Farm Program Coordinator

General Summary:

The Farm Program Coordinator supports and implements the agroecology programs at Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields Preserves. This position will be fully engaged in the farm preserve’s programs with a focus on access, inclusivity, collaborations, regenerative agriculture, and community well-being. This Farm Program Coordinator works closely with the Aldermere and Erickson management team to enhance MCHT’s community conservation, ecological and climate resilience initiatives. This position reports directly to the Outreach and Office Manager, Aldermere/Erickson.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supervise students, apprentices, volunteers, and other program participants at both preserves. Coordinate with the Aldermere Herd Manager on Erickson Fields Farm Manager on farm operations work such as cattle chores, garden prep/harvest, and property maintenance.
• Work with staff to plan, develop, and evaluate outreach and programming needs at both preserves that incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develop skills-based curriculum to support agricultural education both on and off the preserves.
• Implement and run programming at both preserves independently and collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
• Administrative responsibilities include program scheduling, participant communications, metrics, and program evaluations.
• Work with the Engagement Department on external communications, funding, and grant opportunities.
• Create communications content for press releases, social media, internal materials, and preserve signage.
• Be a liaison between MCHT and the Midcoast community to raise awareness of our mission and recruit program participants in local schools and other locations.
• Collaborate with the community to support initiatives related to resilient local food systems, climate adaptability, youth engagement, and community well-being.
• Other Erickson Fields, Aldermere Farm and MCHT duties as needed.
• Serves in public groups in support of MCHT’s mission to demonstrate excellent land stewardship and support community well-being.
• Serves as a welcoming, inclusive ambassador to the public for MCHT at this high-profile preserve.
• Serves as crucial part of the team that supports the Associate Director of Stewardship Aldermere/Erickson: in the management of the farm preserves to further MCHT’s mission, vision, and conservation goals.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Supervise and mentor youth and adults in programs and other activities hosted at the farm preserves.

Requirements:

Regular work week with some weekends and evenings required as needed for programming and agricultural related responsibilities. Background check and mandated reporter training required.

Education & Experience:

5 to 6 years of experience in agricultural or environmental programs and education required. A combination of a bachelor's degree in a related field with 3 years of relevant educational programming is preferred.

Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills
• Strong written communication skills
• Ability to promote and maintain positive public relations and to interact with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to communicate clear expectations and strategic goals to staff and program participants.
• Ability to coordinate projects with peers/supervisors in the organization collaboratively, including accepting positive feedback and constructive criticism to complete the tasks more effectively.
• Commitment to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to Maine agriculture, land stewardship, conservation, and community well-being.
• Significant computer skills necessary to create and maintain email communications, spreadsheets, and operational documents, utilizing assigned software.
• Ability to use hand tools and small machinery.
• Valid Drivers’ license

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

Work will take place in the office and in the field. Field operations work is almost entirely outdoors in all year-round conditions. Work will require significant physical strength and endurance. Some substantial care will need to be taken while working around cattle that can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and at times can be aggressive, and while working around potentially dangerous equipment. Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly for up to an hour. Subjected to farm related odors. Administrative Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc.

This is a permanent, non-exempt, full-time position with a generous benefits package including insurance, vacation and sick time, 14 paid holidays and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for this role is $48,000 ($23 per hour) to $53,000 ($25.50 per hour) and will depend upon experience.

To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and passion for our mission to search@mcht.org by March 14, 2025. Please use “Farm Program Coordinator” in the subject line.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.