Company description

Our Farm(s) are a branch of the cooperatively owned grocery store: Weavers Way Co-op.  See below!

Weavers Way is a not-for-profit organization that’s doing things differently to support our local community. As a member-owned co-op, we don’t exist just to make money. Weavers Way operates on a triple bottom line philosophy known as People-Planet-Profit - which means every action we take, we strive to benefit people (our community, employees, and local vendors), planet (we strive to be one of the most sustainable places around!), and profit (so we can support our team members and operate as a business). By joining us, you’re helping us fulfill our mission of keeping dollars in our local community, supporting over 300 local food vendors, and being a part of strengthening and enriching the people and planet around us.

 

Job description

Early March - Late November

This position is one of two Assistant Farm Manager positions, one at each of our farm sites.  It is ideal for someone who has 2+ years of experience working whole seasons on diversified vegetable farms looking to deepen and broaden their farming and management skills at a community centric, urban, production farm.  Experience with no-till systems is helpful but not required.  

Weavers Way Farms consists of two vegetable farms and an orchard. The Assistant Farm Manager will primarily work at their respective farm site, but will also work at the other site and the Orchard for all-team work days, especially in March and November and as needed during the rest of the season.  

Duties/Responsibilities:

The Assistant Farm Manager is responsible for supporting the Farm Manager in day-to-day farm operation, maintenance, and planning/record keeping.  The person in this position will be expected to and supported in developing a thorough knowledge of all farm systems and processes to ensure continuity when the Farm Manager is not on site or on vacation etc.  Basic tasks include preparing beds, transplanting/direct seeding, managing irrigation, harvesting, as well as amending the soil, weeding, thinning, and pest and disease prevention and control. The Assistant Farm Manager will frequently work with and manage 1-4 other farm field employees along with numerous working co-op members, Saul students, and other volunteers.  This person may also take part in coordinating with our educational partners at Food Moxie, Saul high school teachers and administrators, all of whom help facilitate student engagement and learning at our farm and orchard.  Interest and willingness to engage with students and partners at Saul high school is vital.

The Henry Got Crops farm site is where our CSA members and other shoppers come to pick up and/or buy additional produce/other items from our farm market.  Interest and willingness to engage with our customers and the public is a must.

We are primarily a no-till farm but regularly use a walk behind two-wheel tractor.  We also use mowers, weed whackers, and frequently drive a utility vehicle on-site. Our farm pick-up truck is used to move plants, produce, and supplies between farms. A four-wheel tractor is used to move mulch, compost, and weeds around the farm. The Assistant Farm Manager will be trained to develop familiarity with all these tools, vehicles, and machinery, and may be required to train other staff on everything except the four-wheel tractor.

Administrative Tasks: clocking in and out, completing invoices, logging harvest pounds, signing in co-op members/volunteers through an online member center, familiarity and regular referencing of multiple crop production maps/documents on Excel, submitting receipts for expense reimbursements or mileage reimbursements if any arise. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

2+ years working full seasons on diversified vegetable farms.  Experience with walk behind tractors, weed whackers, mowers, and four-wheel tractors is helpful but not required.  Candidates must at least demonstrate an interest and willingness to learn how to use these tools and will be trained to use them.
Physical Requirement and Timeline Commitment: The Assistant Farm Manager is expected to commit to a minimum of one growing season, ideally beginning in March and ending mid- December. You should be able to work under adverse conditions (heat, humidity, cold, rain) and be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Skills/Attributes: Must be team oriented, a strong communicator, and flexible. Must have a strong work ethic and willingness to get dirty. Must have attention to speed and a desire to learn efficient work processes. Must have a high attention to detail and superb quality control skills. Must be able to work well in a team as well as independently. Must have an ability and desire to work with and supervise volunteers and students of all ages and abilities.
Hours: Hours and days are dictated by the ebbs and flows of the season. The Assistant Farm Manager is expected to work 5 days a week, averaging 35-45 hours per week (approximately 8-9 hours/day).  More/less hours per week might occasionally be necessary during the slower/busiest times of the season.  One weekend morning per month, approximately 4-5 hours scheduled in advance, is requested to help out with volunteer days and other events. 

Compensation/Benefits: This is an hourly paid position, starting at $19/hour, eligible for Weaver Way Co-op benefits.  Farm staff are welcome to have produce from the farms, and receive a staff discount and working member discount of 15% at Weavers Way Coop and our own Farm Market. All hours worked over 40 hours/week are straight pay, not subject to overtime rate, unless the position engages in “non-agricultural labor” such as working at the farm market.

Staff must complete child abuse clearances and a PA background check, because this role interacts with vulnerable populations.

Reports to: Farm Manager (of respective site)

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $19.00 - $19.00

Application instructions

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Deadline

November 10, 2024