Job Description

Position Overview

The Farm Educator and Assistant Camp Director is an education focused position at Calypso Farm. There are three primary responsibilities: 1) Being an instructor for Calypso’s youth summer camps. 2) Assisting with all aspects of running camp, including developing activities and schedules and mentoring other educators and youth volunteers. 3) Assisting with Farm-based Field Trips and other youth and family education programs. In all these duties this position works closely with Calypso’s Lead Educator/Camp Director.

About Calypso Farm & Ecology Center

Founded in 2000, Calypso Farm and Ecology Center is a non-profit, educational farm in Fairbanks, Alaska. We offer hands-on education programs for all ages and grow fresh food for the community. We encourage environmental awareness in both farming and natural ecosystems, and our farm is surrounded by beautiful boreal forest. Our education programs are all hands-on and based in principles of place-based learning.

About Calypso's Educational Philosophy

We believe in the power of immersive, hands-on, place-based learning. We know that people of all ages, including children, learn best when they are learning real skills and building real relationships with the land and community around them. Our programs focus on child-led learning and discovery and guiding participants through hands-on learning experiences on the Farm. Our programs incorporate elements of play-based learning, nature awareness, place-based science and ecology, and outdoor skills/farm skills.

For more information and to see the full application, visit:

To Apply

Please send a copy of your resume, the contact information for 3 work related references, and a cover letter that addresses the following questions to Leila Pyle, Calypso’s Lead Educator, at leila@calypsofarm.org. We will then contact you about an interview!

1. Describe why you are interested in being the Farm Educator/Assistant Camp Director.
2. Describe any outdoor/environmental education experience that you have, or other experience working with children.
3. Describe any farm, garden, or ecology related experience that you have (preferred but not required).
4. Briefly describe a garden-based lesson or activity appropriate for 7-10 year olds that you would be excited to lead.
5. If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?
6. How did you hear about the position?

Special Benefits

Compensation for this position is $16-$17/hour, depending on experience, plus Room and Board at Calypso Farm for the duration of the season. If an employee chooses to live off site instead, a higher hourly wage or additional compensation may be discussed.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Outdoor and/or environmental education experience (at least 1-2 seasons preferred).
• Experience with outdoor programs similar to Calypso and/or skills relevant to Calypso programs. Relevant skills might include, but are not limited to: farming/gardening, knowledge of animal husbandry, fiber arts, nature awareness, cooking, homesteading arts, or general ecology.
• Comfortable working with youth and children of all ages
• Good communication and organizational skills
• Belief in Calypso’s mission (see About Calypso Farm &
• Ecology Center on first page)
• Knowledgeable about the ecology of the boreal forest or
• excited to learn
• Gardening or farming experience is a bonus (not required)
• First Aid & CPR certified (training provided)
• Able to pass a Background Check to work with children

Why work here

This is a fun, outdoor education position at an educational vegetable/fiber farm in Fairbanks, Alaska! The Farm Educator/Assistant Camp Director serves as an instructor at Calypso's youth summer camps, as well as assisting with all aspects of running camp, from developing activities to mentoring other educators and youth volunteers. The Farm Educator/Assistant Camp Director also works with Calypso's other youth education programs like farm-based field trips and public events. We are seeking someone with strong leadership skills and experience working with youth for this fun and hands-on position! At least a few seasons of outdoor education experience is strongly preferred!

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