PROGRAM MENTOR / GARDEN CARETAKER

Poco Farm is looking for one or more passionate Program Mentor/Garden Caretakers to join our team.  The primary role of this position is to assist with the free inquiry-based learning programs for children of all ages on our four-acre urban regenerative farm. Our mission is to create a culture of ecological inquiry that reconnects all humans to the wholeness of life on our planet, in the community, and within ourselves. To help actualize this vision, Poco Farm mentors help facilitate exploration and hands-on learning experiences for field trips, after school programs, summer camps and monthly “family on the farm” days. Children work with plants in the garden and orchard, learn about our goats and chickens, cook meals together, explore their interests at the farm, build community and harvest for Ojai USD, HELP of Ojai and other nutrition assistance programs. This role also helps take care of the garden, prepares learning materials, creates new activity stations, shares clean up responsibilities, keeps the farm organized and other tasks to support the overall outdoor learning environment. Programs are held Monday through Friday (see preferred availability below). We work with all the Ojai Valley public schools and many of the private schools/ homeschooling programs. The homeroom teachers determine how often their group will visit the farm, from once a year to once a week depending on their availability and Poco’s schedule. Our emergent curriculum is fluid, led by the interests of the learners, the needs of the plants and animals, and the spontaneous magic of nature’s flow on the farm. This team member will collaborate to make learning plans for each group at weekly meetings. We keep our learner-to-mentor ratio as low as we can so that we can explore the farm at a slow pace and serve each learner’s individual needs. In every decision, our team tries to center community building, social-emotional learning and honor that spark of a child’s interest that sets their learning path alight.

The right person for this job loves learning with/from children in a collaborative and creative workplace. They're ready to release aspects of a traditional classroom and explore alternative ways of learning together that honor the innate self-knowing, curiosity and passions of all learners. Our mentors feel comfortable leading groups of children of all ages (preschool to 12th grade) in situations that are new to them, managing their different needs and interests, helping them in moments of discomfort or discord, and seeing potential conflict as opportunities for growth and exploration. They are wonderful at listening to people of all ages and setting clear and compassionate boundaries. This position requires the ability to hustle and be highly efficient, and to slow their pacing to that of a young toddler. They are skilled at redirecting when needed, asking questions, keeping curiosity and kindness in the forefront and creating and holding a safe space for all visitors. They’re happy working outside all day in heat, cold, and even rain, and would like to have some garden work in their life. Working in the garden is an important part of this role. This position requires 2+ years of experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds. Bilinguality in English and Spanish is highly preferred, interest in regenerative food production is a requirement, healthy relationship with ego is nice, experience with inquiry-based or child-led learning would be great. CPR, first aid, and Ojai USD trainings will be required after employment. 

Employment Status: Part-time position(s)- more than one position may be available based on candidates’ availabilities. 

Time and Schedule Commitment: 10-25 hrs/wk, Monday - Friday mornings and/or afternoons and occasional weekends for special events. 

Compensation: $35/hr, health and wellness stipend and sick pay. 

Applications due July 6th, position begins early August (pending fingerprinting and TB clearance requirements for OUSD).

To apply please email your cover letter and resume to info@pocofarm.com. 

Your cover letter should include the following: 

-your connection to the mission of Poco Farm

-short description of your most recent teaching/mentoring experience 

-examples of your experience working with community and collaboration skills 

-your experience with garden work/food production (weeding, transplanting, turning beds, irrigating, etc.)

-any other skills that you feel will support the mission of the farm

-minimum and maximum number of hours you would want, and the days and times of the week that you are available