Sunday, March 1, 2015

YOUTH FARM HIRING!


The Youth Farm is Hiring! 


The Youth Farm: Assistant Farm Manager Position
The Youth Farm seeks an Assistant Farm Manager to begin in early April 2015. Ideally this candidate is interested in committing to 2 years or has a desire to invest in Brooklyn’s food justice and food systems sustainability long-term.  
Job Description:
The Youth Farm Assistant Farm Manager (AFM) is responsible for co-leading the UFTP program, and serving as a leader and mentor farmer for all learners who visit and engage with the farm. The AFM will work with the Farm Manager to plan and implement farm management practices that are sustainable, replicable on a small/low-cost scale, and that encourage healthy soil and community life. The Farm Manager is responsible for managing the CSA program, tracking payments and membership communication. The AFM will co-lead the Urban Farm Training Program, a 7 month intensive urban farming certificate program, teaching 20% of UFTP workshops (Mondays) and leading 30% of farm walks (Wednesdays). The AFM will create and lead Wednesday farmer’s market harvests as well as Friday restaurant harvests.  The AFM will support the Head Crew Leader on Tuesdays with restaurant harvests, and will oversee our Internship program. 
Seasonal work flow: The Assistant Farm Manager sends all seed and tool donation requests in Dec/Jan; orders farm supplies Jan-March; participates in annual budget and organizational planning in Jan-March; UFTP Apprentice selection and CSA program prep in February; Supply inventory and Seed Sowing in March; Internship coordination March-December; UFTP Program Facilitation April – November; Fundraising and Event support throughout the year; Final farm closing tasks in December.

Responsibilities:
      Work with fellow staff to help prepare annual Youth Farm budget
      Ongoing organizational planning and visioning
      Prepare and mail seed and tool donation requests; order farm tools and supplies
      Maintain general field work task list and delegate tasks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
      Perform outreach, manage registrations, organize deliveries for CSA program; handle communications with CSA members and pick-up site locations
      Interview UFTP applicants and help to select apprentices in February
      April-November: Co-lead UFTP Program Wednesdays and Fridays; Teach 20% of UFTP Monday workshops and lead 30% of Wednesday farm walks
      Upload all lesson plans, curriculum, and program planning tools to farm’s Google drive
      Assist Head Crew Leader with Tuesday restaurant harvests and intern supervision
      Lead Friday CSA walk with UFTP CSA rotation
      Assist FM leading ‘winterns’ Jan - March and assist with weekly watering of hoop house
      Manage Internship Program; Communicate with and schedule interns
      Contribute to weekly CSA newsletter by writing ⅓ of “From the Farmer” blurbs
      Model optimal pace for farm work: combination of good technique and speed
      Lead 3 Saturday Volunteer Days between April-November
      Assist with weekend irrigation of the farm in early spring into early summer
      Update and maintain consistent, legible and detailed record keeping forms
      Help plan, support and attend project fundraisers
      Help create and maintain good communication with Farm Manager, Crew Leaders and Farm to School Liaison
       Attend weekly staff meetings (longer in winter, shorter in growing season)
      Assist farm with social media by posting on Wednesdays (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram)

Qualifications:
      Strong motivation to continue in the path of urban agriculture and farm management/education
      Wide ranging/holistic skill set in sustainable agriculture, including but not limited to: propagation and greenhouse management, irrigation systems management, sustainable soil fertility and pest/pathogen management, harvest and post harvest handling
      Familiarity with direct marketing of fresh vegetables and flowers, through diverse streams including CSA, Farmers Market and Restaurants
      At least 2 years prior experience in farm management; crop planning experience on a small to medium scale strongly preferred
      At least 2 years experience in teaching adults: workshop planning and facilitation, curriculum writing, and assessment creation
      Passion for teaching learners of all ages
      Strong desire to expand food and social justice (direct work experience a plus)
      Responsible, reliable, prompt, detail oriented – and a sense of humor!

Additional/Preferred Skills:
      Working knowledge of Google Drive and Excel
      Knowledge or experience with Popular Education theories of learning
      Training of Trainers certification
      Experience managing a CSA membership a plus
      Familiarity with hand tools and light power equipment

Hours/Compensation:
25 hrs. /week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and email/computer work from home; this position is paid, and includes a CSA Share.

How to Apply:
We are committed to creating a workplace that respects and values diversity – we strongly welcome candidates from all backgrounds as we are committed to hiring staff that reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of NYC.

Please send your resume, a cover letter explaining your qualifications, and two references to: jobs@bkfarmyards.com