Greenwich Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school with a current enrollment of 1300 students in grades N-12, and a faculty and staff of 340. The original Old Church Road campus is home to grades N-8, and the new High School (9-12) campus, where phase II construction is on track for August 2021 completion, is located less than two miles away on Stanwich Road. In addition to our two campuses, GCDS’ French Farm, located one mile from Old Church Road, provides hands-on learning opportunities for students. 

Founded in 1926, Greenwich Country Day School is a family school where innovative teaching is encouraged as teachers model and foster a love of learning, challenge and inspire children toward academic excellence, and cultivate students’ interests and talents outside of the classroom. We value purposeful and personal learning in a joyful environment, with emphasis on the development of character, creativity, and a sense of personal value along with strong academic skills. GCDS is committed to graduating ethical, confident leaders who possess a strong sense of purpose.

GCDS is fortunate to have built a large endowment which helps to fund competitive salaries and benefits,  including a robust professional development program and reimbursement for graduate school tuition. GCDS offers a substantial need-based financial aid program to support students from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. Diversity is a core value at GCDS, and we seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion. GCDS is pleased to offer transportation support and accommodations, as needed, along with an introduction to the local area, for those candidates who travel from outside of the region for on-campus employment interviews.

GCDS acquired the historic, 110-year old, four acre French Farm in 2019. The farm campus provides a unique venue for GCDS students to enjoy outdoor, interdisciplinary, project-based learning in a magical setting. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Farm includes: 

• A botanical garden including many specimens also found in the NY Botanical Gardens
• A dairy, hen house, and sheepfold for small scale animal husbandry
• A working greenhouse, cold frames, raised bed gardens, root cellar and kitchen for food production and farm-to-table
• Numerous artistic and natural treasures including grinding stones, minerals, and petrified wood specimens

Greenwich Country Day School seeks a Farm Manager to live and work on its French Farm Campus at 516 Lake Avenue in Greenwich, CT, to start August, 2021. This is a housed, 12-month/year  position requiring knowledge of and demonstrated experience in areas including buildings and grounds, farm-to-table, teaching, and community-building. The Farm Manager will be a caring steward of the property through administrative oversight and hands on care of animals and completion of repairs or improvements. The Farm Manager will also inspire teachers with ideas for new curriculum, host visitors, and create meaningful project based learning experiences for students.  Successful candidates will possess deep knowledge of and a passion for sustainability, the ability to communicate effectively to educate and inspire across constituencies, a dedication to collaboration, and a creative and flexible approach to sharing knowledge. GCDS is looking to engage with candidates who employ an entrepreneurial mindset and would bring that skillset to the management of the farm and related programming.

Responsibilities Include:

• Oversee property, animals, and food production, coordinating coverage during vacation, absences, etc. 
• Recognize farm needs and opportunities
• Perform daily upkeep including animal care, seasonal weeding, and ad hoc needs
• Manage landscape, working with tree and other vendors for large scale maintenance
• Manage farm budget and supplies
• Create and manage farm Calendar
• Collaborate with Dining staff, Faculty Coordinators, and gardening volunteers on planting plans, greenhouse/cold frame/raised bed use
• Support kitchen classroom use and catering
• Work with faculty coordinators to create curriculum; generate ideas, seasonal opportunities, and provide and maintain resources
• Assist in the teaching of lessons
• Act as  ‘the face of the farm by welcoming groups, giving tours and hosting events
• Build community among volunteers, residents, and GCDS families
• Collaborate in the creation and oversight of N-8 ‘signature’ educational experiences at French Farm
• Work closely with the Director of Sustainability in support of the GCDS Communications team’s efforts to promote the visibility of French Farm
• Experience in and desire to build culture and community with both adults and students 

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years working with K-12 students
• A minimum of years of hands-on farm management or maintenance experience
• Willingness to take on multiple, varied responsibilities, including manual labor
• Commitment to the values of ecosystem health and sustainability
• Demonstrated professional and personal commitment to and vision of a more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future
• Ability to perform ‘light’ construction (e.g. building a sheepfold, repairing fences, transforming a  hayloft into a weaving space)
• Interact in a professional manner to represent GCDS in working with vendors, volunteers, experts, and guests
• Knowledge of food agriculture and preparation
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about farm animal care
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate with faculty, staff, volunteers and partner organizations
• Ability to form a vision to imagine French Farm’s evolution over time
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive community
• Personal traits appropriate for nurturing the growth of children - must be energetic, creative, flexible, patient, and have an inexhaustible sense of humor

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior teaching experience with this age group
• Demonstrated experience in establishing collaborative relationships with external partners/organizations in the design and implementation of learning experiences

Interested candidates are invited to use the link provided to send a cover letter and resume to:

Susan Fahey Khanna, Director of Human Resources

https://greenwichcountrydayschool.applytojob.com/apply/LOYvTmeLlo/Farm-Manager?source=NAIS