Company description

Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm, approaching its 26th season, is a James Beard nominated farm-to-table restaurant in Southern Utah. We believe deeply in the importance of organic, locally produced, regionally, and seasonally appropriate cuisine. On our 6.5 acre farm, we grow vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, and raise hens for eggs, all of which is lovingly cooked and served (or pickled & jammed!) in our restaurant. We rely largely on local ranchers for the grass-fed and finished meat we serve. Our commitments to sustainability and environmental ethics are central to our restaurant and farm.

Being a restaurant on the edge of wilderness, we must be stewards of the land that provides for us. Boulder is a town of 250 people, surrounded by the vast Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and on a scenic road connecting Southern Utah's National Parks. We are public lands advocates who take seriously our role as environmental and social activists. We have the good fortune to nourish people as they experience this wild and important landscape, so we are committed to using our voice to protect it. 

Though we are located in a remote town, Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm is bustling during the season (March through November). The restaurant is a fun and fast-paced work environment, with an emphasis on quality and connection. With a restaurant staff of around 30 people, and a farm team of 2-4, the Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm community is tight-knit and diverse. Our staff works very much as a team, so a willingness to pitch in and good communication skills are a must! Even if you work in the restaurant, we invite and encourage everyone to help out on the farm as much as you want. This can be a great opportunity to learn about growing food, which are skills we believe everyone should have!

Job description

Farmer Manager at Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm

Overview

The farm manager for Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm is the lead in all aspects of farm work in order to provide our restaurant with sustainable, high quality food. Our 6.5 acre farm utilizes organic, “no harm” practices to grow and care for a wide range of crops, including annual and perennial vegetables, about 100 fruit and deciduous trees and bushes, berries, herbs, flowers and eggs. In addition to being a part of the farm team, farmers are a part of and interact with the restaurant community as well, as they deliver produce directly to the restaurant and support restaurant needs on occasion. So good communication skills and a helpful attitude are a must!

 

Essential Functions:

• Work with co-chefs/owners on farm & crop planning to support the goals of the restaurant
• Manage all aspects of farm work, including greenhouse propagation, bed/field preparation, transplanting & direct sowing, irrigation, weeding, mulching, thinning, pest/disease management, frost/weather protections, harvesting, post-harvesting handling
• Maintain irrigation infrastructure, including all physical elements & community relations
• Tend all perennial areas, including orchards, produce, flowers, herbs and ornamentals
• Coordinate fruit harvest from town as needed
• Ensure the health and well-being of all animals on the farm, including regular health checks, sufficient feed and clean water, clean living areas, and a safe and species-appropriate living situation, compassionate end of life care
• Source products such as feed, compost, and mulch
• Keep all assigned areas attractive and safe for the public
• Maintain compost piles in a way that reduces pathogens and weed seeds and helps support the restaurant’s goal to reduce waste
• Contribute for soil fertility through use of amendments, compost, and cover-cropping
• Manage and maintain all tools and machinery necessary for the farm (hand tools, BCS, weedeaters, etc.)
• Oversee farm produce inventory in farm walk-in
• Communicate with the restaurant to keep kitchen updated on produce inventory, quantities, and timeline
• Maintain farm harvest records (weights, dates, etc.)
• Supervise farm staff to ensure safe and efficient performance of job duties
• Promote positive and supportive team environment
• Engage with public in a friendly and educational manner in the event of farm visits or tours
• Deliver produce from farm to restaurant
• Oversee & maintain restaurant gardens
• Farm infrastructure improvements
• Community and outreach relations (farm tours, working with other local farmers, attending workshops and conferences, etc.)
• Farm beautification

Required Experience:

• 3-5 years experience with increasing levels of responsibility on an organic farm
• 1-3 years management experience on an organic farm
• A valid driver's license and a proven track record of operating a vehicle safely, as driving a company vehicle is necessary.

Desired Experience:

• Degree or certificate in organic agriculture
• 5-10 years experience in farm management
• Experience with the following: supervising & evaluating a team of employees, teaching & training beginning farmers, working with a farm-to-table restaurant
• Experience farming in high desert climate with season extension

Personal Requirements:

• Knowledge of organic and regenerative agriculture
• Skills associated with sustainable agriculture including but not limited to use of machinery and tools, irrigation infrastructure, all aspects of farm work, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong computer and communication skills- we use Excel, google docs, and do lots of texting and emails.
• Ability to work well with others in a variety of circumstances
• Possess self-discipline, initiative, solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to receive and offer feedback  

Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Significant carrying, lifting, pushing &/or pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, lifting, & manual dexterity
• Work in extreme & hazardous conditions (mechanical, cuts, burns, high-decibel noise, etc) in varying atmospheric conditionals (sun, heat, wind, thunder, lightning, cold, rain, snow, etc)
• Ability to commit to the entire season of work 

Work Schedule, Compensation & Housing:

• Full-time (typical work week is 45 hours)
• Tentative starting date of March 3 - December 5
  5 days/week (Thursday-Monday)
• Benefits include: Employee Assistance Program (mental health services), 50% off employee discount at restaurant, access to restaurant wholesale ordering with no mark-up
• Time off requests granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on workload and co-workers’ schedules
• Housing available onsite in furnished farm trailer (rent of $275/month)
• Benefits include: Employee Assistance Program (mental health services), 50% off employee discount at restaurant, access to restaurant wholesale ordering with no mark-up
   

Other Things to Note:

• We prioritize applicants who can commit to the entirety of our season
• As we are in a remote location with no public transportation, you MUST have a sturdy car or truck .
• A friendly dog is negotiable, as there will already be cute dogs living on the farm.
• All restaurant staff are welcome to visit or volunteer on the farm as much as they'd like, as we know many are interested in learning more about farming while they're here

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $27.00 - $32.00

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline