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Current Openings

There are lots of ways to get involved at Hawthorne Valley Farm and we welcome your inquiries!

Full-time Positions

  • Residential Farm and Nature Educator / Summer Camp Director

    The Hawthorne Valley Farm Visiting Students and Summer Camp Program seek a Residential Farm and Nature Educator. The major emphasis of this position is responsibility for all operations of our small, residential, six-week summer camp program for ages 8 to 15 (with the assistance of five full-time and twelve seasonal employees).  During the rest of the year, the person filling this position will assist in the running of our school year program. This program is an integral part of Hawthorne Valley Association. We are located on a 400 acre Biodynamic farm in central Columbia County, New York.

    Desired Qualifications:

    • Sleep away camp management experience
    • A minimum of 3 years of educator experience in the field of residential farm and nature education and/or outdoor education
    • Practical farm animal and garden experience and knowledge
    • Experience in hiring, supervising and training staff to lead program activities
    • Ability to mentor and coach all camp staff
    • Strong communication and organizational skills required to carry out the daily and seasonal educational programming needs
    • Experience in leading hands-on children activities
    • Experience in Waldorf education and Biodynamic farming
    • A personal passion, energy, and drive to enthusiastically run summer camp and work with children

    Specific Responsibilities:

    • Manage all aspects of a six-week sleep away summer camp on the farm for ages 8 to 15
    • Provide a nurturing, responsive environment to campers, visiting school children and their teachers and chaperones
    • Hire, train, supervise, mentor and coach seasonal staff members
    • Summer camp budget oversight
    • Perform necessary background work to insure smooth running of programs, including animal care, facilities oversight, outreach to parents and teachers, and coordinating with other Hawthorne Valley Association endeavors.
    • Carry out seasonal and place-based residential farm and nature activities
    • Create and perform outreach and recruitment strategies to ensure full camp sessions
    • Live on campus in program provide year round housing facility
    • Be available to address after-hours program needs including weekends

    Compensation is based on experience and includes housing, health insurance package, paid vacation, holidays, personal and sick leave. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and contact information for three work references to via e-mail or fax to 518-672-7608 or mail to:  Hawthorne Valley Farm, Main House, 327 Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075  Attn:  Helen.

    For more information, please call 518-672-4790 or visit the following pages of this website: Visiting Students Program, Overnight Summer Camp, Farm Based Learning.
     

  • Dining Hall Manager

    Hawthorne Valley Farm Visiting Students and Summer Camp Programs is looking for a full-time Dining Hall Manager. Our programs and educational methods are based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Each week during the school year, classes ranging from 18 to 40 students will participate in our five day residential program. Our overnight Farm Camps operate from mid-June to mid-August.

    Meals made from fresh organic and Biodynamic ingredients are an integral part of our residential program. The Dining Hall Manager is responsible for providing three meals and two snacks each day to the children and staff. We emphasize the use of local produce and seasonal recipes. Meals are served family-style.

    Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Managing all operations of the dining facility (75 seating capacity); preparing vegetarian meals; hiring/supervising/training kitchen staff for camp; purchasing food/paper products while adhering to a budget; performing cooking activities with children; performing effective sanitation according to the regulations of the NY State Health Department; maintaining strong relationships with local growers.

    Qualifications: Minimum of two years of experience cooking in a high volume food service operation with some supervisory experience.  Four years preferred.  Experience working with children.  Required age: 21 or older.  Excellent communication and people skills with the ability to work independently in a collaborative team environment are required.  The love of cooking is essential.

    Compensation: This is a full-time salaried position which is based on the level of experience and includes health benefits and paid vacation. Position will require working some weekends especially during the summer months. This is an immediate opening and will remain available until the right candidate is found.

    Please send cover letter, resume and contact information for three work references to: Helen Enright via e-mail or via post to:

    Hawthorne Valley Farm Main House
    ATT: Helen Enright
    327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY  12075 

  • Baker

    HAWTHORNE VALLEY FARM BAKERY, Ghent NY is looking for a full-time experienced Baker to join its expanding operations.  Our bakery produces a diverse line of certified organic artisan breads and pastries and mills organic grains on premise to produce superior quality breads.  The Baker works in conjunction with the Bakery Production Supervisor and our team of bakers.

    Ideal candidates will have a:
    • minimum of five years of professional baking experience.
    • thorough knowledge of pre-ferments and sourdoughs, and be skilled in the mixing, kneading, and hand-crafting of traditional breads and pastries.
    • knowledge of all aspects of high volume production including baking times and temperatures of a variety of baked goods, the materials and techniques used in volume production, food sanitation principles and the ability to operate sophisticated bakery equipment.
    • strong communication and organizational skills base.

    Our Bakery sells its product line at its stand at New York City's renowned Union Square Green Market, our Farm Store and through other regional markets. Our bakery is located in Harlemville, NY about 35 miles southeast of Albany, 20 minutes from Hudson, New York and the Southern Berkshires of Massachusetts and 2.5 hours from New York City.

    Candidates must have the ability to do manual work in a production environment, be able to lift 50 pounds, stand for an 8-hour shift and be able to meet flexible hours and shifts according to production needs.  Please visit www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org to learn more about our farm.  This is a full-time, permanent position; hourly wage is negotiable and based on experience, excellent benefits package.

    Position is available immediately, EOE, please send resume via e-mail by clicking here.

     

Part-time/Summer Jobs

  • Nurse/House Parent Postion

    This person is responsible for the medical needs and well-being of up to 45 campers ages 8 to 15 and 25 counselors and permanent staff members per session of camp. Along with typical camp nursing duties this position is also responsible for daily household chores (laundry, etc.), maintenance of an old farm house, and directing the flow of children to and from activities. This position supports and reports to the Camp Director.

    Qualification and Requirements:

    Licensed RN and available to work for 7 weeks, June 25 to August 12. Applicant should have prior working experience with children, be a responsible and hard-working team player, with a friendly, nurturing bedside manner, strong assessment abilities, and confidence in own nursing skills. A familiarity with an anthroposophical approach to child wellness is helpful but not required. A love of nature and farming is a plus. New nursing graduates are welcomed.

    The Nurse/House Parent salary is based on experience with a range starting at $5,000, plus room and board.

    For more information, please contact Helen.

    Responsibilities:

    Dispense meds, homeopathic remedies, dietary supplements, administer first aid for minor injuries, ensure the health and safety of campers and staff, daily sick calls, weekly health checks, communicating specific camper health needs (allergies, special diets) to staff, medical record keeping, liaison with state health department, local doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, communicate with parents, accompany sick/injured campers or staff to the hospital or to medical appointments. Be a "summer mom/dad" to our campers, direct children to and from activities ensuring the proper attire is worn, wake up children, comfort homesick children, water plants, monitor staffing requirements, and when time permits participate in camp activities and events.

    Start date: Monday, June 25, 2012

Internships

Internships refer to fixed-length opportunities in the realm of farm-based education. Current opportunities include:

  • Internships

    For information on internships at Hawthorne Valley Farm, please click here.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships refer to fixed-length opportunities in the realm of food production and food enterprise. This includes traditional vegetable and livestock apprenticeships as well as structured learning opportunities in the bakery, creamery, and kraut cellar. Current opportunities include:

  • Apprenticeships 2012

    All apprenticeship positions are filled for the 2012 season. We will begin reviewing applications for the 2013 season in August. 

Camp Counselors

  • Summer Camp Counselors

    For information on summer camp counselor positions, please click here.

Camp Assistants

  • Camp Assistants

    For information on Camp Assistant positions, please click here.

327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075 | 518-672-7500 | Email: Info