Production and Operations Assistant Job at Pie Ranch – CA

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Production and Operations Assistant Job at Pie Ranch @ Año Nuevo in Pescadero, California, 2017

About the Production and Operations Assistant job at Pie Ranch:

The Production and Operations Assistant job at Pie Ranch will be a support for our Año Nuevo Management team. We are looking for a person with a minimum of three years of farming and operations support on a mid-size farm scale. The objective of this position is to provide an advanced learning opportunity to someone interested in applying and expanding their knowledge about farm production and operations at this mid-size scale. This position will be overseen jointly by the Sales and Marketing Manager and the Production Manager.

About our Año Nuevo Ranch based Operations:

Pie Ranch @ Año Nuevo is a project of Pie Ranch which aims to prove a new economic model for small to medium scale, sustainable farms. By leveraging the purchasing power of large organizational cafeterias (companies, universities, hospitals, school districts) we plan to foster a scalable and replicable model of more ecologically sound and socially just farming.

Pie Ranch @ Año Nuevo embodies:

1. a model of innovation from agricultural production all the way through marketing, distribution and consumption

2. a production size farm for emerging farmers program

3. a model of food justice and fair labor practices

4. a model farm for carbon management for climate change mitigation

Key Responsibilities of the Production and Operations Assistant Job at Pie Ranch:

Crop Planning and Preparation:

• Assist with executing 2017 crop plan – adhering to schedule and ensuring all necessary inputs are ready when needed.

• Liaise with seed company and nursery. Make adjustments as determined by the Production Manager.

• Work with Sales and Marketing Manager to ensure we have accurate estimates of availability to communicate to our customers.

• Assist with the creation of the 2018 crop plan.

Fieldwork/Harvest coordination:

• Tractor experience is strongly preferred – cultivation, field preparation., fertilizer application, etc.

• Ready and willing to work alongside the crew to complete orders when needed

• Quality Control – work with crew to ensure conduct quality assessment of product.

• Work with the crew and Production Manager to maximize efficiencies.

• Assist Production Manager conducting research (online, outreach to farming community, extension agents, etc.) related to disease, methods, equipment, efficiencies.

Equipment-related and Supplies Purchases:

• Work closely with Production Manager, Harvest Coordinator, Washstation manager to ensure we have all necessary supplies/equipment on a timely fashion.

• Purchase of oil, bolts, propane, diesel,  etc.

• Purchase of inputs and amendments (include: organic pesticides, fertilizers, chicken feed, cover crop, compost. etc.)

• Keep detailed accurate records of purchases.

Inspection/Certification liaison:

• Make appointments with inspections (Insurance, staff- housing, food safety, water, CCOF, AJP, etc.)

• Meet with inspectors/auditors.

• Ensure we are compliant with regulations prior to audits/inspections.

• Take Soil and Water samples and send out for testing, regularly.

Staff-housing:

• Purchase of materials/tools to make repairs in staff housing.

• Support Production Manager keep track of staff-housing repairs and needs.

• Assist with repairs, if possible.

Knowledge, skills, abilities for the Production and Operations Assistant Job at Pie Ranch:

Required:

• Three year experience working in the mid-size farm field on a diversified, sustainable or organic farm that integrates animal husbandry.

• Experience with Organic and Food Safety standards and inspection process.

• Experience with a CSA model or direct marketing of livestock or livestock products.

• Experience with hands-on infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

• Experience in wholesale and/or retail produce sales.

• Strong organization, coordination, collaboration and project management skills

• Strong computer skills (e-mail, MS Office, Google docs/Google sheets)

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;

• Demonstrated training skills—able to comfortably provide hands on group and individual instruction to workers and apprentices of diverse ages and background.

• Enjoy working with people; be self-motivated, and have an interest in and a commitment to Pie Ranch’s mission.

• Ability to work independently as well as with a group, and possess creativity, flexibility and the ability to problem-solve and take initiative.

• A strong knowledge of sustainable agriculture and food issues.

• Understanding of and commitment to food sovereignty and food justice.

• Commitment to ending racism, sexism and all other forms of oppression.

• Fluency in Spanish (conversational)

• Comfortable communicating in Spanish with farm crew.

Desired:

• Bachelor and/or Master in Sciences in the areas of agriculture, agronomy or similar.

• Tractor experience is strongly preferred

Other Expectations:

• Work takes place on the farm and office settings.

• Professional, friendly, and enthusiastic personality.

• Access to a personal computer for work-product development and for communication.

• Possession of a current valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Access to a personal car

• Criminal background checks required.

Personality:

Self-driven, proactive, ready to work hard, organized, results-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality organization success. Mature, credible, reliable, tolerant, and determined. Enjoys new experiences, responsibility, and accountability. Empathetic communicator. Able to get along with management and crew and collaborate in a team environment. Fun! We are a crew that is committed to creating a positive and enjoyable work environment for all.

Hours for the Production and Operations Assistant Job at Pie Ranch:

This is a 75% FTE temporary (one year contract) position with chance to become full time in the second half of the season.

Salary and Compensation for the Production and Operations Assistant Job at Pie Ranch:

Salary commensurate with experience.

Housing/Board:

Living at the farm may be a requirement for this position.

Hence, the above salary would be subject to deductions for rent and board.

APPLICATION: Interested and qualified candidates should provide:

• Cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for this position.

• Updated Resumé showing education and related work experience

• Send application package to: employment@pieranch.org, with title: “Farm Production and Operations Assistant”

Deadline: March 31st, 2017

Pie Ranch is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.