Job Openings

Slide Ranch currently has three job openings:

1) Director of Strategic Development and Major Gifts
2) Head Gardener (scroll down)
3) Summer Teacher-in-Residence internships (scroll down)

Position #1: Director of Strategic Development and Major Gifts
Salary: $70,000/year contract position
Part-time: .80 FTE
Location:  Muir Beach, California 
Reports to: Executive Director

Slide Ranch Background: Founded in 1970, Slide Ranch is a non-profit teaching farm located at a historic coastal dairy perched above the ocean in the Marin Headlands within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).  Slide Ranch offers a unique farm and food education program that connects school children and other visitors with the natural processes that support life on Earth.  Its rustic facilities including a turn of the century farmhouse, old creamery and several outbuildings situated along a scenic coastal bluff.  Organic gardens, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks, along with numerous coastal trails, tide-pools and pocket beaches, provide an ideal outdoor venue for teaching about healthy foods, healthy living and environmental awareness. 

Slide Ranch Programs bring learning to life with hands-on education activities on a working farm.  Slide Ranch uses its organic gardens and animals to teach an appreciation of where fresh healthy food comes from, and to inspire a lifestyle that includes healthy food, exercise, and an appreciation for sustainable use of natural resources. 

Slide Ranch inspires visitors to discover the connections between the food we eat and the natural elements that nourish all living things. Our outdoor classroom ignites ongoing learning and provides a place to reflect on the impact our individual and collective choices have on the environment, food and health. 

Development Goals:  Slide Ranch has enjoyed the support of thousands of donors for more than 40 years, including individuals, foundations and corporations.  The 2012 budget projects $600,000 in contributions income and $345,000 in earned income (e.g. program fees, site rentals, merchandise).  In 2012, several development initiatives will enhance our capacity to support the Slide Ranch program and grow our organization while providing dynamic opportunities for a skilled development professional.

Position Summary: The Director of Strategic Development will increase the capacity of Slide Ranch to win larger and more consistent gifts and move to a stronger financial position by elevating the well-established work and body of knowledge at Slide Ranch to a higher level of credibility and prestige.  With new fundraising priorities and a focus on broadening and increasing funding from individuals, corporate and foundation sources, this position will play a key role with all aspects of donor cultivation, solicitation and recognition.   For the right applicant, this is a terrific opportunity to leverage public interest in children’s health, nutrition and development and see results on site. 

Areas of focus:

• Capital campaign to fund the rebuilding of the Slide Ranch Commons with special focus on new program-oriented spaces on the ground floor of the new building.  These spaces will be designed to enhance the educational experience of children and families and heighten the relevance of the Slide Ranch program.   Each of the spaces and their educational components will provide new funding and naming opportunities.    For this, we will need to attract new major donors and foundations as well as cultivating existing donors.   The goal for the Campaign for the Commons is to raise $150,000 in 2012. Construction starts in January, 2012; 65% of the project budget has been secured.

Program areas in the renovated Commons will include:

• Displays of garden tools, seeds and other farm and food-related materials.   
• Interactive media with connection to the Internet for graphic demonstration of information and research on organic farming, factory farming, food packaging and related topics
• A library of books, charts and graphic materials related to farming, food, health and the environment
• Adjunct to this project, we hope to improve accessibility on Ranch grounds for people in wheelchairs and others with mobility challenges; 

• Assessment and evaluation of existing relationships with major donors to determine which ones have the greatest potential for cultivation
• Assist in the drafting of a strategic marketing and communications plan to support fundraising objectives
• Launch of “Gratitude Rock,” a celebration/memorial/legacy garden that includes tiles dedicated to people and organizations who have had significant connections with Slide Ranch.  Located in a native plant vista dell overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the garden will include a life-sized profile of Brian O’Neill who was General Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area for 23 years.
• Development around strategic partnerships with other organizations.  As we continue to host key schools and human welfare groups like Hamilton Family Center, Girls Inc, Larkin Street Youth Services, Home Away From Homelessness, we want to find ways to connect them more deeply with our work – both on and off site.   
• Corporate sponsorships of new initiatives and capital projects

Primary Responsibilities:

