The Opportunity.

The role of the Children’s Program Assistant is to work on children’s programming and special events at Powisset Farm and Rocky Woods Reservation, including children’s cooking classes, nature and farm-based classes, afterschool series, school vacation programs and birthday parties. The Children’s Program Assistant will work with pre-school through middle-school aged children. The role usually assists an educator or program lead; on occasion the Children’s Program Assistant will run a small event.

The position is part time, year-round, often on weekends, evenings, and holidays. The Children’s Program Assistant is responsible for assisting with onsite execution of public programs and private events throughout the farm or nature property. Tasks may range from event set up (moving tables and chairs) organization and décor, greeting/checking-in participants upon arrival, assisting with classes (material set-up and break-down), selling memberships and providing membership information to visitors, accessing guest lists from Trustees software, and more. At all events and programs, the Children’s Program Assistant will educate and encourage visitors to support The Trustees through a variety of outlets. Children’s events and programming are farm-based or nature-based; a significant amount of programming occurs outdoors.

In This Role You Will:

• Assist Educator, Program Lead or other managers with event set up such as moving tables & chairs, decorating, and providing Trustees marketing and educational material.

• Lead smaller programs and events independently.

• Assist instructors with classes (including cooking classes), workshops and programs.

• Assist with private events (school trips, birthday parties, scout programs) and liaise with private lessees on site.

• Educate visitors about The Trustees mission and value of membership; sell memberships on site using Acme software.

• Greet and/or check-in visitors upon arrival and orient them to the property; provide exceptional customer service by answering questions, problem solving, and directing visitors, as needed.

• Be familiar with and enforce property rules and regulations.

• Keep event areas organized, clean, and orderly to deliver a positive visitor experience.

• Assist with managing social media postings before, during, and after events.

• Use basic computer skills and have the ability to learn new systems, including processing credit card transactions using Shopify and logging hours using Paycom.

• Communicate regularly with staff to report safety concerns, incidents, maintenance needs, and program assessment.

Qualifications:

• Outgoing, friendly, enthusiastic; must enjoy working with the public, especially children and families.

• Experience or a background working within natural or farm settings, culinary environments, nature education, ecology and farm animals preferred.

• Experience working with children in educational or recreational settings.

• Responsible and committed, with exceptional attention to detail and safety.

• Available to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.

• Articulate, confident, and calm when confronted by uncooperative visitors and when handling emergencies.

• Ability to work independently.

• CPR & First Aid certification desirable.

• Committed to the mission of The Trustees.

• Committed to a great visitor experience and sharing the excitement of Powisset Farm and Rocky Woods.

Other:

• Background check required

• Flexibility to work nights and weekends is required.

Working Conditions:

• Variable outdoor weather conditions.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds required.

About The Trustees:

The Trustees places are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. We are a non-profit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households

Our seasonal staff plays an integral role in ensuring that our visitors enjoy our extraordinary places. Every season brings an influx of visitors of all ages and backgrounds who want to explore and be inspired by our properties. Sandy beaches, wooded trails, cultural gardens, historic homes, community supported agriculture—there are many ways for visitors to discover and explore The Trustees, and just as many opportunities for seasonal employees to make each visitor’s experience special.

The Trustees offers competitive compensation, as well as the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

Our commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity