A conversation about workers, communities and social justice

Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project Seeks Urban Food Justice Youth Educator (NYC)

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Please send a cover letter, resume, and 2 references via email to Carena Miles at info@hellskitchenfarmproject.org with “2017 Food Justice Educator” in the subject line by March 27th. In your cover letter, please explain your interest in teaching food security and food justice to youth, as well your availability for the time frame indicated for the project.

Application deadline March 27, 2017

Program Description

The Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project (HKFP) is committed to creating a more food-secure urban community though collaborative farming, education, and community initiatives. We strive to do this by growing fresh food on a previously underutilized rooftop for distribution through a local food pantry, providing community nutritional education, and organizing a CSA program. The farm operates on the 4,000 square foot roof of Metro Baptist Church. We grow in 52 raised beds (plastic kiddie pools), which provide 1,000 square feet of growing area. All produce grown on the farm goes directly to the Rauschenbush Metro Ministries Food Pantry, adding fresh greens and vegetables to its weekly food distribution. The HKFP CSA is a great way to buy fresh produce from a local farmer. The CSA is designed to enable low-income families and individuals to participate and receive the nutritious produce everyone needs.

Job Description

The Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project is seeking a dynamic youth educator to lead a summer youth food justice program for high school students. Through this program, we seek to connect neighborhood youth to the knowledge and skills needed to critically examine the current food system. Youth interns will gain hands-on experience working on our rooftop farm. They will learn about local approaches to improving nutrition and food security by participating in our affiliated food pantry. The interns will also learn about cooperative business models by engaging in our Community Supported Agriculture program. Our goal is to inspire youth to become advocates for food justice, learn tangible growing skills, make informed decisions, and share knowledge with their peers and families around their food and health choices.

The program will run for six weeks and engage 8-10 high school students. The interns will be paid a modest stipend. Sessions will take place Wednesday through Saturday for 4 hours each day. We are looking for an educator to build the curriculum and lead this program at our Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project site, with support from the HKFP leadership Board. The Farm is located on the rooftop of Metro Baptist Church at 410 West 40th Street in Manhattan, and is easily accessible by all public transportation.

Employment Dates: May 1, 2017 – August 25, 2017

Days & Hours: The food justice educator is a seasonal part-time position.

  • May 1st – June 30th – the educator may work remotely for approximately 8 hours a week developing the curriculum and scheduling intern interviews, field trips, the program calendar, and more.
  • July 5th – August 18th – the educator will work approximately 16 hours a week from Wednesday – Saturday facilitating the intern program (teaching food justice & advocacy issues, leading field trips, farm work, etc.).
  • August 21st – August 25th – the educator may work remotely for approximately 8 hours and is responsible for closing the program and submitting a final report.

Youth Educator Duties: The food justice educator is primarily responsible for leading the Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project summer youth internship for high schoolers. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Create, implement and help shape a young, replicable Food Justice curriculum for a group of about 8-10 high school students
  • Facilitate food justice lessons and youth development workshops for interns.
  • Collaborate with HKFP Board members to organize workshops, guest lectures, and related activities
  • Coordinate and lead educational field trips to affiliated sites and organizations
  • Work with interns to complete farm tasks, such as weeding, harvesting, packaging, inventory, compost, etc.

Candidates must demonstrate the following skills and experience:

  • 2-3 years in youth development or youth education
  • A creative thinker with curriculum development experience
  • Well-versed and able to lead thoughtful discussions on contemporary food systems and food justice issues
  • A strong social justice analysis and understanding of how issues of race, class, gender, nationality and socio-economics influence the food system
  • Self-motivated, organized and strong communicator who works well in a collaborative environment
  • Experience working with diverse communities
  • Hands-on gardening or urban agriculture experience preferred but not mandatory

Compensation: $2,000 for the project, including curriculum development, project coordination, teaching, and final report.

To apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and 2 references via email to Carena Miles at info@hellskitchenfarmproject.org with “2017 Food Justice Educator” in the subject line by March 27th. In your cover letter, please explain your interest in teaching food security and food justice to youth, as well your availability for the time frame indicated for the project.