Urban Farming Assistant Farmer Job in New Jersey

Assistant Farmer Job for 2015 in New Jersey

Grow It Green Morristown seeks a reliable, hands-on, Assistant Farmer to help with cultivation and teaching opportunities at our two sites: Early Street Community Garden and The Urban Farm. This position will report to the Director of Agriculture & Education. Once a littered and vacant lot, the Early Street Community Garden is now a one-acre property that provides space for over 50 families to grow their own food, flowers, and herbs. The Urban Farm is a one-acre educational center for the community and the 4,700 children of the Morris School District, making this job opportunity distinct from many typical farm jobs. All of our cultivation practices follow organic recommendations and emphasize overall sustainability and biological inputs, but we are not certified organic. Responsibilities and duties will include: The Assistant Farmer will be responsible for assisting in food production, education, and coordinating the distribution of produce to Grow It Green Morristown’s various constituencies. The Assistant Farmer should have a desire to learn more about gardening and production of food, as well as have a desire to work with children and the public.  The Assistant Farmer will help ensure properties at both sites are well maintained. The Assistant Farmer must feel comfortable speaking and directing large groups of students and volunteers during field trips and service days. The Assistant Farmer will lead these groups from time to time and fill in for the Director as necessary.

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Specific duties:

1.       Assist with farm-based education classes for both school children and adults

2.       Supervise large groups of volunteers, as needed, and ensure volunteers complete sign-in forms

3.       Provide basic care, feeding, tending and harvesting of a large-scale vegetable garden

4.       Ensure properties are in pristine condition and be proactive in maintaining grounds by weeding, pruning, mowing and picking up trash/debris, etc.

5.       Direct interns and volunteers during Farm Stand hours

6.       Table and sell produce at community events or markets

7.       Ensure community gardeners comply with garden rules and maintain plots

8.       Assist with CSA share management

9.       Assist with donation of produce to area organizations

10.   Assist with construction projects, as needed

11.   Help with organizational fundraising events and classes

12.   Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

1.       Dependable, organized, flexible and have a sense of humor

2.       Must have interest in food production and organic gardening

3.       Must be personable, like working with all kinds of people including children and our diverse community members

4.       A strong work ethic and the ability to work independently, with minimal oversight

5.       Education background is a plus

6.       Spanish speaking is a plus

7.       Excellent communication skills

8.       Must be able to lift heavy loads (such as soil, compost, rocks, etc.)

9.       Basic knowledge of carpentry tools

10.   Must be comfortable using a gas operated tools such as lawn mower and weed-whacker

11.   Must be able to work as a member of a team

12.   Can be flexible due to weather constraints (i.e. heavy rain one day may change the work schedule)

Job schedule and requirements:

This is a paid seasonal based position. We have work available from April through early November. The work is part-time up to 35 hours a week for 33 weeks.  During the months of June-October, the Assistant Farmer must be willing to work on Saturdays each week.

Some office work will be required, and work can sometimes be off-site, at our partner organizations or in school classrooms. This role must have its own transportation and be able to work odd hours (some weekends and evenings required).

As the Urban Farm is located on school district property and this role will be working with district children, the applicant must be able to pass a criminal background check, submit to fingerprinting and take a Mantoux skin test.

This position is an outdoor job and requires the ability to work in a variety of weather conditions, including very hot and humid weather. On days where outdoor work is impossible, the assistant may be asked to participate in office-related work or reschedule a workday. The lunch hour is unpaid. There is no housing provided.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume before March 13, 2015 to jobs@growitgreenmorristown.org.