Arcadia On-Farm Education Manager

At Arcadia we cultivate not only crops but the heart and mind of our community. We embrace regenerative farming practices to honor the land and to promote its vital long-term health. We foster an environment that supports open communication and positive collaboration. As Arcadians we take an innovative approach to proactively solve problems in and out of the workplace. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone is respected, valued, and feels inspired to contribute their skills and perspectives. Arcadia’s values are Holistic, Equitable, Action, Land, Trust, and Harmony (HEALTH).

Overview: Arcadia seeks an On-Farm Education Manager for our nutrition and sustainable agriculture educational programs. The Manager will be primarily responsible for overseeing and directing the Farm Camp, Field Trips, Small Group Visits, with shared responsibility for Open Volunteer Days, and the Fall Funtacular on the grounds of our Educational Farm at Woodlawn, a National Trust Historic Site, in Alexandria, VA.

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is passionate about working with kids and who enjoys being outdoors in a farm setting. Management experience is preferred as the On-Farm Education Manager is responsible for the onboarding and training of around 15 seasonal staff members each year.

This position begins with two months of training and overlap with our departing On-Farm Manager, and will include participation as a field trip guide.

Through Arcadia’s Farm Education programs, we seek to connect children to where their food comes from through hands-on farming, cooking, and eating experiences. Those who interact with our program through camp or field trips will develop an understanding of the origins of food, seasonality, sustainable agriculture, land conservation, and culinary arts. Our goal is to help create the next generation of sustainable farmers, chefs, and eaters.

Reports to: Current On-Farm Education Manager, Shelby Hintz, and Executive Director, Pamela Hess.

The start date is March 23, 2026.

Compensation: Annual salary commensurate with experience, beginning $50,000 - $55,000.

Benefits: subsidized health insurance; unlimited PTO; professional development funds; telecom stipend

Location: 9000 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309

• 35-45 minutes from DC, 30 minutes from Arlington
• Accessible by bus from Old Town, Alexandria, 30 minutes
• Not metro accessible
• Arcadia Farm is easiest accessible by private transportation

Required for hire:

▪ Basic First Aid/CPR Certification (Adult/Children/Infant). Arcadia can help coordinate and cover costs if needed

▪ Clean Background check

▪ Experience working with elementary age students

▪ Outdoor work experience (ie an outdoor camp, managing organized sports, or farm)

Responsibilities:

▪ Oversee and coordinate on-farm education programs including Spring and Fall Field Trips, Farm Camp, and the Fall Funtacular located at Arcadia’s Hilltop Educational Farm.

▪ Effectively onboard, supervise, manage, and inspire seasonal staff with positivity and respect.

▪ Develop farm and nutrition education curriculum and facilitate implementation.

▪ Manage programmatic budgets, financial forecasts, and documentation of metrics relevant to each program.

▪ Maintain records in an orderly fashion and manage time across simultaneous programs and responsibilities.

▪ Collaborate and communicate professionally, in-person and via teleconference and phone, with colleagues, staff, school faculty, and participating families.

▪ Plan and conduct outreach efforts at school and community center tabling events.

▪ Circulate flyers and facilitate marketing of programs throughout the year.

▪ Provide End of Season and End of Year reports to the Executive Director.

▪ Ensure that high standards of participant safety are maintained.

▪ Work with colleagues to maintain production and appearance of the Hilltop farm site.

▪ Responsible for the care of the chickens.

▪ Oversee watering of crops at Hilltop and seedlings in the greenhouse.

▪ Plant seasonally based on curriculum needs.

▪ Outdoor work includes: Sowing, amending soil, transplanting, watering, weeding, and harvesting.

▪ Some evenings and weekend hours are required.

▪ Facilitate weekly and monthly volunteer events.

Desired Qualifications:

▪ Experience in a management role.

▪ Ability to work independently, efficiently, and multitask.

▪ Willingness to take initiative and work varying hours to ensure a successful program.

▪ Ability to maintain and engage in an extremely high level of customer service and care.

▪ Enthusiasm for and experience in sustainable agriculture, food education, and/or the environment.

▪ Willingness to get dirty, have fun outdoors, work with animals, and work in the garden.

▪ Dependable, mature, and an excellent role model to children and staff.

How to apply:

Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Send a resume, cover letter, and the name, email and/or phone number of three references with the subject line “On-Farm Education Manager Application: Your Name” to Farm Education Director, Shelby Hintz, at shelby@arcadiafood.org. Applications will not be seriously considered without all of the above criteria. If you are also interested in a counselor position, please indicate that in your email or cover letter.

Arcadia is committed to diversity in the workplace. People of color, LGBTQ and multilingual people are encouraged to apply. Learn more at http://arcadiafood.org/ and http://arcadiafood.org/arcadia-farm-camp

Benefits: subsidized health insurance; unlimited PTO; professional development funds; telecom stipend.

English proficiency required, other languages such as Spanish are very helpful but not required