Rooftop Roots Farm Manager – Seattle

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Rooftop Roots Farm Manager Position in Seattle, Washington – 2020

Rooftop Roots is a 2000 square foot, fully accessible, organically managed urban farm on the roof of the University District Food Bank. This farm produces food year-round for customers accessing the food bank’s programs. Built entirely from milkcrates, this farm is a unique, modular system that also includes beehives, a greenhouse, and compost system and aims to provide the freshest and healthiest food to our customers. University District Food Bank’s mission is to build a hunger-free Northeast Seattle by providing our neighbors with reliable access to healthy food and life-changing resources. Roots is an important part of this mission.

Job Description

The Rooftop Roots Farm Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of farm operations including crop selection and production, food processing and distribution, beehive management, program growth and development, community engagement, and volunteer management, the Farm Manager will be supported by and expected to support other food bank staff. The Farm manager will help train and onboard farm volunteers in collaboration with our Volunteer Coordinator. The Farm Manager will help support farm fundraising events in collaboration with the Development Director and other volunteers. The food produced on Rooftop Roots is directed into the food bank’s free grocery store and home delivery program and offered to customers same day. There will be on-farm training offered as the current farm manager transitions out of the role Candidates will ideally be fully onboarded by October 2020.

Responsibilities

• Manage the rooftop farm and its existing physical infrastructure such as drip irrigation system, greenhouse, compost system, and row hoop houses.
• Create and implement an annual farm and crop production plan that promotes natural/organic growing and pest management practices.
• Coordinate, oversee, and provide instruction to farm volunteers.
• Develop and implement youth and community gardening programs connecting customers, neighbors and local schools to the farm.
• Manage and tend two Langstroth beehives
• Manage the seasonal “To Grow” kit program which distributes plan starts and supplies to food bank customers.
• Work closely with food bank floor staff to provide timely harvests and culturally and nutritionally appropriate produce.
• Maintain thorough and accurate records of all relevant farm data
• Establish and maintain positive partnerships with local organizations, schools, farm related groups, etc.
• Collaboratively develop a program strategic plan and vision
• The position reports to the Executive Director

Required Qualifications

• Passion for equitable and sustainable food systems, community engagement and development
• More than 1 year of vegetable farming, agriculture or community gardening experience including crop production and overseeing annual farm operations
• Ability to work with volunteers and community members from diverse backgrounds
• A strong work ethic, ability to work independently, and positively collaborate on a team
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Experience managing soil fertility, greenhouse production, seeding, planting, harvesting and safe food handling techniques
• Ideal candidate has crop production and farm management experience
• Excellent communication, organizational, and administrative skills
• Ability to occasionally lift 50 lbs and regularly lift 20 lbs
• Food Handler’s Permit or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced, diverse, and flexible work environment

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to speak and/or translate multiple languages, especially Spanish, Russian, and Chinese
• Volunteer management experience
• Experience with an anti-hunger or equivalent social service organization
• Experience in conflict de-escalation and non-violent communication
• Motived, self-starter with excellent time-management skills
• Formal agriculture training or apprenticeship

Compensation and Work Schedule

• The Farm Manager is expected to develop a weekly work schedule that supports farm production needs and is mutually agreeable with the Executive Director.
• Modest evening and weekend work may be required.
• This is a 30 hour per week position although seasonal demands might necessitate some work weeks of fewer hours and some work weeks of greater hours.
• The Farm Manager position will pay $20.00 – $24.00 per hour depending upon experience. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, long-term disability, annual retirement contribution, and paid sick and vacation leave.

About University District Food Bank

University District Food Bank is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to improving our local food system and building a hunger free Northeast Seattle. We operate several food focused programs including a walk-up food pantry, a home delivery program, two satellite pantries, and a weekend backpack program called Packs For Kids. Our walk-up pantry is available Monday through Saturday and has been significantly redesigned because of the current public health precautions needed for COVID. Customers may visit once a week to receive about three days of healthy food to meet their specific nutritional needs and dietary preferences. Home delivery operates weekly to support customers in our community unable to come on-site and shop for their own groceries. Packs for Kids is a year-round program to provide school kids with easy access to meals and snacks to help out when school or summer meals are unavailable during the weekend. 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ROOFTOP ROOTS FARM MANAGER POSITION

To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to apply@udistrictfoodbank.org with Rooftop Roots Farm Manager in the subject line. We will confirm receipt by reply email. You may also mail your cover letter and resume to University District Food Bank  at 5017 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle WA 98105. Mark it Attn: Rooftop Roots Farm Manager to ensure that it is handled appropriately.  The deadline for priority consideration is Sunday, September 13, 2020 although the job will remain open until filled. Application by email is preferred. 

The University District Food Bank is committed to building a diverse and equitable team. We are an equal opportunity employer, and consider all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran’s status (including protected veterans), sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected class. Current food bank customers, people of color, women, and LGBTQ identified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

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