FARM + EDUCATION MANAGER

Oko Farms is seeking a Farm and Education Manager to support the Director with  Oko Farms’ aquaponics farming and educational programs. They will work side by side with the director to plan, manage and implement Oko Farms’ various programs and activities at our Bushwick and East Flatbush sites.

Compensation: $70,000

Classification: Full time

Point Person: Director & Lead Farmer (Yemi Amu), Oko Farms Board

Locations: Williamsburg and East Flatbush

Other Employment Details: Position is subject to a 3-month probationary period

What You’ll Do (Core Responsibilities):

Assist with the daily operations of both the outdoor aquaponics farm in Bushwick and the greenhouse aquaponics system in Flatbush. You will also help to coordinate and implement all public-facing programs such as farm tours, classes, workshops, and events.

This is a public-facing role, with interaction with Oko Farms’ team members, community members and visitors from around the world. It is also a role that involves working collaboratively with Oko Farms Founder and Director.

The  Farm and Education Manager should be personable, diligent, organized, and an excellent communicator. The ideal candidate:

  • Demonstrates good judgment and helps keep Oko Farms’ culture of respect and inclusion;

  • Takes pride in being organized and is comfortable with multi-tasking

  • Demonstrates  initiative in engaging the public

  • Able to work a Tuesday-Saturday schedule

  • Has experience working with both youth and adults; and familiar with the popular education model 

  • Is able to work independently and collaboratively with other team members

  • Is organized and professional, responds to emails in a timely fashion, can navigate Google Drive, record and enter data into spreadsheets, etc.

  • Is committed to administrative task follow-through including; email response, google drive maintenance, organized spreadsheets, and other relevant data

Key Responsibilities:

  • Work alongside the farm director  in crop planning, rotation, propagation, and cultivation

  • Harvest, wash, and pack vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers for distribution and value add production

  • Support with record keeping and data collection (e.g. update planting logs, water quality parameters, fish feeding and research data etc).

  • Support with maintenance of farm infrastructure 

  • Support with the facilitation of farm tours and educational workshops

  • Communicate with participants before and after each workshop and/or tour

  • Support the management of interns on all field duties, farm practices and research. 

  • Update organizations calendar for workshops, tours, external programs, events, etc. and ensure all team members have access to relevant information.

  • Support  marketing and communications materials to ensure all assets are prepared well in advance of relevant programming.

  • Manage produce, apothecary, and merch  sales, including  inventory, shipping, and communication with clients

  • Oversee the set-up and breakdown of all workshops and events.

  • Produce marketing and communications material for produce, apothecary, and Oko merch

Ideal Candidate (Competencies):

  • Is familiar with the basics of aquaponics and humane fish management; 

  • Prior experience working in food justice, community gardening, agriculture, and/or horticulture - basic plumbing and carpentry skills are a plus

  • Perform physical activities needed for farming, including stooping, kneeling, crouching, squatting, walking, and standing for extended periods

  • Lift and move up to 50 lbs

  • Passion for urban agriculture, food justice, food sovereignty, and environmental stewardship

  • Has undergone training in organic or low-input vegetable production, and has at least 2 seasons of relevant experience with organic production farming (or equivalent)

  • Ability to follow an annual crop plan and maintain farm records

  • Familiar with Afro-indigenous foods and regenerative farming  practices

  • Ability to work outdoors in all conditions, including heat, cold, and  rain, early in the day (working outdoors is not required when hazardous to human health and safety)

  • Collaborative approach to work; effective communication; ability to work with a spirit of inclusivity, transparency, compassion, and care

  • Willingness to receive feedback and comfortable asking questions

  • Direct experience with underrepresented BIPOC communities (personal, lived experience or professional, work experience)

  • Excellent communication skills (bilingual Spanish preferred)

  • Available to work a flexible schedule per the needs of the organization and its programming

  • Ability to travel to multiple farm locations

  • Has a valid driver’s license 

  • Eligibility to work in the U.S.

  • Prior experience with marketing, social media, videography, or photography is a plus (please note in your application)

WHAT WE’RE OFFERING

  • A progressive work environment as part of a small team

  • Access to our farm vegetables, herbs and flowers

Opportunity to grow with the organization 
Oko Farms actively promotes an atmosphere of civility, warmth  and mutual respect towards individual differences and embraces an inclusive and equitable working environment.

We value a diverse workplace that is reflective of the communities that engage with Oko Farms. Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

TO APPLY