Biodynamic Farming Diploma Program Director
Biodynamic Farming Diploma Program Director
Job Category: Administration
Opening Statement
Overview of the Position
Category: Permanent, Part-Time
Location: Remote
Hours: 1.5 days per week
Salary Range: $20,000 to $25,000
Description
The Director, Biodynamic Farming Diploma Program is the academic and administrative leader of the Rudolf Steiner College Canada’s (RSCC’s) Biodynamic Farming Diploma Program and associated activities. The position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with other program directors, the administrative support, external stakeholders (e.g., representatives of Demeter Canada), RSCC volunteers, and contractors.
Essential Job Duties
The role has four main functions:
1) Program Design and Optimization
• The director leverages expertise in biodynamic farming to continue developing and improving the current program design and perpetually optimize this design overtime. This includes:
o Continually improving the program curriculum for all required and optional courses and associated practicum elements
o Continually improving the clarity of the academic and practical learning objectives for each program element
o Sourcing and approving all course resources, tools, and approaches for both academic and practicum elements
o Settings standards required to hire faculty and setting admission standards for students
o Establishing student performance evaluation and feedback mechanisms, and graduation requirements
• Ensures the program is renewed and continues to be accepted by the Career College division of the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities and continues to meet ministry standards as required overtime
• Ensures course alignment with opinion leaders and guiding documents of Demeter Canada and the Goetheanum Section for Agriculture in Dornach.
2) Program Operations
• With the support of the Executive Director, hires program faculty and oversees regular faculty performance reviews
• Supports the faculty, especially new hires with on-boarding, mentoring, and support
• Develops and sustains good working relationships with the faculty members both individually and as a team, holding quarterly team meetings to engage faculty in perpetual program design improvement discussions
• With the support of the Executive Director, establishes and monitors all contracts with practicum sites across Canada
• With the support of the Executive Director, interviews prospective students and reviews/decides on all student admissions
• With the support of the Executive Director, works to ensure student safety and wellbeing, including addressing any complaints or issues that might arise
• Works with the Administrative support to ensure all student records are appropriately maintained
• Supports the Executive Director in promoting the program, including providing content for marketing materials and participates in media outreach (e.g., radio interview)
• Works with the Executive Director to oversee the financial management of the program, including the annual program budget with a view to ensure the program profitability and fundraising efforts
• Supports the Executive Director with any policies and procedures related to the biodynamic program that require approval by the board of directors.
3) Development and Support of Related Activities
• Supports the development and implementation of biodynamic gardening adult education courses with the support of the Executive Director and other volunteers
• Provides occasional Zoom lectures on biodynamic farming and gardening as part of RSCC adult education and cultural outreach initiatives
4) Ambassador of Biodynamic Farming in Canada
• As time permits, contributes to the understanding and appreciation of biodynamic farming through writing, interviews, earned media, and speaking events
• Contributes to longer-term strategies for supporting biodynamic farming in Canada, such as advising RSCC on developing a land trust and supporting commercial biodynamic farms through loan vehicles.
Qualifications
• Ideally this position will be filled by a practicing or retired biodynamic farmer with previous teaching and program leadership experience
• An expert level knowledge of and commitment to the principles of biodynamic farming as set out in Rudolf Steiner’s Agricultural Course and related source materials as required
• Excellent knowledge of organic, biodynamic and regenerative agriculture perspectives, and of food systems development and certification schemes
• Commitment to continuous learning and self-reflection as required for a program leader
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and administrative skills.
Additional Notes
• This is a remote job position. Travel to RSCC’s Toronto location may be required on an infrequent basis (e.g., twice per year) with expenses paid by RSCC
• The successful applicant will be provided with a computer and internet access
• The director will have the opportunity to participate in conferences, training courses and purchase reading materials as part of an organized annual learning plan.
To Apply
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Marta Bak, Executive Director, RSCC to mbak@rscc.ca by May 13, 2025. Interviews will be held in the second half of May by Zoom or in person.
For more information on RSCC please see www.rscc.ca.