Seasonal Culinary Instructor

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $20/hour 

Housing: NOTE: For those applying from off the island, please note that we do not have staff housing available. Since rental properties on the island can be difficult to come by in summer, TFI staff acts as liaisons to aid in locating and securing summer rentals. However, securing housing is ultimately the responsibility of the employee.    

Hours per week: 36-40 hours/week; Mondays 12-4; Tuesday-Thursday 12-8; Friday 9-4; special events and dinners hours may vary

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: May 21, 2025 – September 17, 2025 

Location: The FARM Institute, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Do you love to cook local and seasonal recipes? Are you interested in helping people understand where their food comes from, loving vegetables, and eating healthy, farm-fresh foods? The FARM Institute’s daily camp cooking lessons and public programs are inspired by seasonal farm produce they help grow.  

The FARM Institute in Edgartown, MA on Martha’s Vineyard prides itself on offering quality and locally focused cooking and skill-based classes in our teaching kitchen for our year-round and visiting communities alike. Summer classes include bread making, ice cream and pasta workshops, and making meals with local chefs where participants harvest from the garden and enjoy the food they have created during a shared dinner experience. Our summer camp engages 4–13-year-olds in daily farm activities strengthening their connection to the food we eat and the land that sustains us. Afternoon cooking classes using foods harvested from our educational Friendship Garden are a favorite camp activity.   

The Role:

This position is required to run three cooking classes with campers every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoon from 1-2:30 pm during the nine weeks of summer camp. Camp cooking classes include leading classes as well as planning with garden and camp staff, set-up, and clean-up. Summer camp runs from June 23 – August 22, 2023. Weekly classes are focused on local produce availability. 

Additionally, this position is required to assist in public programs including leading a family ice cream making class twice a week during July and August. This position will also assist guest chefs in leading cooking classes for families and adults 2-3 evenings a week in July and August. Adult cooking classes include registration, set-up, class prep, as well as break-down and clean-up. Assisting with 2-3 farm dinners a summer is also required.

Specifically, you’ll:

• Leading and developing a curriculum for cooking with campers  

• Planning and supply shopping for cooking classes  

• Program lead on family cooking classes and adult cooking classes with guest chefs  

• Building The Farm Institute brand by documenting and creating content for social media  

• Working with the engagement manager to build programming at The Farm Institute including farm dinners, festivals, cooking classes, and more  

• Assist with other operations on an as-needed basis including set up and break down at events  

• Welcome and orient visitors and work towards a positive experience for everyone visiting The Farm Institute  

• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation  

This is a seasonal nonexempt position working 40 hours/week, reporting to both TFI’s Engagement Manager and Education Manager.

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Experience working with children in an educational, outdoor, garden, and/or kitchen setting. 

• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, natural history, locally grown foods or food systems. 

• Obtained or working towards Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Early Childhood Education, Education, Sustainable Agriculture, Nutrition, Culinary, or similar is preferred. 

• Excellent organization and communication skills with the creativity and experience to develop and execute lessons and programs. 

• Outgoing and friendly. 

• Ability to manage large groups in a positive and efficient manner. 

• Ability to work both collaboratively and without direct supervision. 

• Required certifications, provided if needed: 

• CPR and Basic First Aid certifications 

• ServSafe Certification and allergen certificate 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be 18+ years of age at the start of camp on June 23.  

• Transportation to and from the farm daily. 

• Availability in May for preparations and garden and kitchen training  

• Full-time availability June 19–August 22 for camp staff training and all nine weeks of camp  

• Evening and weekend availability for classes and special events. 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Have questions? Contact our People team at [email protected]!

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick Time: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• Trustees Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores, cafes and on stays at our inns.  

• Museum Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, 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.

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

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.