in preparing various components of each meal, as well engaging in independent prep, dishwashing, organizational tasks and menu planning. Our menu is highly variable based on seasonal availability. Opportunities for exploring other farm work and play areas are available- and exploration of this sort is encouraged.

Qualities We’re Looking for:

• Love of cooking, at least 1 year professional cooking experience
• Experience cooking for large groups of people with diverse dietary needs
• Ability to work collaboratively with youth in ways that exhibit respect, dependability and recognition of their value, autonomy and personhood
• Ability to independently manage time and details of responsibilities consistently
• Past organizational and/or personal work in areas that uplift racial equity and liberatory practices
• Desire to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to work within a fluid schedule with many transitions
• Patient and clear communicator
• Able to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Able to work in the cold (specifically our walk-in freezer space)

Responsibilities: 

• Organize your work area, plans and programs in ways that uplift TFS mission
• Participate in our striving for consensus based decision making and distributed leadership culture, including staff meetings and facilitation rotation.
• Contribute to menu planning, preparation and service for youth programming, up to 3 meals per day (5 days per week) plus snacks
• Hold an awareness of dietary and allergy related needs and protocols for staff and visiting youth/ adults. Ensure dietary needs are met throughout all stages of the food preparation and serving process
• Connect with youth and visiting teachers, be a team player, build relationships that engage youth in the fun, joy and relaxation possible on the farm
• Participate in programmatic activities including options, class, chores, variety shows, campfires, dish clean-up, evening activities, community meetings and opening and closing circles.
• Work to keep all kitchen spaces clean and organized (including walk-in freezer), receive food orders,
• Follow all health code and Covid protocols expressed by TFS
• Participate in kitchen specific upkeep, staff meals  and general farm work during non-program times

Hours: Full time, year round position. Hours vary during year round school and summer programming, but will average out over the course of a year to around 45 hours a week. Mostly Monday – Friday, with limited weekend fundraising events + some occasional weekend cooking events with additional pay. Given the nature of farming, when all-hands-on-deck scenarios arise (emergencies, seasonal tasks like hay and fundraising support etc.) thet may require your assistance – likewise folks will show up for kitchen needs that fall into this category).

Compensation: $38,000 – $45,000 (based on experience) + housing as it is available, health insurance (no dental), 6 weeks paid vacation, simple IRA w/ 2% annual contribution by TFS + farm fresh veggies, meat and eggs.

To apply please send a cover letter, resume and references to jobs@farmschool.org with Cook Teacher and your last name in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We serve diverse communities of students and we are striving to develop a staff that reflects that. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply to our open positions. The Farm School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in any of its school administered policies or programs.