Youth Program Manager

Company Description

Working Theory Farm, located in Hillsboro, Oregon, operates a no-till farm to provide alternative education and transitional employment opportunities for youth, many of whom face barriers within traditional systems, including involvement with the justice system. Through farming activities such as growing vegetables and raising livestock, youth develop personal and social responsibility, gaining confidence and a sense of stewardship. Since the pandemic began, the organization has donated over 90,000 pounds of organic produce and employed over 70 youth aged 14-24 through its Transitional Employment Program. Working Theory Farm is dedicated to empowering youth and fostering community resilience through sustainable agriculture.

Role Description: We are hiring a Youth Program Manager to join our small team, mentor youth employees during the day-to-day work of farming, cultivate community partnerships, and develop curriculum and programming. Youth Program Manager reports to Staff Directors. 

Compensation: Starting salary of $56,238. Benefits include medical insurance (100% of a Kaiser Permanente Silver plan or equivalent), dental insurance, paid time off, cell phone stipend, tech reimbursement, federal mileage reimbursement for off farm travel, and plentiful farm produce.

Skills and Experience (what we’re looking for from all candidates):

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• At least two years experience as a teacher, social worker, or some other form of youth mentor
• Experienced in practicing solidarity
• Comfort working both collaboratively and independently
• Strong resonance with our mission and program
• Reliability, organization, and attention/commitment to task completion
• Ability to adapt and be responsive to the needs of multiple stakeholders
• Willingness to give and receive constructive feedback and engage in conflict processes

Skills and Experience Could Include: (We don’t expect you to have all of these. Anything on this list will catch our eye):

• Bilingual: English/Spanish (a significant portion of youth we work with are from Latine backgrounds). We offer a $1 hourly equivalent bilingual differential.
• Life experience or family experience reflective of the youth and communities we serve
• Experience as a farmer or landworker
• Experience training other educators and mentors
• Masters in Social Work or Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Experience in curriculum development
• Experience in program evaluation

Start Date, Schedule, and Location: Full time equivalent (~35 hours/week on average, with seasonal variation) beginning in late June 2026. This position will entail 35-40 hours per week during the main season –  March through October – paired with the potential for significant time off and a more flexible schedule (~30-32 hours/week) during the winter.  Approximately 10-20 hours per week from April to October will be outdoor, hands-on, working with youth while farming, with the highest concentration of on-farm hours with youth occurring during July and August. Approximately 15-20 hours per week will be meetings, program planning, curriculum development, internal and external communications, reporting etc.

This position requires 3-4 days per week on-site at the farm in Hillsboro during the spring, 4-5 on-site days during the summer, and 3-4 on-site days during the fall. There is significant flexibility for hybrid work during the winter.