Seasonal Culinary Instructor

Job Description

Job Description

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.

Hourly Rate: $19.00-$21.00/hour

Rates are determined based on relevant experience.

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; including afternoons and evenings

Job Classification: Non-exempt, Seasonal

Job Type: Onsite

Duration: June 8–September 18, 2026

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 food harvested from our educational Friendship Garden are a favorite camp activity.

The Role:

As a Culinary Instructor, you'll use farm-fresh ingredients to develop and lead three cooking classes each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoon from 1-2:30 PM during the nine weeks of summer camp. This includes planning with garden and camp staff, set-up, and clean-up.

Additionally, you'll assist in twice-weekly public programs and 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 part of the role.

Specifically, you’ll:

• Lead and develop curriculum for camp cooking lessons
• Program lead on family cooking classes and adult cooking classes with guest chefs 
• Plan and supply shop for culinary classes
• Build The Farm Institute brand by documenting and creating content for social media 
• Work with the engagement manager to build programming at The Farm Institute including farm dinners, festivals, cooking classes, and more 
• Keep kitchen areas organized, clean, and orderly to deliver a positive visitor experience.
• Communicate regularly with TFI’s Senior Engagement Manager and the Education Manager/Camp Director and staff to report safety concerns, incidents, maintenance needs, and program assessment.
• Welcome and orient visitors and work towards a positive experience for everyone visiting The Farm Institute 
• Assist with other operations as needed, including set up and break down at events 
• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation 

This is a seasonal nonexempt position working 32-40 hours/week, reporting to both TFI’s Engagement Manager and the Islands Education Manager/Camp Director.

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.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• 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 22.
• Full-time availability June 8–August 21 for camp staff training and all nine weeks of camp; availability in May for preparations and garden and kitchen training; evening and weekend availability for classes and special events.
• Transportation to and from the farm daily.
• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment.
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Commitment to Our Farm Institute Staff

We pledge to create a workplace that fosters staff development and supports the mental, emotional, and social health of our staff. We strive to provide training that will help staff fully prepare to care for campers and keep them safe, as well as to deliver quality educational experiences throughout the season. We will consistently recognize the incredible work of our staff, and ensure that they feel seen, heard, and fully supported in this special work.

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 people@thetrustees.org!

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront.
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions. 
• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns. 

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.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.