• Actively lead  strategic development of major gifts, producing results on schedule
• Work closely with the Executive Director and members of the Board to identify and cultivate and deepen relationships with existing major donors and build relationships with prospective major donors
• Organize and manage database records of major donor prospects
• Secure meetings, site tours and phone calls with prospects and prepare appropriate solicitation materials;
• Actively participate in preparations for fundraising and donor recognition events;
• Conduct research for individual, corporate and foundation donor prospects;
• Assist development manager with the writing of grant proposals and follow up reports;         
• Work closely with Executive Director and Development Manager to create a strategic marketing and communication plan
• Other duties as assigned by Executive Director including attendance at public events as a Slide Ranch representative.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; 
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the field of development / fundraising and cultivating major gifts required; 
• Superior written and oral communication skills; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Demonstrated ability to identify and secure funds from major donors by enhancing established relationships with donors, Board members and volunteers;
• Ability to represent Slide Ranch to the general public;
• Ability to work productively and adhere to project deadlines;
• Willingness to work with sense of humor in small workspace;
• Knowledge of environmental education and sustainable agriculture a plus;
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Filemaker or equivalent donor management software.

Benefits: Spectacular coastal location for work 25 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  This is an exempt, part-time position with a benefits package that includes health and dental benefits, option to contribute before taxes to a retirement plan, vacation/holiday/sick pay.
Start Date: Early 2012; Open until filled.
To Apply: Please mail, email, resume with cover letter and 3 references with contact information by January 4, 2012 to Slide Ranch, 2025 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach CA 94965, email charles dot higgins at slideranch.org,  For more information about our programs, please visit www.slideranch.org.  If you have questions, you may email to charles dot higgins at slideranch.org.

*Please note: Slide Ranch emphasizes diversity in both our programs and our staff.  Slide Ranch does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, economic status, sexual orientation, family status or any other personal attribute.

Position #2: Head Gardener
Reports to:   Director of Ranch Operations
Available :   Open until filled
Residence:   One bedroom house
Compensation:  $17-$19,000/ year + housing, health benefits, food
Position:         Full Time, Resident position

Position Summary: The Head Gardener reports to the Director of Ranch Operations, and is part of the Ranch Management Team which also includes a Ranch Facilities Coordinator and an Animal Care Coordinator.  The Head Gardener is responsible for the Slide Ranch certified organic garden and native plant restoration efforts.  The Head Gardener coordinates regularly with the Ranch Management Team and Teaching Interns to assist or seek help with chores as needed or directed.   This position requires living on-site in housing provided by Slide Ranch.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Maintains the Slide Ranch garden in a sustainable, bountiful, attractive and accessible manner, consistent with available budget and aligned with the teaching mission of Slide Ranch.
• Responsible for paperwork required to maintain organic certification of garden.
• Develops and implements annual planting and harvesting and routine garden maintenance including soil preparation, garden bed and trellis construction, crop rotation, propagation, watering, transplanting, weed and pest control, mulching, pruning and feeding of all plants and fruit trees
• Designs and maintains watering, irrigation and garden drainage systems.
• Leads regular garden work sessions with interns and staff.
• Trains and educates interns and staff in garden techniques and methods.
• Leads effort to grow as much produce onsite for ranch residents as possible and supplements garden produce with routine purchase of produce from local farmers markets.
• Manages all composting activities in garden and around ranch.
• Coordinates regularly with program staff to integrate teaching programs with garden activities; supervises teaching interns’ work in the garden and leads teaching programs and garden workshops.
• Maintains garden paths, bridges and hiking trails throughout ranch.
• Provides regular input to Director of Ranch Operations about needed repairs and ideas for improving ranch garden.
• Maintains garden tool shed and tools in clean and safe working order.
• Trains and orients all interns and staff on proper use of garden tools.
• Orders all tools and supplies needed for garden and plant restoration work.
• Prepares garden for special programs and events.
• Responsible for coordination with Golden Gate National Recreation Area on restoration of native plant habitats.  This may include invasive plant removal, seed collection and plant propagation and/or planting of plants grown by offsite native plant nurseries.

Other Responsibilities

• Coordinates with Ranch Management Team to seek help with garden work as needed and to assist with any and all chores needed to maintain the garden and animals.
• Coordinates and leads volunteer groups that come to work at Slide Ranch; develops regular volunteer program for garden and plant restoration.
• As member of residential community at Slide Ranch, participates in residential chores, meetings, cleanup and cooking and helps coordinate residential training as needed.

