Position Overview
The Program Director is a full time position responsible for developing, managing and executing a robust program calendar of public and group events on the farm at the Leichtag Foundation property in Encinitas, California. The Program Director should have significant experience in conceiving, developing and producing immersive educational activities that integrate sustainable agriculture, building community, healthy food access and Jewish tradition and ritual as well as significant and successful experience in staff management and supervision. The Program Director will also participate on the leadership team overseeing the Farm’s apprenticeship program and be a key member of the Farm management team.
About the Leichtag Foundation
The Leichtag Foundation (“Foundation”) is a private independent foundation located in Encinitas, California, with a strong interest in advancing the North County coastal region of San Diego where our founders Lee and Toni Leichtag, of blessed memory, lived and worked. The Leichtag Foundation also supports programs in Jerusalem, Israel. The Foundation currently holds approximately $134 million in assets and has granted about $90 million since its inception in 1991—more than half of this since becoming independent in 2008. The Foundation focuses its philanthropy on combating poverty and increasing self‐sufficiency for residents of coastal North County; supporting and inspiring vibrant Jewish life in coastal North County; stimulating renewal, service, and social activism in Jerusalem, Israel; and building strong connections and relationships between San Diego and Israel.
In 2012, the Leichtag Foundation purchased the former Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, California. The Foundation’s goal for this 67‐acre agricultural property is to create a physical platform for the advancement of the strategies listed above and a cultural and community resource for the San Diego region. With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, a network of greenhouses, barns and other structures, and easy access to the public, the Ranch is situated in an ideal North County location.
About the Farm at the Leichtag Foundation Property
The Farm is a community farm program that integrates the practices of Jewish tradition and sustainable agriculture to grow and share healthy food, care for the land, and help and strengthen connections between neighbors. Through hands‐on educational experiences and produce donations to neighbors that need it most, the Farm is fostering a vibrant and sustainable community that grows, seeds, and shares.
The Farm consists of mixed gardens, an orchard/food forest, animal pastures, and a vineyard, all in various stages of development. It is also adjacent to a botanical garden, school farm, YMCA, senior retirement village and is one mile from the beach and downtown Encinitas.
Ultimately, this program which is incubated by the Foundation will spin off to become a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Once the Farm is its own independent organization, it will be funded through a diverse revenue mix, including philanthropic partners and social enterprise.
Responsibilities
The Program Director is responsible for and oversees the development of the following program areas:
Youth Group Programs:
- Develops a series of group programs that are designed for youth of a wide range of ages, who will come to the farm in pre‐organized groups from schools, camps, synagogues and other organizations
- Teaches, along with the Program Associate, in most of these programs
- Serves as the primary contact for group leaders from outside organizations
- Hires outside educational staff as needed
Summer Day Camp:
- Develops a Jewish farm based summer day camp for children ages 5‐10
- Serves as the Summer Camp Director
- Hires and trains all staff
- Interfaces with parents
Holiday Celebrations:
- Develops a calendar of open‐to‐the‐public community events around major Jewish holidays including but not limited to Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot and Tu B’shvat
- Facilitates and liaises with local Jewish organizations to co‐sponsor events and brings in outside educators, song leaders, etc. to create high quality programs
- Serves as the lead creator, facilitator and implementer of these educational events
Farm Tours:
- Gives regular farm tours to outside groups and to the general public
Farm Apprentices and Interns:
- Assists with management of the farm apprenticeship and internship program
- Coordinates with farm team on developing educational programs for interns and apprentices
- Integrates interns and apprentices into educational programming for outside groups both as support staff and/or participants.
- Assists with the integration of interns and apprentices with neighbors and partners, such as the adjacent public school farm (FarmLab), San Diego Botanic Garden and Seacrest Retirement Village
Administrative/Management Duties:
- Serves as a key member of the farm management team.
- Develops evaluation plans and mechanisms for all programs.
- Works with the farm staff to ensure the development of necessary farm infrastructure to support educational programs
- Works with the farm staff to ensure that appropriate farm‐related activities are available for program participants
- Works with marketing and communications staff of the Foundation to develop print and digital collateral to market programs
- Works with administrative staff of the Foundation to develop the appropriate event, database, marketing and financial software to manage and track programs, participants and payments
Qualifications / Experience:
- Passion for Jewish education, sustainable agriculture, community development and engagement and interacting with people of all backgrounds and ages
- Bachelor’s degree in related field required
- Master’s degree in Jewish education or related field preferred
- Significant Jewish literacy and experience facilitating high quality Jewish and farm‐based programming
- At least four years of experience managing Jewish and environmental/farm‐based experiential programming
- Experience working on organic/biodynamic farms preferred
- Significant experience with supervision and management and outstanding management skills
- Highly entrepreneurial, adaptable and creative
- Ability to build and nurture relationships with a wide variety of people, including colleagues, the general public, youth, seniors, funders, etc.
- Flexible and willing to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks
- Exceptional listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication differences
- Cooperative, service‐oriented attitude
- Strong team player and leader
- High level of self‐motivation and at ease working independently
- Superior and consistent attention to details
- Works well under pressure and in a fast‐paced environment
- Able to work with urgency and meet or beat deadlines
- Skilled in Microsoft Office and Web‐based computing
Reporting Relationship:
Reports directly to the Director of Agricultural Innovation and Development. Directly supervises Program Associate and programmatic support staff as well as seasonal staff.
Compensation:
Salary commensurate with experience. The Leichtag Foundation offers a competitive benefits package and may assist with relocation expenses.
Typical Working Conditions:
The Program Director will work inside an office, as well as outside on the farm. The position must be capable of moving objects and vehicles as needed. There will be exposure to Southern California outside temperatures, agricultural operations and loud noises.
Essential Physical Tasks:
Continual walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting and carrying.
To Apply
If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume and optional cover letter to: [email protected]
The Leichtag Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
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