Education Manager
Common Ground Farm is seeking an Education Manager to lead our farm-based education programs. Through Preschool on the Farm, Farm Camp, Farm to School partnerships, and community workshops, we connect people of all ages to fresh food, farming, and the natural world.
The Education Manager plays a central role in advancing Common Ground Farm’s mission to support and engage our community by fostering access to fresh food and connection to local agriculture. This role shapes meaningful educational experiences, supports a collaborative team, and builds systems that sustain and strengthen our programs over time. This is a hands-on position that combines leadership, administration, and direct teaching, with seasonal variation in workload. During the spring and summer seasons, this position is supported by a seasonal Assistant Camp Director. The Education Manager reports to the Executive Director.
Success in this role includes strong program enrollment, positive participant feedback, effective staff leadership, and well-organized systems.
Responsibilities
This role balances program leadership, staff management, and operational systems. Priorities shift throughout the year based on the season, with the summer camp period requiring increased focus on daily program execution. The Education Manager is expected to manage competing priorities and adjust focus as needed to support high-quality program delivery.
Program Leadership & Curriculum
Oversee all education programs: planning, scheduling, registration, curriculum development, communication, and evaluation
Lead core programs—Preschool on the Farm, Farm Camp, and Farm to School—with opportunity to develop additional mission-aligned offerings
Direct all aspects of Farm Camp, including compliance, staff leadership, enrollment, family communication, and program evaluation, with support from a seasonal Assistant Camp Director during the spring and summer
Oversee educational programming and activities in the Children’s Garden, including seasonal planning and coordination
Staff Management & Leadership
Hire, train, and supervise seasonal, part-time, and contract education staff
Provide day-to-day leadership, support, and supervision for education team members, especially during peak program seasons
Operations & Administration
Develop and manage the education budget in collaboration with the Executive Director and Operations and Finance Manager; track progress toward program and revenue goals
Maintain organized systems for program operations and track data to support evaluation and fundraising
Collaborate with staff on cross-program work (field activities, market programming, etc.)
Participate in staff, board, and committee meetings
Community Engagement & Outreach
Build and maintain relationships with community partners, including local schools and organizations
Promote programs through newsletters, social media, printed materials, and community events
Support grant writing and fundraising campaigns in collaboration with the Executive Director
Job Qualifications:
Required
At least three years of teaching experience
Experience leading outdoor, farm-based, or food-based programs
Familiarity with growing vegetables and comfort cooking with whole foods
Strong leadership and experience supervising teams
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple priorities
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Comfort teaching people of all ages, from young children through adults
Commitment to ensuring equitable access to farm-based education
Experience with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office, including spreadsheets
Preferred
Experience running a summer camp
Basic Spanish language proficiency
Basic knowledge of art and art-based education
Schedule: This is a year-round, full-time position (40 hours per week), typically Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends for programs and events.
The summer camp season (June 30th through August 21) is a particularly active period and requires additional flexibility and time commitment. Up to 5 hours of paid overtime per week is budgeted for this time.
Compensation: Starting range is $23–$24 per hour, depending on experience. Benefits include 100 hours of paid vacation, 40 hours of paid sick leave, paid holidays, a monthly healthcare stipend, a free U-Pick share, 25% off CGF programs, free camp tuition for dependents, and two tickets to all CGF events.
To Apply: Please email a cover letter, resume, a sample lesson plan, and three references to sember@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Education Manager on the subject line. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. We will begin the first round of interviews the week of May 4th, 2026.
2026 FARM POSITIONS
CSA Coordinator
Please note: This position pairs well with our Farmers’ Market Coordinator position. Our ideal candidate is able to hold both positions; however, we also encourage and welcome applications for either position individually. If interested in both positions, please indicate on your cover letter.
