Director of Education and Programs

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT CROWN POINT ECOLOGY CENTER 
Crown Point Ecology Center is a 115-acre USDA-certified organic farm, education center, and community gathering space dedicated to connecting people with land, food, and one another. Through hands-on programs, community partnerships, and regenerative agriculture, we advance environmental stewardship, food and environmental justice, and holistic wellness, creating meaningful experiences for youth, families, and community members of all ages. 

POSITION SUMMARY 
The Education & Programs Director position is a comprehensive role responsible for the planning, delivery, and ongoing growth of Crown Point's educational programming. This role leads a year-round portfolio of programs serving youth, families, schools, and community groups. Crown Point's education and programs department is in an active growth phase, and this role is as much about growing program enrollment and expanding community reach as it is about delivering exceptional experiences. The right candidate will be energized by the opportunity to grow something — not simply manage what already exists. The Director must be equally effective in facilitating hands-on learning in the field and managing event logistics for large-scale community events. This role requires creativity, strong self-direction, and the ability to hold both the big picture and operational details simultaneously. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Development & Delivery 

• Develop, implement, and evaluate engaging programs for schools, scouts, homeschool groups, camps, community organizations, and private groups. 
• Lead interactive farm- and nature-based learning rooted in regenerative agriculture, ecology, sustainability, and wellness. 
• Incorporate animals into educational experiences using safe, ethical, and mission-aligned practices. 
• Serve as the designated Camp Director of Record for Summer Farm Camp, overseeing all aspects of program planning, family communications, staff orientation, daily scheduling, and regulatory compliance under Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) requirements for a small day camp program. 
• Manage a portfolio of 15+ recurring and seasonal programs annually, including but not limited to: homeschool programs, scouts, field trips, Rise & Shine, Seasons on the Land, Chickens 101, and programming partnerships. 
• Execute against program budgets developed collaboratively with the Executive Director. Track program enrollment and revenue performance against annual targets established with the Executive Director. 

Community Events 

• Serve as the primary program lead for a diverse portfolio of community-facing events, including recurring series (Meadow Music, Sound Baths), ticketed signature events (Dead at Harvest, Christmas at the Farm), and inclusive community programs (Abilities Inclusive Fall Fest, workshops, and family programs). 
• Partner with the Marketing & Events Manager to support smooth planning, promotion, and execution. 
• Represent Crown Point at community events and outreach opportunities. 
• Manage event logistics under pressure, including vendor coordination, volunteer management, and day-of execution, often concurrent with active programming. 

Animal Care 

• Hold primary responsibility for the daily care, feeding, watering, and welfare of all animals in CPEC's educational program — currently including goats, pigs, turkeys, ducks, and chickens, with the inventory subject to growth. 
• Delegation of care tasks to staff or volunteers is permitted and expected, but the Director retains accountability for ensuring coverage is confirmed daily. 
• Maintain ongoing coordination with the Executive Director regarding the educational integration of farm animals and alignment with organizational priorities. 
• Support safe and positive animal-visitor interactions in programs. 

Team, Supervision & Culture 

• Recruit, orient, and supervise a small team of seasonal camp counselors prior to and during Summer Farm Camp sessions, and coordinate with program volunteers throughout the year. This role currently has no year-round direct reports; all supervised staff are seasonal or contracted. 
• Provide ongoing performance feedback, maintain documentation, and escalate concerns to the Executive Director as needed. 
• Maintain a clear delegation and coverage structure so that programs operate smoothly in the Director’s absence. 
• Collaborate across program, farm, and administrative teams to integrate regenerative agriculture, ecology, and sustainability into public education. 
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture. 

Evaluation, Reporting & Compliance 

• Track, evaluate, and report on program quality, attendance, revenue, community reach, participant demographics, and mission alignment. 
• Ensure compliance with safety guidelines, biosecurity protocols, participant supervision expectations, and emergency procedures. 
• Maintain accurate documentation, records, and program materials. 
• Maintain and submit required documentation for grant reporting as requested by the Executive Director, including program attendance, demographic data, and participant outcomes. 
• Manage all program registrations, participant communications, and platform logistics (e.g., Zeffy, CampNetwork, or equivalent systems) with accuracy and timeliness. 

What Success Looks Like 
The Education & Programs Director will be evaluated on both program quality and program enrollment growth. In the first year, success means stabilizing and delivering the existing program portfolio at a high level while growing program enrollment across existing and new offerings to meet a defined annual revenue target, in close collaboration with the Executive Director. This is a role for someone who takes ownership of outcomes — not just activities. Crown Point's education and programs department currently operates against a $60,000 annual revenue target — a deliberately manageable starting point designed to grow alongside the right person in this role. 

WHAT YOU BRING 

• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in environmental education, outdoor education, camp leadership, or a closely related field — with at least one year in a program management or supervisory capacity. 
• Experience as a camp director or camp program lead strongly preferred. 
• Comfort with program-level budget tracking and enrollment reporting within a defined framework. 
• Track record of independently managing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines. 
• Demonstrated success working with children across multiple age groups. 
• Solid understanding of sustainable agriculture, environmental issues, conservation practices, and ecological principles. 
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance planning, logistics, and field instruction. 
• Proven ability to take initiative, solve problems, and anticipate program needs. 
• Ability to work independently within a collaborative structure, with regular check-ins and clear direction from the Executive Director. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, direct performance feedback to staff and volunteers, and to escalate concerns through appropriate channels. 
• Experience building and maintaining community partnerships, including coordination with external organizations, schools, and program partners. 
• Experience with program registration platforms, CRM tools, or nonprofit operations software. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 
The May–October program season is fast-paced and field-intensive; November–April shifts to planning, program development, curriculum building, partnership outreach, and organizational meetings at a more structured pace. 

• Evening and weekend hours are required on a regular seasonal basis in support of community events and programs. 
• Ability to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions. 
• Ability to walk uneven terrain and work with and near animals. 
• Ability to lift 25–30 pounds as needed. 
• Comfortable working in mixed office, farm, garden, and outdoor learning environments. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

• Salary: $38,000–$42,000 commensurate with experience. Crown Point is committed to growing compensation alongside program growth and the success of the person in this role. 
• 100% Employer-paid health (Medical Mutual PPO), dental, vision, and accident insurance. 
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match. 
• Flexible, untracked PTO — take time when you need it, in coordination with your supervisor and program schedule. 
• Professional development support including ANCA membership, conference attendance, and continuing education opportunities. 
• A collaborative, creative, mission-driven team culture on a beautiful 115-acre organic farm. 
• On-site housing on the farm property may be available for the right candidate. Interested applicants are encouraged to inquire. 
• Total compensation package value exceeds $50,000 annually at the top of the salary range (salary + employer-paid health, dental, vision, and accident insurance (~$7,000) + 403(b) match), not including PTO or professional development. 

WHY WORK AT CROWN POINT? 
Crown Point is unlike anywhere else — a 115-acre USDA-certified organic farm and ecological preserve where education, agriculture, and community converge. No two days are alike. One morning, you may guide students through the organic gardens, later welcome families to a concert in the meadow, and finish the day designing a new community workshop. You'll have the freedom to be creative, contribute your ideas, and directly see the impact of your work on the community. You'll thrive here if you're energized by variety, adaptive in a fast-moving environment, and driven by the satisfaction of building something meaningful from the ground up.