Job: CSA and Sales Manger, Blue House Farm, Pescadero, CA

Job Title: CSA and Sales Manager Location: Pescadero, CA Compensation: Pay is based on experience. No housing currently available, but may become available for rent in 2011. About the Farm: Blue House Farm is situated at the end of a small, coastal, agricultural valley outside of Pescadero, CA, one hour south of San Francisco. We are nestled on three sides by preserved land consisting of rolling hills, redwood forest, a year-round creek, coastal prairie, and two miles from wild ocean beaches. 2011 will be our sixth growing season and we will be growing 24 acres of certified organic mixed vegetables, fruits, and flowers for a 300 member CSA, 3 farmers markets, restaurants, and natural food stores. The farm is run by the farm manager, a CSA and Sales Manager, 2 full-time apprentices, and 4-8 field workers.

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Job Position: The CSA and Sales Manager is primarily responsible for coordinating the CSA and communicating with natural food stores, restaurants, and farmers market managers. This person works closely with the Farm Manager in creating daily pick-lists for various outlets and co-supervising the harvest, washing, and packing procedures.

The CSA management responsibilities include: sign-up organization, membership communication, payment bookkeeping, newsletter formatting, website entry, coordination with other contributing farms, and overseeing the variety, volume, and quality of weekly box contents.

The sales management responsibilities include: communication with existing and new accounts, invoicing and payment entry, and balancing product availability with orders, CSA, and markets.

The CSA and Sales Manager will work 1-2 farmers markets a week and help with deliveries. When not busy with CSA and sales related tasks, this person will assist as needed with greenhouse work, flowers, and general field work. Tractor work is possible based on experience and interest.The majority of work requires the physical and mental capacity to contribute daily to an often rigorous, fast-paced, and deeply rewarding agricultural practice.

The CSA and Sales Manager will receive on-the-job training.

Qualifications: Applicant should be self-motivated, hard working, eager to learn, a good communicator, and be in good physical condition. Excellent people skills, initiative, and ability to perform certain tasks such as heavy lifting (up to 50#), repetitive grasping, standing, bending, and walking (No applicant will be rejected because of a condition or impairment that, with reasonable accommodation, does not prevent performance of work.)

It is imperative this person has excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Applicant should have proficiency in Excel, Quickbooks, and computers in general. This year we will be using new online software to manage the CSA.

The ability to speak Spanish is required as the field crew is primary Spanish speaking.

The CSA and Sales Manager works full-time, up to 45 hours per week. A workday is typically 8 hours, with a one hour lunch. The workday may exceed 8 hours on a farmer’s market or delivery day. We start work at 7:00AM.

Applicant must be able to commit to the entire growing season from early April through early December. Part-time work is available starting in February.

Applicant should have in interest in staying for more than one year.

Reliable transportation is required, as we are 5 minutes from a small town, thirty minutes from Santa Cruz, and one hour from San Francisco.

Compensation: Pay is based on experience.No housing currently available, but may become available for rent in 2011. A mid-season, one week unpaid vacation is encouraged.

The Hiring Process: If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter including answers to the following questions, a resume, and two references to bluehousefarm@gmail.com or:

Blue House Farm

Attn: Ryan Casey

2601 Cloverdale Rd.

Pescadero, CA

94060

If your qualifications match what we’re looking for, we will contact you to schedule a phone or on-farm (preferred) interview. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.

Application Questions:

What are your goals relating to agriculture?

What previous agricultural experience do you have in relation to:

Harvest, washing, and packing.

Sales and Farmers Markets, CSA, Other.

Do you have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record?

Do you speak Spanish?

Please tell us something interesting about yourself. Hobbies, pastimes, etc..