Hydroponic Farmer-Educator: Murry Bergtraum Educational Campus

Position Type: Community Associate

Reports To: Partnership Coordinator

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

This is a 12-month, 35-hour-per-week annual assignment. Position will require flexibility with respect to work hours in order to meet the needs of the school community, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Use of earned vacation and/or compensatory time is subject to the approval of the school principal.

Start Date: 8/31/2026

Location: Urban Assembly Maker Academy (411 Pearl St, New York, NY 10038). Periodic travel may be required for meetings and events.

Organizational Partnership Overview

Urban Assembly Maker Academy, in conjunction with Teens for Food Justice, offers a hydroponic farming experience for students in grades 9-12. These two organizations work together to provide an instructional and experiential learning experience for students through farming lessons and farming activities.

Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) is building a food-secure future through school-based hydroponic farming, training students to grow produce for their food-insecure communities while equipping them with tools to advocate for food systems change.

Position Overview

Work to build an equitable, sustainable, healthy food system throughout New York City through school-based, youth-led hydroponic farming. As a Farmer-Educator, you play a critical role in empowering and educating the next generation to work and advocate for major systems change in bringing healthy, affordable food to their communities. Farmer-Educators trained by TFFJ master the newest hydroponic technologies for growing food sustainably, as they in turn train students in these skills.

This is an NYC Public Schools staff role that partners with TFFJ to implement and oversee all farm-based programming, including integrated school day classes, afterschool programming, farm internships, and food distribution to the campus cafeteria as well as to families and local community-based partners.

Farm Responsibilities

As the Farmer, you will have a high degree of autonomy but also responsibility and accountability for all aspects of your farm’s operations, which mimic those of a commercial hydroponic grower:

• Tending to hydroponic crops by seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and cleaning hydroponic systems (post-harvest), including pruning and trellising vine crops.
• Deploying various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) treatments and Plant Protection Products (PPP) as needed.
• Using the Farm Management Dashboard to submit accurate records, report issues, request supplies, and follow task-specific instructions while supporting on-site farm and classroom activities.
• Supporting core food distribution tasks, including harvesting, weighing, labeling, packing, and coordinating handoff of produce to ensure accurate orders, food safety compliance, and successful receipt by customers.
• Managing inventory of farm supplies by regularly assessing stock, requesting supplies as needed, receiving supplies from designated areas, and providing proof of receipt on the Farm Management Dashboard.
• Observing and enforcing food and farm safety protocols for all students, staff, and visitors.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness on the farm and ensuring that the farm is safe, clean, and presentable at all times.
• Leading periodic farm tours.

Program Responsibilities

As the Educator, you will have the opportunity to build student, school, and community connections to the farm, its work, and its food justice mission and help lay the groundwork for a food-secure future:

• Leading and working with students daily to operate a production-scale hydroponic farm in a public school.
• Co-teaching daily STEM classes and weekly afterschool program sessions that utilize the farm and engage students in lessons and activities including (but not limited to) hands-on farm tasks, experiments and research, group discussions, cooking demonstrations, and gallery walks.
• Regularly collaborating with lead teachers to review and prepare lesson materials prior to our curricular day and afterschool programming. This includes printing out materials and setting up activities in advance of class meeting times.
• Managing student farm assistant interns in helping with farm operations tasks (e.g., tracking attendance, providing them with farm tasks, tracking hours, and communicating with partner staff).
• Brainstorming ways for students to take ownership of, and connect with, the school day and afterschool content presented.
• Distributing and collecting class rosters, media consent, and other TFFJ-related permission forms from all classes and students engaged with the farm.
• Using the Farm Management Dashboard to submit accurate class records, request supplies, and use the Curriculum Library to plan lessons with teachers and log recipes.
• Communicating clearly and regularly with the TFFJ Program team about school-based opportunities and community events.
• Attending regular meetings (at a cadence based on Farmer-Educator need and availability) with the Program team to discuss curriculum needs and feedback, any program-related issues such as class attendance/scheduling, classroom management, and supply needs.
• Serving as the farm’s representative within the campus community, occasionally attending community events outside of school hours as needed.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• At least 2 years of work experience
• Ability to clear a required NYC Public Schools background check (required to work in schools)
• Ability to clearly, consistently, and accurately communicate both verbally and electronically
• Comfortable using a Windows PC for email, data entry, and calendars
• Ability to follow directions and provide directions to others
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Adhere to existing organizational systems
• Ability to work independently, but also be a team player
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to climb ladders/rolling staircases

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of, and demonstrated commitment to, social justice
• Interest or experience in food service, farming, urban agriculture, community health, or youth development
• The desire to work with youth
• High energy level and a positive outlook
• Ability to provide three references