Job Description:
Common Ground Farm is looking for someone enthusiastic about fresh vegetables and community connection to coordinate our CSA. The CSA Coordinator will report to the Farm Manager and is responsible for executing a smooth CSA operation by:
Staffing the CSA check-in table on Wednesdays from 3:00pm - 7:00pm (4 hr/wk total) and on Saturdays from 8:00am - 1:00pm (5 hr/wk total)
Setting up, maintaining, and taking down the CSA check-in table and field signs 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after every harvest session
Greeting and interacting with CSA members and their guests in a friendly, welcoming manner during their weekly farm visits
Acting as the point of contact for CSA Members and their guests for the duration of their membership and relationship with the Common Ground organization, answering any questions or concerns that CSA members may have
Working alongside the Farm Manager to understand the details of each weekly share. This will be facilitated by attending a weekly field walk with the farm manager once a week (1 hr/wk)
Coordinating with the Farm Manager about CSA add-ons and hand-off items to CSA members at the check-in table
Transfer CSA member contact information from Squarespace into our newsletter platform, MailChimp
Schedule:
The CSA Coordinator’s weekly hours differ depending on the time of year. In the summer, the CSA harvest windows are longer and therefore require longer hours. In the fall, the CSA pick-up windows are shorter and require fewer hours to staff. Ideally, prior to the start of the CSA season, the CSA Coordinator will put in a couple hours each week to answer CSA emails, help with marketing for last-minute sales, and learn the ropes of our farm.
May 11 - June 7: 2 hours per week
Extremely flexible, can be remote or in-office
June 8 - August 30: 16 hours per week
6.5 hours on Wednesdays from 1:30pm - 8:00pm
7 hours on Saturdays from 7:00am - 2:00pm
Up to 2 hours to coordinate CSA Add-Ons and answer questions from CSA members over email, which can be done remotely or in-office
August 31 - October 25: 10 hours per week
4 hours on Wednesdays from 3:00pm - 7:00pm
4 hours on Saturdays from 10:00am - 2:00pm
Up to 2 hours to coordinate CSA Add-Ons and answer questions from CSA members over email, which can be done remotely or in-office
Required Qualifications:
Committed to Common Ground’s mission to support and engage our community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture through farming, education, and farmers’ markets
Experience in a public-facing role
Excellent customer service skills
A love for vegetables and sharing them with others
Enjoys interacting with children and families
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Organized and efficient
Strong work ethic; must be a self-starter
Punctual–must arrive ahead of CSA pickup start time, ready to work
Ability to work in all weather conditions, including bitter cold, sweltering heat, rain, and wind
Ability to lift 50 pounds.
Commitment to creating a safe and welcoming work space
Compensation:
This is an hourly, seasonal position, paying $20/hr. Employees receive free access to farm produce, subject to crop availability.
Application Process:
Send a 1-page resume, cover letter, and 3 references to Rhys Bethke, Farm Manager, at farm@commongroundfarm.org, with the subject “CSA Coordinator 2026.” Please confirm that your schedule availability lines up with our CSA harvest sessions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Farmers’ Market Coordinator
Please note: This position pairs well with our CSA Coordinator role. Our ideal candidate is able to hold both positions; however, we also welcome and encourage applications for either position individually. If interested in both positions, please indicate on your cover letter.
Job Description:
Common Ground Farm is looking for someone enthusiastic about fresh vegetables and community connection to run our produce stand at the Beacon Farmers’ Market. The Farmers’ Market Coordinator reports to the Assistant Farm Manager and is responsible for the following:
Arrive at the farm by 8:00 AM to load the market van with produce from the walk-in cooler and market supplies from the barn
Transport produce and supplies to the market site
Set up an inviting and visually appealing produce display with clear signage
Provide friendly, knowledgeable customer service to market shoppers
Accurately record all sales using Square
Break down the stand and pack remaining items at the end of the market at 2pm
Return Greens4Greens and SNAP coins to the BFM tent
Separate and return empty harvest bins to the farm
Return leftover produce to the walk-in cooler
Document “Lindley Todd” sales on a separate tracking sheet
Schedule:
7 hours per week
Sundays, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Season: May 3, 2026 – November 29, 2026
Required Qualifications:
Prior experience staffing a farmers market stand
Enthusiasm for vegetables and for sharing them with others
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to recognize repeat customers
Strong organizational skills and efficiency
Punctual and reliable
Ability to lift 40lbs
Compensation:
This is an hourly, seasonal position, paying $20/hr. Employees receive free access to farm produce, subject to crop availability.
Application Process:
Please send a one-page resume, cover letter, and three references to India Fleming-Klink, Assistant Farm Manager, at india@commongroundfarm.org with the subject line “Farmers Market Coordinator 2026.”
2026 FarM camp staff
Farm Camp Instructors
Job description:
Do you love teaching kids in a hands-on, outdoor environment? We’re looking for creative, collaborative, and dynamic educators to join our team as Farm Camp Instructors at Common Ground Farm. Instructors guide camper groups through hands-on experiences in gardening, nature exploration, food, art, animals, and outdoor skills—helping campers connect directly with the farm and surrounding environment. Much of the day takes place outdoors in the garden, field, and woods.
