IDEA Public Schools Careers

Role Mission: At IDEA, our Child Nutrition Program (CNP) campus farms work within the larger Healthy Kids Here initiative dedicated to making IDEA Public Schools one of the healthiest school districts in the nation. CNP Farmers report directly to CNP Campus Farm Managers to support with farm educational programming and farm production. Educational programming includes coordinating with campus leaders on program approved curriculum, preparing lesson activities, instructing K-12 students through on-farm project-based learning, and supervising students during outdoor classroom instruction.  The CNP Farmer works with the CNP Campus Farm Manager in executing a four-season diversified farming system that includes cover cropping, crop rotation, orchard cultivation, native habitat maintenance, and an integrated pest management plan. Additionally, the CNP Farmer contributes to farm safety and efficiency by updating inventory, tracking farm data, and implementing all food safety protocols outlined in the Farm Food Safety Plan. CNP Farmers also complete administrative tasks required to support data logging, food safety protocols, and digital communications on a range of virtual platforms to maintain a high standard of program integrity, transparency, and collaboration.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Location:

This is a 100% on-site, campus-based role. Applicants must live in the same city as the campus to which they are applying.

Travel Expectations:

Overnight travel to outside regions is required for professional development opportunities on a semi-annual to quarterly basis.

Accountabilities:

• Facilitate Student Learning
  • Co-facilitate and, when needed, lead the implementation of agricultural education for students on the farm that enhances their core curriculum objectives  
  • Implement effective classroom management techniques to ensure student safety and engagement
  • Implement nutrition education that Increases student engagement in agriculture and the food system to promote a lifetime of healthy eating habits 
  • Supports collaboration with teachers to lead student tours and educational projects
  • Support with logging student educational hours by the end of every teaching week
  • Support with tracking student attendance for every class period
  • Coordinate with the CNP Farmer to plan a successful campus-led end of year certification ceremony

• Support Farm Production:
  • Adhere to production plan developed by the CNP Campus Farm Manager one year in advance based on IDEA menu requirements, and ensure weekly and monthly goals are met
  • Start 100% of crops on time via direct seeding or transplanting, to maintain consistent crop production from the first to the last day of school 
  • Align with CNP Campus Farm Manager to treat & log biological and environmental disorders impacting production plan goals effectively
  • Support with the harvesting, washing, processing, and delivery of produce to Cafeteria Managers on the farm campus as well as neighboring campuses when excess produce is available for distribution
  • Participate in regional workdays and mentorship opportunities to support the success of neighboring farms
  • Participate in field walks daily/weekly to develop assess, diagnose and collectively plan next steps in crop management and daily tasks
  • Implement effective weed management strategies to ensure a high aesthetic standard and consistent harvests throughout the school year
  • Conduct all hydroponic protocols effectively and efficiently to ensure operational management of machine is maintained.

• Uphold Farm Compliance
  • Support with logging food safety and harvest farm logs into tracking systems by set deadlines to fulfill audit requirements
  • Support with the completion of “Beginning of Year” farm tasks to ensure the farm is operationally safe for IDEA scholars by the first day of school each year.
  • Comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Harmonized operation audit requirements to meet a minimum 90% score each quarter
  • Support with updating of physical inventories for all materials and equipment each month.
  • Report maintenance and safety issues on the farm to the CNP Farmer as soon as they are identified to ensure a safe working and learning environment.
  • Uphold all operational mechanisms in place alongside your direct manager.

