Community Outreach Farmer Job in MA

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Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) in Waltham, Massachusetts is excited to offer a Community Outreach Farmer Job for the 2021 season

Waltham Fields Community Farm is a non-profit organization in its 26th year of operating a mixed vegetable farm as well as educational and food access programs in Metro Boston. We strictly follow organic methods to manage 15 acres of farmland.  WFCF supplies food to a 400-share CSA program, our Mobile Outreach Market, as well as distributions to our food access partners,Waltham Public Schools and various events throughout the season. 

The Community Outreach Farmer Job

The Community Outreach Farmer Job is multi-faceted and bridges our volunteer program, the Mobile Outreach Market and our Prescription CSA program, requiring a candidate to have the ability to manage a multiplicity of responsibilities.  Because of the various timelines of each program, weekly hours will be available for field work with the farm staff over the course of the season.

Working with Volunteers:

As the farm liaison with volunteers, the Community Outreach Farmer (COF) will be responsible for leading 2-3 sessions per week of small volunteer groups from mid-May through late summer.  Tasks for the volunteers will be determined by the farm management team, with a focus on those tasks which are most COVID-safe (e.g. reduced handling of surfaces by multiple people; no close contact; no enclosed spaces such as the greenhouse).  The COF will greet volunteers, orient them to the organization and to the tasks of the day and also will handle paperwork including waivers, logging of volunteer hours and COVID screening/protocols.  Many volunteers will not have had experience with farming so the COF should have the ability to instruct novices clearly and be able to gently guide people throughout the duration of the session.   

Mobile Outreach Market:

As the Mobile Outreach Market (MOM) liaison, the COF works closely with the Assistant Farm Manager.  The COF will be responsible for orchestrating and executing the packing and distribution of 100 boxed shares to an off-site location on Tuesdays beginning July 13th, 2021 and ending October 5th, 2021.  Two to three volunteers will be recruited to assist with the box packing on Tuesday afternoons in the barn.  The COF, in coordination with the Assistant Farm Manager, will determine the varieties and quantities of crops to be included in the share.  The COF will be responsible for driving the cargo van to the distribution site and distributing the MOM produce boxes.  Other tasks will include formatting and printing weekly inserts for the boxes, record keeping and light set-up and breakdown at the distribution site.

Prescription CSA:

As the farm liaison for the Prescription CSA program, the COF will be responsible for formatting and printing the weekly box insert, communicating the share’s contents to our partner organization, Charles River Community Health (CRCH), in advance of the delivery, and delivering the ten Rx shares to CRCH in Waltham on Wednesday afternoons beginning June 7th.

Qualifications: 

Candidates for the Community Outreach Farmer Job should be hardworking, very detail-oriented and able to work well both independently and in groups.  Strong communication skills and meticulous record-keeping are a must as well as the ability to manage small groups of people.  This position requires both intellectual and physical acumen as the COF will need the ability to repeatedly lift and carry up to 40 pounds in the process of packing and distributing MOM boxes. The COF will be interacting with members of the community and should come with an interest in engaging with all types of people as a representative for the organization.  This position is well-suited for someone with farming experience who would like to grow their community outreach skills, or vice-versa.

A Zoom interview is required.

COVID-19 Note: WFCF requires strict adherence to  COVID-19 precautions and protocols which are in accordance with the CDC, MA and local Health Department guidance, and we expect all of our employees to as well.  To keep everyone safe, employees are required to wear masks properly at all times on the farm, adhere to our Standard Operating Procedures and maintain 6 ft. distance from others whenever possible. All participants and staff must complete a COVID-19 health screening before each day. 

All WFCF staff have altered our personal lives since the onset of the pandemic in order to reduce risk of transmission. We expect our crew members to have done the same and to continue vigilance with the understanding that your behaviors outside of work have the potential to impact everyone in this community.  We are taking precautions to protect you and expect the same respect and care in return.

Compensation: 

$15/hour plus produce from the farm.  Staff receive a 20% discount at our farm store.

Hours/Dates: 

May 18th, 2021- October 8th, 2021.  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and flexible hours Thursday and/or Friday for a total of 24 hrs/week.

To Apply for the Community Outreach Farmer Job: 

Please send a resume & letter of interest to Erinn Roberts, Farm Manager at Erinn@communityfarms.org

WFCF is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, marital status, disability, age, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. 

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.