Farm Trainee Advocate

Eden Streets is a nonprofit that relaunches lives through farming. Our missions is to empower communities to grow food, jobs, connections and hope through farming. We work with vulnerable populations including those facing homelessness, veterans, refugees, and reentering citizens.

Our work environment includes:

• Food provided
• On-the-job training
• Growth opportunities

Farm Trainee Advocate - Grow Ogden

Location: 880 28th Street, Ogden, UT (Grow Ogden Farm & Knox Building)

Position Type: Part-time, 6 to 10 hours per week, $20 to $25 per hour based on qualifications (Licensed Social Worker required: MSW preferred, SSW or BSW)

Farm operating hours: 3-6 pm Tue- Fri Session 1: Apr 1, 2025 to July 1, 2025 (13 weeks)

Session 2: July 29, 2025 to November 7, 2025 (13 weeks) Note: Staff Meeting: Monday

Organization Overview:

Eden Streets is a non-profit organization committed to supporting individuals facing homelessness to rebuild their lives through sustainable agriculture. Our farm, Grow Odgen is a flagship project of Eden Streets, currently on a 1/8th acre with potential for a 1/4 acre expansion, focuses on cultivating fresh produce for donation to local food pantries. Grow Ogden is a job training program on an urban farm that transitionally employs those facing homelessness. Grow Ogden plans to hire at least 3 individuals (up to six) facing homelessness by mid March 2025. We are seeking a compassionate, dedicated Trainee Advocate to join our team and provide mentorship and support to individuals on their journey toward personal and professional growth.

Trainee Demographic:

As Farm Trainee Advocate, you will be primarily working with those facing or experiencing homelessness. These individuals include those vulnerable populations: veterans, reentering citizens, unhoused, refugees, those assigned community service or recovering from spouse or substance abuse.

Position Summary:

As the Trainee Advocate, you will play a crucial role in fostering a positive and inclusive environment for individuals re-launching their lives through our training program. Collaborating closely with the Farm Manager and Job-Training Supervisor you will work with a team of three to six farm trainees, providing guidance, encouragement, and advocacy as they learn the skills of regenerative agriculture. You will meet individually with each trainee to discuss confidential matters regarding barriers that may prevent that person from full-time employment or stable housing. You will help each trainee to leverage community resources to resolve or overcome these barriers and to set milestones each week and month on their path to self sufficiency. You will have access to and be able to consult with trainee advocates at other farms who are doing this work.

Responsibilities:

1. Trainee Support:

• Provide one-on-one support to trainees, addressing their unique needs and challenges.
• Advocate for trainees within the organization, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
• Play a major role in the onboarding process to the farm as well as the graduation ceremony.
• Note that the social work services associated with this job are NOT diagnosing mental health or administering therapy.

2. Mentorship and Guidance:

• In support of the Job Training Supervisor, lead and mentor a team of at least three trainees (up to six), offering guidance and support in both personal and professional development.
• Encourage a positive and collaborative atmosphere that fosters mutual learning and growth.

3. Collaboration:

• Work closely with the Farm Manager and Job-Training Supervisor to align support services with the overall goals of the organization.
• Communicate regularly with other team members to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to trainee development. Meet weekly with farm staff to tailor the week's job-training and farm plan to the needs of the farm trainees.
• Participate in or even design many of the farm-based life-skill and job-skill seminars.

4. Community Engagement:

• Build and maintain positive relationships with the local community to enhance support networks for trainees. Support Community Engagement Lead and Recruiting Manager.

5. Documentation and Reporting:

• As a case manager, maintain detailed records of trainee progress, achievements, and any support provided.
• Collect and report on daily, weekly and monthly wellness and belonging assessment data from farm trainees.
• Collaborate with the Job-Training Supervisor to prepare reports on the overall impact of the training program per the measures, impacts, and outcomes of the program.

Qualifications:

• Strong personal alignment with Eden Streets’
• Masters of Social Worker (MSW) preferred. Licenced Social Service Worker (SSW) Bachelors of Social Work (BSW)- minimum requirement.
• Be capable and interested to work shoulder-to-shoulder with those facing homelessness on farm tasks.
• Previous experience in mentorship, advocacy, or social work
• Trusted to keep confidential information between trainee and advocate
• Empathetic and compassionate approach to working with individuals facing challenges
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and with individuals from diverse backgrounds

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and passion for the position via email to Karl Ebeling at Karl@EdenStreets.org. Eden Streets is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Application Deadline: 2/25 /25

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $18.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 3 – 10 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Ogden, UT 84403: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $25