Education Volunteer - Weir River Farm and World's End

Opportunity Overview
Our community farms offer many opportunities for families to experience total sensory learning while also engaging with the working mechanics of a farm. Weir River Farm is a leader in farm-based and environmental education with programs that engage and inspire the next generation to love nature and learn about local farms, animals, food and the environment. Weir River Farm is home to goats, sheep, cows and many other livestock as well as many ecological wonders.
 
World’s End comprises four coastal drumlins — spoon-shaped hills formed by glaciers — extending into Hingham Harbor. This special place was once designed for a home residential subdivision in the 1890s, and while the drives were cut, the development never came to fruition. The miles of carriage and footpaths are maintained to that original design, creating a unique and beautiful landscape. World’s End provides a variety of habitats, including woodlands, fields, saltmarsh and beach for learners of all ages to explore.

The Engagement Team is seeking enthusiastic Education Volunteers to assist in teaching outdoor field trips for students grades pre-k through 12. The Education Volunteers will supervise students while leading sections of field trip excursions and educating in life science topics aligned with Massachusetts NGSS. Education Volunteers will lead groups on hiking trails, search the seashore, and explore our barnyard with our farm animals. Responsibilities will include engaging with classroom teachers and students, as well as coordinating with co-educators. The Education Volunteers will participate in a training on lesson content, and site-specific resources will be provided, prior to teaching.
 
Reports to: Engagement Manager and Education Manager

Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.

• If you are not feeling well, please stay home
• If you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or someone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home
• For our most current Covid-19 updates, please visit our main Trustees site

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Deliver engaging, hands-on farm and coastal environmental programming
• Work with the Education Manager to plan activities, program components, and logistics to ensure a high level of program satisfaction
• Execute program both independently and alongside Education and Engagement team
• Employ risk management best-practices in development and execution of all educational programming
• Community outreach and engaging with volunteers
• Logging volunteer hours weekly

Qualifications:

• Experience working with youth as a camp counselor, tutor, or teacher is strongly desirable
• Group management skills preferred
• Enthusiasm and good humor working with children necessary
• Ability to lead and teach outdoors, including navigating hilly terrain
• Comfortable being outdoors in variable weather for hours at a time necessary
• Knowledge of local wildlife, sustainable agriculture, environmental science, ecology, natural history, or food systems (any or all desired but not required)
• Comfortable working with or around animals such as goats, sheep, and chickens preferred
• Able to work independently and with groups
• Able to lift 20 lbs
• Minimum Age: 18.
• Please note: a background check is required for this role

Time Commitment:
The ideal candidate will be available minimum 3 hours per week, up to 12 hours per week in the fall, with potential for extended hours this coming spring. Opportunities to volunteer with other educational programs and events throughout the year may arise. 
 
For more information:
Contact the Volunteer Services Team at [email protected]

To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
 
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 116 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.
 
Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.
 
The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.