Qualifications

• Commitment to sustainable farming and environmental education.
• Proven experience with cultivating and maintaining food and flower gardens using organic/sustainable methods.
• Experience gardening without use of motorized implements.
• Experience with native plant restoration and trail maintenance a plus.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform strenuous outdoor tasks related to garden maintenance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self starter with excellent organizational, time management and computer skills a plus.
• Teaching experience required.
• Ability to work closely and collaborate with a wide variety of people. 
• Clean DMV record and valid driver’s license required. 
• High school diploma and 3 – 5 years horticultural experience.

Compensation: 
This is a full time, residential position.  Room and board, health and dental benefits, paid holidays and vacation, with additional salary of $17k to $19k per year depending on experience.  Food is mainly organic and housing is on-site and rustic, in a spectacular location on the coast just north of San Francisco.

To Apply:
No phone calls please.  Please mail, email, or fax your resume, cover letter and three references.  This position is open until filled.  We expect to fill it quickly.  In the cover letter, indicate why this position is of interest to you; describe any relevant experience in training, supervising, teaching, environmental education, agriculture, and previous experience living in a community.

Contact information for applications:
:
Slide Ranch, Attn: Operations
2025 Shoreline Highway
Muir Beach CA 94965
email admin@slideranch.org
fax 415-381-5762. 

*Please note that Slide Ranch emphasizes diversity in both our programs and our staff.  People of all colors, cultures, class, genders, and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply. 

Position #3: Summer Teacher-in-Residence

Slide Ranch accepts applications for our Summer Teacher-in-Residence Internship.  Application deadline is March 15, 2012.  Details of the Summer Camp internship are below.

This is a residential "live-on-the-ranch" position - housing and food provided plus monthly stipend.

This 12-week position challenges you to grow as a person and as a professional educator.  You will gain valuable hands-on experience in agricultural and environmental education and learn how to live and work in a rural setting as a member of a community. 
Summer camp participants learn to care for farm animals and gardens, explore miles of wildland trails, discover ocean tide pools, cook, and participate in arts & crafts projects.  Our summer camp teachers-in-residence customize each program to meet the learning needs of children 5 – 12 years of age.
Teachers-in-Residence lead a group of 8 students in a week-long experiential educational day program planned by the Teacher-in-Residence.   Most weeks also include afternoon sessions involving teacher meetings, gardening, animal care, and/or facilities maintenance.  Occasional teacher observations complement the position.  Teachers are also responsible for daily ranch chores outside of the 8-hour day.  Residential responsibilities include weekly chores, cooking dinner for fellow residents twice each month, and monthly resident meetings. 
Qualifications
Prior experience in education or working with children required.  Gardening, animal care, environmental education, second language, and community living skills are valuable assets.  Work can be physically demanding; will include manual labor such as shoveling, lifting up to 50 lbs., use of power tools, and farm chores outside of an 8-hour day.
To Apply
No phone calls please.  Mail, email, or fax resume, contact information for 3 references, and a personal statement by March 15, 2012.  Positions are open until filled.  In the personal statement, indicate why this position is of interest to you; describe any relevant experience in education, additional languages to English, and previous experience living in a community.  Please also indicate in your application where you saw this internship posting. 
Dates of Session:  May 29th - August 18, 2012
Compensation:  Housing, healthy food, monthly stipend of $440, potential additional scholarship funding, and an opportunity to live w/ a group of people in a beautiful rural setting.  Applicants must be comfortable living in rustic accommodations. 
Contact:
Slide Ranch, Attn: Program Manager
2025 Shoreline Hwy., Muir Beach, CA 94965
Fax: (415) 381-5762
Email: admin @ slideranch . org (NOTE SPACES WERE INSERTED TO AVOID ROBOTIC MESSAGES AND SPAM; PLEASE USE NO SPACES IF YOU SEND US AN EMAIL)
*Please note that Slide Ranch emphasizes diversity in both our programs and our staff.  People of all colors, cultures, class, genders, and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply. 

It is the policy of Slide Ranch to ensure equal treatment to all persons in matters affecting, but not limited to, recruitment, employment, compensation, benefits, promotion, discipline and employment practices, program participation and scholarship awards without regard to a person's race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, national origin or ancestry.