HIRING April-November FIELD ASSISTANT at Mort Brooks Farm (Weavers Way Co-op Farm)
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Posted: Mon, October 21, 2024
Philadelphia, PA
job
Email: farmer@weaversway.coop
Please apply via the link below by Sunday, November 10th:
Early April – late November
This position is the Field Assistant for the Mort Brooks Memorial Farm site at the Awbury Arboretum, working alongside the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager. This is a full-time position working seasonally from April until November, so assistants get to see the full season of planting and harvest. Expect everything from transplanting, weeding, and harvesting in a quick-paced, community-focused environment with a dedicated field crew!
Duties/Responsibilities:
The field assistant is responsible for supporting the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager in day-to-day farm operation and maintenance. Basic tasks include preparing beds, planting, watering, nursery greenhouse work, and harvesting, as well as amending the soil, weeding, thinning, and pest and disease prevention and control. Field assistants may supervise and work with volunteers on a daily basis.
Weavers Way Farms consists of two vegetable farms and an orchard. Our food goes to a 260-person CSA, Weavers Way stores, an on-site farm market, and other outlets in the community. This assistant position will be based at Mort Brooks Memorial Farm, but may be required to help with large harvests or large projects at the other farm location on an as-needed basis. Field assistants may also be asked to assist with the on-site CSA pick-up or in the orchard.
We are primarily a no-till farm, but field assistants may occasionally use a walk behind tractor, mowers and weed whackers. Field assistants may also be asked to utilize our farm truck to move plants, produce, and supplies between farms. Training will be provided.
Administrative Tasks: clocking in and out, completing invoices, logging harvest pounds, submitting receipts for expense reimbursements or mileage reimbursements if any arise.
Minimum Qualifications: A season farming, landscaping or gardening preferred.
Physical Requirement and Timeline Commitment: Field Assistants are expected to commit to a minimum of one growing season, starting the first week of April until the end of October. You should be able to work under adverse conditions (heat, humidity, cold, rain) and be able to lift 50 lbs.
Skills/Attributes: Must be team oriented, a strong communicator, and flexible. Must have a strong work ethic and willingness to get dirty. Must have an ability and desire to work with and supervise volunteers of all ages and abilities. Must have a high attention to detail and superb quality control skills. Must be able to work well in a team as well as independently.
Hours: Hours and days are dictated by the ebbs and flows of the season. Field Assistant is expected to work 5 days a week, averaging 35-44hrs per week (approximately 8-9 hrs/day). More/less hours per week might occasionally be necessary during the slower/busiest times of the season. Occasional weekend days might be requested for special events or additional harvesting. Any rare weekend day will be scheduled with as much advance notice as possible.
Compensation/Benefits: This is an hourly paid position, starting at $17/hr, eligible for Weaver Way Co-op benefits. Farm staff are welcome to have produce from the farms, and receive a staff discount and working member discount of 15% at Weavers Way Coop and our own Farm Market. All hours worked over 40 hours/week are straight pay, not subject to overtime rate, unless the assistant engages in “non-agricultural labor” such as working at the farm market.
Staff must complete child abuse clearances and a PA background check.
Reports to: Mort Brooks Farm Manager (Alessandro Ascherio)
Salary Description
Starting at $18 per hour
