Coordinator's Apprenticeship Position:
(scroll down for teaching apprenticeship)
SPI is seeking a Course Coordinator’s Apprentice to work as an understudy with Emilie Tweardy - the Course Coordnator in this Fall’s Permaculture course. The intent of this position is for the understudy to work towards coordinating courses independently in the future. It's a really great opportunity for the right individual to get to participate in courses from the ground up. Apprentices will learn the ins and outs of course creation and execution, while revisiting the Permaculture Design Course personally. Additionally, we're a fun team to work with! We've built SPI with sweat equity over the last 10+ years and we've learned a lot. Apprentices can expect to "harvest our mistakes" as well as our successes, and learn a lot about Permaculture education.
Must be able to attend all course dates this Fall:
September 2, 3, 4
September 24, 25
October 8, 9
November 12, 13
Overview
The coordinator role is a unique position. They attend all course days and are a part of the lead team, but not in a teaching capacity. If you need more information on our course structure, check out the Fall '22 PDC page. Coordinators organize all course days in terms of location, logistics, student communications, event space, accommodations, etc. A perk of this role is getting to sit in on a PDC to whatever degree the apprentice desires. We are definitely looking for someone to participate and understand the SPI brand and get a solid feel for our courses - the teaching rhythm, the subject matter, and the network. We’re looking to build long-term working relationships as we expand our course offerings. Our goal is to train successful apprentices to coordinate courses independently in the future.
Required Skills
- Candidate will have:
- A Permaculture Design Certificate
- An excitement about Permaculture in the Mid Atlantic
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong ability to network
- Experience organizing events and/or groups of people
- Self motivation - we are looking to hand off this role eventually, and we need self starters!
- Aptitude for online organization and communications - calendars, emails, video meetings, etc. You’ll be herding cats in an online space right up until the actual course begins.
- Social Media savvy (SM advertising experience a plus but not required). Graphic design experience, an eye for a good photograph.
- Experience tracking budgets
- Working knowledge of: excel/sheets, word/docs, facebook and instagram posting
Expectations of Coordinator’s Apprentice Role:
The CA will shadow the coordinator in organizing the Fall course. This includes advertising, communicating with event hosts, booking guest speakers, scheduling and organizing farm tours, reaching out to potential and known sites, scheduling and attending team meetings, debriefing the teaching team on course development, etc. Most of this will happen remotely.
The CA will attend all course days and be an organizational voice for SPI. This involves showing up early and staying late. They are expected to be present, attentive, and helpful. They will work closely with Teaching Apprentices to set up the physical spaces each day, such as seating and snacks. They will communicate with students about any logistics such as parking, travel, etc., and generally be a pleasant, helpful, supportive presence within the space. The coordinator will be responsible for photo-documenting as much as possible of the course.
There are 2 phases to this role:
- First is the behind-the-scenes work before the course starts. Fill the seats and get everything lined up so that the course runs smoothly. This starts with website upkeep, advertising, and posting on social media. Communicating with all sites, organizing speakers and farm tours, making copies, buying snacks and supplies, etc. This phase is the creation of, and preparation for, the course.
- Second phase is the course itself. Being present, helpful, and attentive on course days so that the teaching team can show up and focus on teaching, not on logistics. All the stuff that’s course-related but isn’t specific to teaching is the responsibility of the coordinator/TA team. This includes handing out name tags, making coffee, pointing out the bathrooms, announcing logistics to the students at the beginning of each day, organizing travel for field trips, facilitating carpools and generally running support.
Compensation
Compensation will be offered as a percentage of profits. This will break down as a percentage of the Course Coordinator’s payout. This is all based on success in advertising, social media presence, and filling the course. The better we coordinate the courses in advance, the more money we all make in the end. Compensation percentage DOE.
Application
Please answer the following questions and email to Emilie at shenperminstitute@gmail.com along with a resume and 2 references that have known you in a similar or relevant position.
- Your name and where you live
- What is your permaculture background and experience? Where and when did you receive your PDC training? If you have done any permaculture design work please email a few photos/designs.
- What interests you about the CA position?
- What organizational/leadership experience do you have? How will this make you an asset to the SPI team?
Application deadline: June 1st, 2022
For questions: Please contact Emilie at shenperminstitute@gmail.com
Teaching Apprenticeship Position:
OVERVIEW
The goal of the apprenticeship is to train new permaculture educators. Through the program you will receive mentoring from SPI's teaching team and be given opportunities to teach select modules during the PDC. You will also participate fully in the PDC in a teacher/student role where you can observe and focus on pedagogy.
EXPECTATIONS
QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants must have already earned a PDC certificate, have a strong interest in teaching, and be able to provide for their own travel and lodging during the course. Experience in applied permaculture and/or education is a plus. Ideally, applicants will have spent at least 1 year practicing Permaculture.
APPLICATION
Please answer the following questions and email to Emilie at shenperminstitute@gmail.com.
Application deadline: June 1st, 2022
For questions: Please contact Emilie at shenperminstitute@gmail.com
The goal of the apprenticeship is to train new permaculture educators. Through the program you will receive mentoring from SPI's teaching team and be given opportunities to teach select modules during the PDC. You will also participate fully in the PDC in a teacher/student role where you can observe and focus on pedagogy.
EXPECTATIONS
- Attend and participate (as both TA and student) in the entire 4-weekend PDC course
- Attend 4 planning meetings prior to the course (virtual)
- Teach 2 1-hour modules during the course, under guidance of the teaching team
- Assist with setup and cleanup of the course before, during, and after class days
- You will receive $200 and a Teaching Apprenticeship Certificate upon completion of the apprenticeship
QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants must have already earned a PDC certificate, have a strong interest in teaching, and be able to provide for their own travel and lodging during the course. Experience in applied permaculture and/or education is a plus. Ideally, applicants will have spent at least 1 year practicing Permaculture.
APPLICATION
Please answer the following questions and email to Emilie at shenperminstitute@gmail.com.
- Your name and where you live
- What is your permaculture background and experience? Where and when did you receive your PDC training? If you have done any permaculture design work please email a few photos/designs
- Why are you interested in being a Teaching Apprentice? How will this program help you achieve your goals?
- What education/teaching experience do you have?
Application deadline: June 1st, 2022
For questions: Please contact Emilie at shenperminstitute@gmail.com