Careers
Nothing currently available – but check back soon as we grow our village often.
Openings
U-Pick Associate
REPORTS TO: Director of Engagement, Farm Stand Manager, Front of House Manager
LOCATION: The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano
POSITION TYPE: Seasonal, PT (March – June)
TRAVEL: (No travel)
JOB SUMMARY:
As a U-Pick Associate, you will play an integral role in overseeing the guest’s farm experience. This individual will help run the 4x/week U-Pick experiences on the farm (Thurs-Sun) from 9:00am-1:30pm. This role includes greeting guests/check-in, transacting check-outs, setting up the space, leading educational activities pertaining to U-Pick, and break down.
COMMITMENTS & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Willingness to uphold our company values
- Possesses the ability to collaborate and make decisions with teammates
- Possesses the ability to lead
- Thrives in an agile and emergent environment
- Takes personal responsibility and possesses a curious mindset
- Takes initiative to proactively communicate
- Willingness to uphold our ongoing efforts toward diversity, equality, and inclusion
- Ensures a safe workplace and addresses safety issues as they arise
- Maintain a professional work environment that fosters a collaborative team spirit with respect for each individual
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience: Experience working in the retail/educational space, with customer service background
- Physical Requirements: Ability to safely lift moderately heavy equipment and boxes (a minimum of 35 lbs.) and operate equipment within safety standards
- Weekend Availability: Must be able to work weekends
COMPENSATION: $17/hr
Email resumes and cover letter to [email protected] with “U-Pick Associate Application” as the email subject.
Lead Educator – “Rad! Traditions” & “EcoTots”
DEPARTMENT: Education
REPORTS TO: Gregory Foster, Education Director
LOCATION: “Rad! Traditions” Zones: Children’s Garden, Farm, Culinary, EcoTots, Farm Lab, Seed and Soil Lab, Courtyard @ The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano
POSITION TYPE: (Full-Time Hourly Employee) Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:00 to 6:30 Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 to 5:00
TRAVEL: (No travel)
SUPERVISES: (Afternoon Support Teachers, Rad! Traditions Instructors, Volunteers)
KEY COLLABORATORS: Gregory Foster, Education Team, Farm Team, Engagement Team, Marketing Team, Culinary Team, Support and Specialty Teachers
JOB SUMMARY:
The Program Manager: “Rad! Traditions” oversees all aspects of “Rad! Traditions” education courses for children and adults, including after school programs, Farm Raised, festivals, and adult “backyard skills” workshops. This position also serves as a key support to the EcoTots program. This involves four main responsibilities: caring for the aesthetics of the grounds, participation in the planning and preparation of the course curriculum, promoting and publishing the courses to garner interest and enrollment, ensuring the smooth and safe running of the programs. We strive to be worthy of imitation. Interactions with children are to be imbued with warmth, joy, positivity and meaning to best impart our organizational values. Parent communication about the “Rad! Traditions” program and The Ecology Center’s values require the strength to impart clear assurances with enthusiasm, tact and confidence. A thorough understanding of the safety regulations and practices (physical, psychological and emotional) associated with each class is necessary. Responsibilities for the adult “Rad! Traditions” programs require impeccable professionalism, friendly and responsive customer service, and a firm commitment to upholding the aesthetics and presentation of all workspaces.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
● Education: Preference for those who either have formal education and/or hands-on experience in the field of education. Experience with farming or gardening and a passion for environmental activism is a must.
● Experience: 5 years or more experience working with children and parents in an educational setting, 5 years or more experience with public speaking, 2 years or more experience with customer service, experience with writing and editing copy a plus.
● License or Certification: ORI Certifix Live Scan
● Specialized Skills: Budgeting and finance experience is a plus. Organizational skills and ability to set priorities is a must.
● Physical Requirements: Ability to safely lift moderately heavy furniture and equipment (a minimum of 35 lbs.)
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
● Takes initiative to proactively communicate with parents, colleagues and instructors
● Willingness to uphold our company values
● Possesses the ability to collaborate and make decisions with diverse teammates
● Thrives in an agile and emergent environment
● Takes personal responsibility and possesses a curious mindset
● Willingness to uphold our ongoing efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion
● Ensures a safe workplace for children and adults: physical, mental and emotional
● Addresses safety and health issues as they arise
● Maintain a professional work environment that fosters a collaborative team spirit with respect for each individual: child or adult
● Plans and publishes a Program Calendar for each upcoming year
PROGRAM- SPECIFIC
● Ensure short and long-term goals, objectives and plans are met, subject to approval by the Education Director or Executive Director
● Works collaboratively with the Education Director to execute the vision and strategic plans for the “Rad! Traditions” program, field trips and EcoTots.
● Provide the Rad! Traditions staff and instructors with guidance, direction, and support to execute approved initiatives consistent with TEC’s established goals, policies, and values
● Keep the Education Director informed about important developments in real-time: to include parent concerns, child safety issues, staff concerns, process deviations, student behavioral issues, enrollment concerns, administrative concerns, etc.
● Reviews, edit and publish copy for promotional or informational purposes including: Program Calendar, Course Descriptions, Curriculum Guide, Grant and Donor Reports, Marketing Materials
● Responds to Education Director emails, phone calls and work related text messages in a timely manner
● Responds to parent or client emails, phone calls or phone messages in a timely manner
● Establish short and long-term goals, objectives and plans, subject to approval by the Education Director
● Work with the Education Director to plan, coordinate, and control the daily operation of “Rad! Traditions”, festivals and field trips
● Work to further develop, promote and embody the Education Department’s culture of joy and positivity.
● Represent The Education Department’s core values to other TEC departments, colleagues and collaborators as well as the general public
● This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees will also perform other “Rad! Traditions” related duties as assigned by Gregory Foster and/or his/her designee.
NON-PROGRAM SPECIFIC
● Acts as a liaison between Culinary Department and Education Department to ensure effective and efficient cross departmental communication and partnership. This includes helping with the coordination of volunteers for specific events and programs.
● Acts as a liaison between Farm Operations and Education Department to ensure effective and efficient cross departmental communication and partnership. This includes helping with the coordination of volunteers for specific events and programs.
● Acts as a liaison between the Community Engagement Department and Education Department to ensure effective and efficient cross departmental communication and partnership. This includes helping with the coordination of volunteers for specific events and programs.
WORKFLOW
Tuesdays
- Support and check-in with EcoTots Field Trips
- Grounding and preparation for the week ahead
- Coordinating Rad! Traditions
- Parent reminders
- Instructor check-in
- Curriculum planning and coordinating
- Coordinating Rad! Traditions
- EcoTots Field Trip Coordinating
- Correspondence with visiting schools or parents
- Payment and invoice tracking
- Staffing and curriculum setting
- Rad! Traditions Program
Wednesdays
- Support and check-in with EcoTots
- Farm Raised, Rad! Traditions planning and execution
- Rad! Traditions Program
Thursdays
- Support and check-in with EcoTots
- Rad! Traditions Program
- Field Trip Offense and Marketing needs
Fridays
- EcoTots Support(9-12)
- Education Team Meeting (1-2:30)
- Rad! Traditions Program (3:30-5:30)
Saturdays
- EcoTots Support (9-1pm)
- Seasonal – Festivals
- Adult Workshops (TBD)
COMPENSATION: Hourly based on experience. Range ($18 to $24.50) For those interested in applying, please email a relevant cover letter and resume to [email protected].
Front of House Associate
DEPARTMENT: Education
REPORTS TO: Farm Stand Manager, Front of House Manager
LOCATION: San Juan Capistrano, CA
POSITION TYPE: Seasonal, Part Time (March-September)
PAY: $17/hr
JOB SUMMARY:
Join our team at The Ecology Center as a Front of House Associate. In this role you will play an integral part in overseeing the customer journey and experience. In this role you will have a full understanding of the importance of providing a frictionless hospitality experience and positive first impression for our community. You understand that every team member knows that their work and space impacts the guest experience. The Farm Stand is considered the front door of our organization, and you will be one of the first touch points for our community, helping to shape a positive and engaging experience for every customer. The FOH Associate will be knowledgeable on the standard operating procedures for dinner service at The Ecology Center and withhold the highest standards of guest service.
ABOUT THIS ROLE:
- Split role between exceptional guest service for dinners/events and cashiering in the Farm Stand
- Maintains opening and closing operations by following the TEC policies and procedures
- Balances cash drawer at the beginning or end of a shift (Farm stand)
- Supports and acts out the daily/weekly/monthly tasks, goals and mission set by management
- Takes ownership of the guest facing spaces
- Able to communicate effectively and share information with customers about programming and events happening on the farm
COMMITMENTS & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Willingness to uphold our company values
- Possesses the ability to collaborate and make decisions with teammates
- Thrives in an agile and emergent environment
- Takes personal responsibility and possesses a curious mindset
- Willingness to uphold our ongoing efforts toward diversity, equality, and inclusion
- Maintain a professional work environment that fosters a collaborative team spirit
YOU ARE:
- Positive with a friendly, upbeat attitude
- Highly self-motivated with an entrepreneurial spirit
- Empathetic to your team and the guest
- A catalyst for positive change for humans and the environment
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience: A minimum of 3 years retail sales, service or related customer facing experience. Barista and Specialty Coffee experience +++
- Requirement: Must be able to serve alcoholic beverages
- License or Certification: Valid Driver’s License, Food Handlers (Preferred), CPR (Preferred)
- Specialized Skills: Email, Slack, Point of Sales
- Physical Requirements: Ability to safely lift moderately heavy equipment and boxes (a minimum of 35 lbs.) and operate equipment within safety standards
- Weekend Availability: Must be able to work weekends
Email resumes and cover letter’s to [email protected] (Farm Stand Manager)
CC: [email protected] (Front of House Manager) with “FOH Associate Application” as the email subject.