Assistant Crew Leader
The Assistant Crew Leader will work a full season on the field crew in 2012 in preparation for becoming full-time crew leader the following season. The Crew Leader's main responsibility is to organize a crew of co-workers that ranges from 2 - 7 people over the course of the season. This involves taking the day's tasks as outlined by the Farm Manager and delegating them to the crew; motivating co-workers to work efficiently while ensuring that the work is being done properly; being sensitive to the day's schedule and making sure that prioritized tasks will be completed on time; and organizing harvest on harvest days, ensuring that everything is accounted for and ends up in the right place. Typical tasks include transplanting using a tractor-powered water-wheel transplanter; cultivation with hoes and by hand; harvest for 500 CSA shares per week; pest management using organically-approved sprays and row covers; care of trellised plants such as tomatoes and peas; and irrigation management. Possibility for early season greenhouse work and/or opportunity to share in livestock care.
The Assistant Crew Leader position is ideal for someone who is planning to start his or her own farm in a few years, and is looking to get hands-on experience managing people and tasks in an efficient, productive and time-sensitive manner. The position requires a 2 year commitment, with a preference for a 3 year commitment. A performance-based raise can be expected each year.
The ideal candidate:
is an excellent communicator, who can motivate others with enthusiasm, and is comfortable providing constructive criticism in a nurturing manner;
excels at and has experience with delegating tasks and juggling multiple priorities and deadlines at once;
is self-motivated and well-organized, able to balance many tasks and keep on schedule;
has worked for several full seasons on vegetable farms;
has some experience operating tractors;
is willing to make a 2 - 3 year commitment;
is comfortable driving a delivery box-truck.
is able to work all day lifting heavy things whether it's raining, sweltering or beautiful out. Able to work fast and efficiently both at time sensitive tasks like harvest and monotonous jobs like hand weeding.The ideal candidate:
Hours:
April (4 days / week) 9am - 5pm
May (Monday - Friday) 8am - 6pm
June - September (Monday - Friday and every other Saturday) 7am - 6pm
October (Monday - Friday and every other Saturday) 8am - 6pm
Compensation: $11 / hour plus health insurance benefits. A performance-based raise can be expected in each of the following years.
5 unpaid vacation days per season. This position involves work from May through November; in the winter, there are usually other employment options in our area.
Employee is responsible for housing (we can help you find housing), reliable transportation to farm, and appropriate farm clothes/raingear.
If Interested please return the following application along with a resume or listing of recent/relevant experience and three references (name, contact, how you know them) to Jordan at jobs@heartyroots.com. Feel free to email or call with additional questions (202-257-1360). Thanks!
Application
Why are you interested in working at Hearty Roots?
Describe a system you've improved in a work environment.
What is the hardest work you’ve ever done?
What stresses you out at work?
We will be accepting applications for this position until it is filled, most likely in January. We will remove this posting once the job is filled.
