Assistant Farm Manager Job Posting Date AWS
Position Title: Assistant Farm Manager Job Posting Date: October 2017 Employment Status: Full Time, frequent weekends and some travel required Location: French Camp, CA Compensation: Commensurate with experience Job Description: The Assistant Farm Manager will work under the direction of the Project Leader and with the Assistant Plant Breeder to manage all aspects of the nursery and research farm in northern California. This includes but is not limited to all farm activities required to successfully produce strawberry fruit and runners, such as labor management and research farm operations. The position will also participate actively in the high elevation program, requiring off-site overnight travel on a limited basis. The position will require excellent communication skills to facilitate activities between upper management, the field crew, and our external business partners and contract labor providers. Major activities include all field preparation and layout, spray and chemigation program implementation, equipment and facility upkeep, and field-crew management. The successful candidate must have broad experience in farming, including activities such as tractor ground work, cover crop planting, bed shaping, pesticide application, general mechanical and building skills, a familiarity with field irrigation systems, and previous experience in supervising field crew members. The successful candidate must also be well-organized, display a high attention to detail, and have an urgency to accomplish tasks in a fast-paced work place. This position will require outdoor or greenhouse work over 75% of the time in all types of weather. Primary Responsibilities: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Conduct all major farm tasks in conjunction with the Foreman and field crew Supervise and train field crew members in duties required to accomplish the task Monitoring the quality of plant growth, including regularly scouting for pests or disease Develop and implement a chemigation and spray program using injection systems and tractor spray rigs Ensure that all farm equipment is in good working condition, includes but not limited to tractor and implements, irrigation systems, greenhouse systems, refrigeration, hand tools, vehicles, etc. Maintain irrigation systems and schedule irrigations as required Assist in the planning and implementation of daily farming activities, including predicting labor needs and operating costs Oversee and closely supervise the Foreman's daily activities Physical participation in certain tasks will be required Communicating with Project Leader and Assistant Plant Breeder about daily operations and needs Maintain good agricultural practices and demonstrate safe working practices Assists in the farm's long range planning and grounds maintenance
Minimum Skills Required: • • • • • • • • • • •
A bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy or related field from an accredited institution Prior experience in crop production and agricultural field work Experience managing and training employees Knowledge and experience operating farm equipment, irrigation systems and chemical application Excellent communication skills, oral, and written Ability to easily use computers, and Microsoft office programs including MS Outlook Must be detail oriented, ability to multi-task and identify priorities Bi-Lingual: English and Spanish Ability to lift 50 lbs. repeatedly Ability to work outdoors for long hours in inclement and hot weather Valid Driver’s License at the time of hire, a Valid California Driver’s License is mandatory within 60 days of hire and must be maintained Documents Required for Application:
• • • •
Resume Cover Letter which includes a written description of your relevant experience to this position Contact information Ability to provide 3 professional references with contact information upon request
Please send all required documents for application to Kyle M VandenLangenberg, PhD Project Leader [email protected]