Each instructor leads a camper group of approximately 12 children and works in partnership with a counselor. Together, they support the group throughout the day and help ensure campers are engaged, supported, and having a meaningful experience.
Instructors are responsible for developing and leading engaging, age-appropriate activities for their group. The farm will provide planning templates, activity frameworks, and guidance in core program areas (gardening, cooking, art, and nature exploration), and instructors will build and adapt their own lesson plans within this structure.
During orientation week, instructors will be introduced to the farm, program structure, and core activity areas. They will work with provided templates and collaborate with staff to develop their plans for the summer. Training will include basic gardening skills, how to lead cooking activities using seasonal ingredients, and strategies for facilitating outdoor learning with children.
Instructors are expected to implement and adapt activities based on weather, group needs, and available materials.
Afternoon choice time is an opportunity for instructors to share a particular interest or skill set. Instructors will plan and lead choice activities each week (for example: art, sports, outdoor skills, crafts, or games).
Educators with experience or interest in gardening, outdoor and environmental education, art, cooking, or science are especially encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
Develop and lead daily and weekly activities in areas such as gardening, cooking, art, and nature exploration
Lead and support a consistent camper group of approximately 12 children with your assigned counselor
Plan and lead afternoon choice time activities
Adapt plans as needed based on weather, materials, and camper engagement
Manage supplies and maintain organization of materials and spaces
Set up and prepare materials before each day’s activities
Help clean up each day, including sanitizing and supporting setup and takedown
Work closely with your counselor to support camper well-being and group dynamics
Participate in short, weekly staff meetings
What We’re Looking For:
Teaching experience
Experience developing lesson plans or leading structured activities with children
Interest or knowledge in gardening, nature, food, art, science, and/or outdoor education
Comfort working independently within a flexible program structure
A collaborative team member excited to work with other educators, counselors, and farm staff
Schedule:
Camp Dates: June 29 – August 21 (8 weeks)
Orientation: June 22–26
This position is 36–40 hours per week onsite, with the option of additional hours during before and after care.
Pay: $19–$21 per hour
Location: Wappingers, New York, Common Ground Farm
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Sember Weinman at director@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Instructor in the subject line.
Farm Camp Counselors
Job description:
Farm Camp Counselors are essential to ensuring campers feel supported, safe, and engaged throughout the day. Counselors help campers participate fully in camp activities—from welcoming them at drop-off and helping them settle in, to supporting friendships, to making sure they are prepared and organized at the end of the day.
Counselors are assigned to a camper group and work closely with an instructor to support the group throughout the day. They play a key role in maintaining group cohesion, supporting camper behavior, and helping the day run smoothly across all activities.
Responsibilities:
Monitor the safety of campers including sign in/sign out procedures, remaining aware of campers’ locations, assisting campers with safely crossing the farm road, and following safety practices on the farm
Lead and facilitate games and activities during arrival, lunch, and transition times to keep campers engaged
Ensure that campers’ needs are met, including managing bathroom and water breaks, helping campers with snacks and meals, applying sunscreen and bug repellent, and supporting overall well-being
Support positive behavior, help resolve conflicts between campers, and bring concerns to camp leadership when needed
Manage campers’ belongings and help maintain organization
Assist instructors in daily activities, including distributing supplies, supporting camper participation, and helping complete projects
Support instructors in adapting activities based on group needs, timing, and conditions
Assist in setup and cleanup responsibilities for both their own group and the camp as a whole (wipe down tables, put away supplies, take out garbage, etc.) as needed and as assigned
Participate in staff meetings
What We’re Looking For
Experience working with children
Organized and energetic individuals who enjoy spending time with children
Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
Able to stay active throughout the day (walking, standing, lifting camp materials, etc.)
Interest or experience in gardening, nature, art, cooking, or outdoor activities is a plus
Schedule:
Camp Dates: June 29 – August 21 (8 weeks)
Orientation: June 22–26
This position is 36–40 hours per week onsite, with the option of additional hours during before and after care.
Location: Wappingers, New York, Common Ground Farm
Pay: $16–$18 per hour
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Sember Weinman at director@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Counselor in the subject line.
Common Ground Farm believes we are strengthened by the diversity of our staff, our board and our community and welcomes such diversity, including race, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, disability, and veteran status. We welcome applications from people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.