Engagement Associate - Powhatan

About Shalom Farms

Shalom Farms is a nonprofit, food justice organization. We believe that everyone deserves equitable access to nourishing food and meaningful opportunities to grow, choose, cook and enjoy that food. We grow and distribute fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food across the Richmond region while working to confront the systemic barriers that create food insecurity. On our two Certified Naturally Grown farms, in Northside Richmond and Powhatan County, we work with thousands of volunteers each year to produce more than 100,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, shared through Mobile Markets, Produce Rx (PRx), and community partnerships.

About the Position

The Engagement Associate is primarily responsible for coordinating, instructing and working alongside our volunteer community at the Powhatan farm location. This position will also lead educational programming on a variety of agriculture, social justice and environmental science related topics for volunteers, visitors, and students of all ages. Volunteers are at the heart of our work, and this role helps them grow as learners, advocates, and contributors to our equity goals, not only as helping hands. Because this is an outward facing role, this person is especially responsible for co-creating and upholding a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth and humility. When not doing work related to volunteer management or education, this person will do farm work and produce distribution within our wider programs team, and other cross-departmental work as assigned. While this position will be primarily based at the Powhatan farm, there may be instances where they are asked to work at our Northside farm, or throughout the city in order to assist with produce distribution. The Powhatan farm is not served by public transit, so reliable transportation to the site is needed.

This position will report to the Engagement Lead for role supervision and to the Powhatan Farm Lead for day to day site supervision.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Volunteer Management

Day-to-day guidance of Powhatan farm volunteers. Support other program staff who work with volunteers, sharing guidance on volunteer engagement.

Volunteer Communications, Planning, and Data Entry

Daily, weekly and monthly coordination of upcoming volunteer visits and data entry and analysis related to volunteer visits.

Education

Educational programming on the farm for volunteers, visitors, and students of all ages.

Other

Cross-departmental opportunities, and other duties as assigned.

Specific Responsibilities

Volunteer Management

• Guide and work alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups in completion of daily farm tasks.
• Determine appropriate tasks based on volunteer age, skill level, group size, etc. and adapt or modify those tasks as needed in order to provide an accessible experience to all volunteers.
• Participate in community building and gratitude for volunteers.
• Work with the Engagement team to consistently build and improve volunteer engagement skills.
• Collaborate with and provide support to other Powhatan farm staff and interns for the purpose of effective volunteer management and completion of farm work.
• Share farm-specific and organization-wide updates with volunteers on a regular basis.
• Organize and maintain spaces used by volunteers
• Uphold Shalom’s community values and participate in building a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth and humility.

Planning, Data Entry and Volunteer Communications

• Schedule individual volunteers and volunteer groups for the Powhatan Farm
• Maintain warm and timely communications with all Powhatan Farm volunteers
• Perform data entry pertaining to volunteers on the farm
• Maintain daily volunteer headcount and work-log to record details of volunteer attendance and field work accomplished
• Assist with the evaluation of the volunteer experience at the farm.
• Assist with weekly work planning as needed.
• Contribute to and participate in morning planning meetings.
• Attend and contribute to weekly Powhatan farm meetings
• Attend and contribute to monthly Engagement team meetings.
• Accurately and promptly record any on-farm safety incidents.

Education

• Provide an educational orientation and general farm tour to new volunteers.
• Lead tours for visitors on a variety of topics related to agriculture, social justice and environmental science.
• Collaborate on educational programming that builds community, encourages advocacy, and fosters the long term growth and development of our volunteers.
• Using our farm curriculum, lead field trips for students of all ages.

Cross-Departmental and Other

• Participate in general farm work and packing barn duties as assigned
• Assist with the organization and maintenance of all farm equipment and outbuildings
• Contribute to and participate in relevant staff meetings, committee meetings, trainings, etc.
• Collaborate with the Engagement team on programmatic changes and special projects in line with the strategic plan
• Maintain regular 1:1 meetings with the Engagement Lead and Powhatan Farm Lead
• Participate in outreach events as outlined at the start of the season
• Work both Shalom Farms special events
• Assist with the distribution of produce at mobile markets and join other cross-departmental opportunities as needed
• Provide coverage for other staff, which may include working outside the role’s typical work hours and in other locations
• Drive Shalom Farms vehicles for programmatic work
• Other duties as assigned

Qualities

• Commitment to racial equity and to Shalom Farms' values: justice, collaboration, integrity, respect, and sustainability
• Enjoys building relationships with volunteers, visitors, and neighbors
• Enjoys working with both children and adults
• Possesses strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Stays flexible and organized when plans change
• Experience guiding a group, crew, or project
• Comfortable guiding and educating groups of volunteers, visitors, or students
• Enjoys educating about food justice issues and sustainable agriculture
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Comfortable with basic office tasks and Google Workspace, or willing to learn quickly on the job

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The essential functions of this role include the following, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Lifting and moving produce, tools, and supplies weighing up to 50 lbs, regularly during farm work
• Standing, walking on uneven ground, bending, kneeling, and reaching for extended periods
• Working outdoors in heat, cold, rain, and sun, with exposure to dust, pollen, and insects
• Driving organizational vehicles for programmatic work

If you need an accommodation to apply or to do this work, contact hr@shalomfarms.org.

Must Have

• Experience in farming, gardening, teaching, organizing, or similar work, paid or unpaid.
• Experience building relationships with people across differences in race, culture, age, class, faith, and place
• A valid driver's license

Nice to Have

• Experience (paid, volunteer, or lived) in education, volunteer management, agriculture, social work, or community work
• Experience guiding volunteers or groups
• Spanish language skills

Compensation

This is a seasonal, contracted position with benefits and pay provided for the duration of the contract. You will be paid semi-monthly based on an hourly wage of $21.00 per hour. Provided both parties agree, there will be an option to review and renew this contract at the end of each year. If renewed, healthcare benefits will continue uninterrupted.

Paid leave, paid holidays, and medical/dental benefits will be provided for the duration of the contract, with medical and dental coverage beginning the first of the month after your start date. A vacation blackout for the months of July and August is required, but a paid full week off in the summer is provided. Plus lots of free farm produce!

The proposed contract duration is 1600 hours from February 22nd through December 10th, 2027. Hours and scheduling will shift seasonally, with fluctuating duties and hours throughout the year. This position generally works Monday-Friday, with the addition of weekend morning duties on alternating weeks during part of the season. On occasion, they may be asked to work evenings and other weekend hours, including shifts for organization-wide events, covering for other staff, and community outreach.

To Apply

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 references to hr@shalomfarms.org with “Engagement Associate - Powhatan” in the subject line. First review of applications begins November 20. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

You don't need to meet every qualification to apply. If this work speaks to you and you bring related experience, whether paid, volunteer, or lived, we encourage you to apply.

For more information, feel free to email, visit our website www.shalomfarms.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram (@shalomfarms).

All employees are required to comply with the policies and procedures contained in the current Shalom Farms Employee Handbook, and with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Shalom Farms is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities where we work, partner, and serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, ability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination. The more inclusive and equitable we are, the better our work will be.

A background check is required for this position. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant. We review each situation individually.

Medical and dental insurance, paid leave, paid holidays, a paid week off in the summer, and lots of free farm produce, for the duration of the contract.