Food & Farm Activity Specialist
Harlem Grown
Summary
The Food and Farm Activity Specialist plays a key role in Harlem Grown’s DYCD COMPASS after-school and summer programs by designing and leading engaging, hands-on activities related to food and farm education. This person is a self-starter and excited to bring their food, gardening, or STEM teaching background to our K-5th grade participants. The Food and Farm Activity Specialist will work closely with Group Leaders, Youth Workers, Program Manager, and other Harlem Grown staff to ensure that programs are safe, educational, and fun. Through interactive lessons, creative projects, and real-world connections, the Food and Farm Activity Specialist supports Harlem Grown’s mission to inspire youth through urban farming, wellness, and environmental stewardship.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Minimum 2 years of experience teaching, coaching, or facilitating programs with children under age 13 years.
- Demonstrated expertise in content areas related to food, gardening, STEM education
- Ability to engage and motivate youth across grades K–5.
- Strong classroom management and communication skills.
- Comfort working outdoors and doing hands on garden work
- Ability to bend, kneel, and lift up to 50lbs of gardening and programming supplies
- Energetic, reliable, and team-oriented; able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Commitment to Harlem Grown’s mission.
- Meet OCFS background check requirements.
Preferred
- Strong connection to Harlem or similar urban communities.
- Associate’s degree in education, youth development, social work, or related field.
- Familiarity with DYCD COMPASS program standards and OCFS SACC regulations.
- Experience integrating sustainability, urban farming, or nutrition education into instruction.
- Bilingual (Spanish fluency a plus)
Duties
Program Delivery & Youth Engagement
- Plan and lead/co-lead engaging, standards-aligned STEM activities rooted in food, farming, sustainability, nutrition, wellness, cooking, and environmental education.
- Review, annotate, and modify Harlem Grown’s curriculum to ensure lessons are accessible, engaging, and responsive to the needs, interests, and abilities of participants.
- Provide active supervision of participants during all program activities, transitions, meals, field trips, and dismissal to ensure youth safety and engagement.
- Collaborate with Group Leaders and Program Management to ensure activities are well-organized and aligned with program goals.
- Maintain child safety and classroom management
- Build strong relationships with youth and their families and contribute to a supportive program space
- Follow and model a positive behavior management approach that promotes guidance, reinforces Harlem Grown’s values, and supports a respectful, nurturing environment.
- Participate in training and professional development sessions.
Program Implementation
- Work with the Program Leadership Team to align activities with overall curriculum goals.
- Assist with preparation, setup, and cleanup for daily programming.
- Maintain a safe, structured, and engaging program environment by adhering to Harlem Grown’s internal protocols, DYCD requirements, and all relevant health and safety guidelines.
- Maintain accurate daily attendance records for all participants, ensuring timely entry, tracking, and follow up
- Participate in staff meetings, training, and program events.
- Represent Harlem Grown at community events, school visits, or farm-based learning experiences.
- Support data collection, reflection, and continuous improvement efforts as directed by program leadership.
- Other duties as assigned
