Penn Farm Coordinator, Wellbeing Initiatives (Temporary)

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Posted Job Title

Penn Farm Coordinator, Wellbeing Initiatives (Temporary)

Job Profile Title

Temporary Employee – Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Director of Wellbeing Initiatives, the temporary Penn Farm Coordinator will support a unique, multidisciplinary program that engages stakeholders from across the Penn community around three focus areas of access, sustainability, and education. Wellness at Penn, Penn’s Center for Public Health, and Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) joined together to establish Penn Farm in 2019. Penn Farm is Penn’s first and only on-campus farm. Each year, the farm grows thousands of pounds of organic produce to support food access initiatives that address food insecurity within the Penn community and hosts a wide variety of programming including research, internships, class visits, courses, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and events.

Job Description

The Penn Farm operates in support of our mission to infuse wellness throughout the Penn experience through inclusive, innovative, and impactful initiatives. This will be accomplished through planning, coordinating, implementing, and assessing students’ physical and emotional health, academic success, and personal growth. Penn’s eight domains of wellness include: Physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupation, environmental, and financial wellness. The Coordinator will embrace our core values of compassion, accessibility, respect and empowerment (CARE) throughout their work.

Specific Tasks will include: 

• Sustainability and Access (Farm work and instruction): 
• Assist with all aspects of farm operations including tasks like weeding, watering, planting, harvesting, washing and packing produce, compost maintenance, bed building, small projects, etc.
• Support summer fellows and academic year interns in farm shifts ensuring that work is being completed effectively and efficiently while maintaining an inclusive group environment 
• Lead tours and group volunteering events as well as individual volunteers at Penn Farm
• Education:
• Support summer fellows in Penn Farm’s food justice curriculum including assigning readings, podcasts, documentaries, etc. along with relevant projects and assignments. Supervise completion of cumulative group project based on the curriculum
• Serve as a mentor for summer fellows and academic year interns, providing feedback and supporting positive group dynamics
• Work with Penn Farm staff to lead events including New Student Orientation events, Climate Week events, and other educational events for the Penn Community that advance Penn Farm’s food system education goals
• Speak with visiting classes and other groups about Penn Farm’s work as well as relevant food systems, food access, regenerative agriculture related topics
• Assist with project-based learning at Penn Farm during the fall semester
• Administration:
• Work with Penn Farm staff on summer fellowship program design including updates and improvements to the existing curriculum and developing a structure for the cumulative project during the spring and summer
• Coordinate field trips and an end of year celebration for the summer fellows. Coordinate learning opportunities for academic year interns 
• Schedule farm shifts for academic year interns and volunteers during the fall semester
• Collect and document relevant metrics including attendance, harvest logs, follow up survey, etc. Conduct end of summer and end of year program evaluations with summer fellows and academic year interns
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: 

• At least one full season working in regenerative agriculture
• Knowledgeable about relevant regenerative agriculture, food access, and food justice topics
• Aware of integrated pest management, soil health, and low till agricultural principles
• Excellent interpersonal, management, and communication skills- must be able to effectively support a team of young adults
• Ability to receive and deliver constructive feedback and uphold community norms within the program
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and leadership, able to motivate young adults in completing farm work and facilitate productive conversations on food justice topics
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and complete physically intensive outdoor work in difficult weather conditions
• Ability to work independently- organized, self-motivated, critical thinker/problem solver, able to communicate in a timely manner
• Education experience, particularly environmental or agricultural education strongly preferred

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Health and Wellness

Pay Range

$7.25 – $20.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 

Background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

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