• Support Financial Stewardship
  • Utilize consumables such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides conscientiously and report the need for restocking or replacement of depleted supplies.
  • Provide support for the oversight and completion of contracted projects on the farm
  • Receive deliveries and submit all invoices to CNP Farmer to ensure timely vendor payment.
  • Collaborate with the planning of in-ground farm expansion to continuously enhance the student farm educational experience 
  • Communicate new farm needs as they surface and support with researching solutions when directed

• Continuously seek feedback as an essential part of IDEA’s culture, taking action to determine how it can best be used to improve our program and the CNP Farmer role.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with youth education and communicating with students   
• Comprehension of irrigation systems, and hydroponic practices   
• Understands vegetable production and general horticulture   
• Familiarity with Integrated Pest Management   
• Knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, and processes used in farming   
• Understanding of safety and sanitation practices involved with food production   
• Can handle stress well to meet deadlines   
• Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.   
• Computer literacy and ability to navigate Microsoft Office Suite
• Able to follow verbal and written direction and ask for clarification as needed   
• Demonstrate problem solving, adaptability and flexibility; can reprioritize workload due to inclement weather, schedule changes, and any other potential setback 

Required Experience and Certifications:

High School Diploma or GED

1 year experience in horticulture, farming, or gardening

Reliable transportation

Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English

Preferred Experience and Certifications:

Certification in Horticulture, Agriculture, Ecology, or a related field

1 year experience teaching or working with pre-K through 12th grade students

Knowledge of sustainable horticulture, agriculture, and hydroponic systems

Ability to speak and understand Spanish

Physical Requirements:  

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend or work on hands and knees for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area. 
• Must be able to work in an outdoor space, walk on uneven ground, crawl, or move about on hands and knees. 
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 50 pounds regularly 
• Physical ability to work around small children including sitting, standing, running. 
• Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor environments, including in times of excessive heat or cold 

Individual Goals: 

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting the team to reach the following ambitious goals: 

• Complete student education hours target by June 30th
• Meet an average score of 90% or higher on GAP harmonized and Quality Operations Audits each quarter
• Facilitate three farm outreach events by June 30th
• Meet annual farm production diversity target by June 30th
• Expend 95% +/-5% of the farm operating budget by June 30th

Commitment to Diversity and Core Values:

To achieve our mission of 100% College For All, IDEA commits to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist organization, where we honor and include the voices, values, and beliefs of all our students, staff, alumni, families, and community members. Click here to learn about IDEA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Anti-Racist and Anti-Bias commitment. 

Our Core Values are:

We Act with Integrity: We put the best interests of the IDEA Team & Family—and most importantly our students—at the forefront of all our decisions and actions, taking personal responsibility to model the honest and ethical behavior we want our students and each other to demonstrate every day.

We Build Team & Family: We foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity by treating every member of the IDEA Team & Family—our students, staff, families, and community—with compassion, respect, and humility. We maximize our individual best efforts through collaboration and support of each other in the focused pursuit of our collective mission.

We Achieve Academic Excellence: We believe ensuring college success for 100% of our students is the best way to help them succeed in life and in seeing obstacles they face as opportunities for learning and growth. Every member of the IDEA Team & Family works together to ensure each student on every campus and in every classroom receives a high-quality education.

We Deliver Results: We set ambitious goals, hold ourselves and each other accountable for achieving results, and believe that our students will succeed to and through college.  Our results show what’s possible when the adults in the system get it right and represent the collective effort and focus of the entire IDEA Team & Family.

We Ensure Equity: We set high expectations and share compassion and empathy for every member of the IDEA Team & Family. We differentiate our support and resources, proactively address racism and discrimination, and advocate alongside our students and staff to empower them with the opportunities to succeed and ensure the respect they deserve.

We Bring Joy: We create a positive, uplifting, and joyful environment for every member of the IDEA Team & Family, every single day. We operate with a sense of optimism, and our traditions celebrate learning, growth, and the accomplishments of our students, staff, and community.

We Sweat the Small Stuff: We embrace that achieving excellence lies in paying attention to and carrying out the details—the ‘small stuff’—that go into effective execution and positive implementation. Every step of the way, the IDEA Team & Family prioritizes actions contributing to our mission of College for All.

What We Offer:

• Compensation & Benefits: Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $18.49 and $23.11, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.
• Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values