Small Farm Ambassador/Instructor

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization’s programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Agriculture Training and Cultural Center Overview

The Ecological Agriculture Training and Cultural Center’s mission is to train farmers, engage farmer families and create community around ecologically-based, socially just and economically sustainable agriculture. We believe the future of Southern California Agriculture is small in scale…not in impact. To ensure the success of small farms, we focus on the Seven Tenets of Small Farm Management Systems and teach the mastery of nine core agricultural knowledge areas. 

The EAT! Small Farm Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide a full-immersion experience, encouraging students to explore cultural diversity, philosophical perspectives and farming as a means to personal, family, community and financial wellness. Although place-based within the City of Norco, our curriculum is derived from generations of practical farming wisdom & emerging practices impacting the present and future of agriculture. 

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What it’s really like to join our agency…

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We’ve made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams. We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with generous time off! Various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403(b) are available. We provide annual reimbursements up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation, and weight loss programs. Annual athletic event participation and annual massages are reimbursed up to $50. Other Company-paid benefits, including free wellness-related apps, an Employee Assistance Program, and a comprehensive mental health care platform, are available to you and your dependents..

JOB SUMMARY

The EAT! Small Farm Ambassador/Instructor reports to the Director of Agricultural Programs/Assistant Director of Career Technical Education. The position collaborates with a small team of dedicated farm educators focused on building a strong, just and profitable local food system through organic and regenerative practices. This is a full-time position based in Norco and Riverside, California and may require some travel throughout Southern California. Additionally, this is a hands-on farming and education position including responsibility for Cohorts of Small Farm Apprentices and will be instrumental in allowing us to expand our programs to directly serve the City of Riverside. 

As an instructor and Small Farm Ambassador, your goals will be to provide a pathway for beginning farmers, with a focus on helping emerging and new farmers, including those from underserved populations, to learn efficient and sustainable farming practices, gain access to their own farmland, develop viable business plans, link to markets to sell their products, and launch commercially and ecologically sustainable small farms that provide for improved quality of life for their families.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Small Farm Ambassador/Instructor position will require time working outside on the farm, teaching in a classroom setting and developing close working relationships with students in a case management role.

• Teaching the Five Keys Ecological Agriculture Training (EAT!) Small Farm Curriculum
• As needed, developing and updating curriculum to meet the needs of participants
• Providing case management services to participants to ensure they are getting the most from Five Keys EAT! educational services and moving towards starting and operating their own small farms
• Assisting with farming operations and providing on-farm mentorship to all apprenticeship students
• Assisting with land and facility management and maintenance
• Staffing and public engagement at the Ecological Agriculture Training Cultural Center
• As needed, performing administrative duties to ensure appropriate program management and data collection/retention
• Speaking in public settings to promote and recruit students to the program and to report on the program’s progress
• Other duties as-needed/assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• The ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Advance knowledge of digital/technology/multimedia Integration
• Comfortable using the following in a functional capacity:
• Google Suite of Programs—Gmail/Docs/Sheets/Forms/Etc.
• Microsoft Office—Word/PowerPoint/Excel/Etc.
• Smartphone applications including text/email/etc.
• Social Media—functional skills including Instagram/Facebook/etc.
• YouTube and other digital media applications
• Proficient at the use of hand tools, equipment and machines related to agriculture in a safe manner
• Willingness to learn/develop skills related to Ag Equipment/Tools/Machines/Etc.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Instructional/facilitation/mentorship experience
• 3-5 Years of hands-on agriculture/farming experience that may include:
• Paid/volunteer experiences spent engaged in farming
• Time spent running/working on your own farm
• Time spent in an instructional/facilitator role related to farming/agriculture

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• To promote the health and safety of its employees, those we serve and our local communities, Five Keys requires that all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or adhere to all weekly testing and safety measures. Employees may also request and receive approval for an exemption from this policy. Exemptions are granted to accommodate a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief
• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed
• Frequent talking and hearing conversations
• Long periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer station
• Performing farmwork, land maintenance, and site maintenance tasks
• Lifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs. or more; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• The Ecological Agriculture Training Cultural Center & Farm is an operating farmer training center/program characterized by certain inherent hazards and risks that may include snakes, poison oak, venomous insects, open excavations, rough terrain, loose rocks, tripping hazards
• The EAT! Farm employs Organic and Regenerative Agricultural Practices, and therefore does not use any chemicals on crops which are not certified organic—our environment is meant to be safe for the farmer, the public, and the consumer of products grown
• Hand Tool usage including:
• Agricultural-Related Hand Tools—Hoes, Shovels, Rakes, Etc.
• General Hand Tools–Hammers, Wrenches, Pliers, Etc.
• Safety + Operational Training provided as-needed
• Operation of electric & gas-powered tools/equipment including:
• Gas-Powered Weed Abatement Machines/Tools—handheld or walk-behind
• Tractor
• Drills/Saws/Etc.
• Chainsaw
• Others as needed
• Safety + Operational Training will be provided
• Operation/Maintenance of tools may involve the use of:
• Diesel or Unleaded Fuel
• Petroleum Oils related to gas-powered equipment
• Weather variation is expected as work is often performed in outdoor conditions which range from cold weather in the winter–including 32 degrees, rain, hail, etc., and hot conditions in the summer when temperatures may be in excess of 100 degrees
• Locations where farm instruction and classes are given may vary, and include outdoor and indoor environments–some of which may be improvised based on location & availability of resources
• Moderate to high noise level, including noise caused by the use of tools and machinery
• Work environment may vary from site to site
• Must be willing and able to work on the farm and teach in a classroom setting
• The position is based in Norco, California. Must be willing and able to travel throughout Southern California as needed

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).

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