Full-Time Position

Position Description
Under the supervision of the Director of Educational Programs and Partnerships, the Jones Valley Teaching Farm High School Instructor is responsible for developing and delivering food-based education using the Good School Food framework. The Good School Food framework connects students to food, farming, and culinary arts through standards-based learning experiences across all subject areas, including science, math, social studies, English language arts, health, and art. The High School Instructor bridges classroom instruction with hands-on experiences in both outdoor and indoor spaces at Jackson-Olin High School.

The High School Instructor will collaborate with Birmingham City School administrators and teachers at every grade level to implement in-school and after-school programming. Lessons that are developed and conducted will complement and expand what students are learning in the classroom and will provide additional experiential opportunities for students within the Academy of Horticulture at Jackson-Olin High School. Instructors are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Teaching Farm (both outdoor and indoor) spaces. They work alongside Farm and CEA Managers to maintain the appearance and integrity of the sites. This position blends teaching, crop management, and leadership development to cultivate curiosity, skills, and purpose in every student.

At the Center for Food Education, the Instructor will be expected to assist with camps and field trips for students visiting from across the state. All Instructors are expected to develop, manage, lead, and implement one or more of our key programs: in-school lessons, after-school clubs, camps, field trips, and/or any new initiatives. This work requires a high degree of professionalism and a collaborative spirit. A successful candidate must possess extraordinary interpersonal skills as well as strong management, organization, and communication skills.

Organization
Founded in 2002, JVTF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) located in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2012, JVTF established Good School Food (GSF), a food education model rooted in academic standards and implemented in partnership with Birmingham City Schools. In the GSF model, JVTF designs and builds extensive teaching farm sites where staff deliver programming that connects students to food, farming, and the culinary arts through in-school and after-school programming. Since 2012, JVTF has expanded the program to sixteen partner schools, including five in one distinct pre-K-12 feeder pattern in the Woodlawn community and another eight within the Jackson-Olin feeder pattern on the West Side. Learn more at jvtf.org.

Key Responsibilities
– Design and conduct standards-based lessons for students in grades 9th-12th that align with the Alabama Course of Study
– Collaborate with the Agriscience Teacher to provide lessons and experiences for students that align with Career & Technical Education (CTE) requirements
– Collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop relevant and rigorous lessons for high school programming
– Design and lead after-school programs for high school students
– Guide students in general maintenance of the Teaching Farm at Jackson-Olin High School with a specific focus on hydroponics
– Work collaboratively with Youth Pathways and Experiences Team to create opportunities to engage JVTF Interns at Jackson-Olin High School
– Work collaboratively with the CEA Manager and Farm Team to create a superior learning environment, maintaining a vibrant and productive space
– Create a safe, structured, and warm learning environment for all students
– Mentor individual students in and out of class, model respect and curiosity for learning, and encourage students’ interests and talents while maintaining healthy and appropriate boundaries with students
– Assist with instruction for camps and field trips
– Recruit students for camp and field trips
– Assist with recruiting students for High School Internship
– Meet weekly with the Education Team
– Maintain detailed farm and education records
– Work with the Education Program Manager to produce teaching and visual aids for standards-based lessons
– Provide written feedback on standards-based lessons to improve their quality and rigor over time
– Collaborate with the Impact Manager to document and maintain evaluative data

Please note this job description is not designed to provide a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Job responsibilities may change at any time without prior notice. New job responsibilities may be added as needed.

What We Look For
– Believer in the power of education and food
– The “Teaching Farm” part of JVTF is not just part of our name, but it is the heart of our mission, and we make hiring young people a priority. As an employee, mentoring and working alongside students and apprentices is a required and fundamental piece of our work.
– A commitment to social justice
– A positive and constructive attitude
– Must be able to take initiative and problem solve.  Must be a creative thinker.
– A love for learning
– The ability to hear, reflect upon, and implement feedback
– Able to communicate effectively with youth, co-workers, stakeholders, and families in a respectful and culturally competent manner via written and verbal communication.
– Able to work with a team but enjoys working independently
– Must be capable of participating in the physically demanding needs of gardening and landscape work
– Reliable transportation required
– Min 4 years experience in farming, youth development, and/or education (including intern and apprentice experience at Jones Valley Teaching Farm) OR Masters/BA/BS degree with a Teaching Credential

Duration​ ​and​ ​Compensation
This is a year-round, full-time position with a 3-month probation period. Competitive compensation package includes:
– Compensation Range $45k-50k
– 403(B) with employer matching
– Paid Health and Dental Individual benefits
– 22 Days of Paid Time Off
– End of year Winter Break
– Generous parental leave

How to Apply
To apply for this position, send your cover letter and resume to jobs@jvtf.org
Criminal background check and a valid driver’s license required.