Market Farm Apprentice - 20 hrs/week/Seasonal - 2 openings

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WellPower values and is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to ending bias and discrimination in our community and ensuring equity within all aspects of our organization. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, transfer, or promotion opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

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Pay Range & Benefits:

 $24.04/hour

WellPower is committed to fair and equitable hiring with salaries based on relevant factors, such as work experience, education, and certification/licensure (rather than wage history). Toward the principle of equal pay for equal work, we post and hire within defined hiring salary ranges.  We ask all applicants to carefully review the hiring salary range for each posted job opportunity, as we will not hire outside the predetermined range.

All full-time, benefits eligible employees will be eligible for WellPower’s benefits plan. For a full description of benefit offerings, please visit: https://WellPower.org/workplace-of-choice/.

POSITION SUMMARY:  Under general direction of the Farm Manager, this position works in all aspects of small-scale sustainable food production. Job includes all ongoing tasks associated with vegetable production and will also support the farm’s outreach, education, and community support programs.  The Dahlia Farm Apprenticeship is a training position. Throughout the season the apprentice will gain skills and experiences that will enable them to confidently find work as a small-scale farmer. This position is 20 hours a week, from April - October.

GENERAL HOURS: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, required

REPORTS TO: Market Farm Manager

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

General Farm Duties: (70%)

1.Assist in all aspects of planting, cultivating, harvesting of crops, and plant health in coordination with the Market Farm Manager, and Farm Assistant

2. Provide accurate record-keeping and reporting on farm outcomes, including harvest totals, seed and transplant dates.

Food Distribution (20%)

1. Help prepare and coordinate produce distribution including Farm Stand, Food Access, and Donation programs.

Farms and Gardens Partner/Community Engagement (10%)

1. Assist in planning for and attend special Farm-related events at the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being and occasionally off-site
2. Attend meetings with Farms and Gardens partners and outreach team, as appropriate
3. Facilitate communication and understanding of site programs, services, goals and values.
4. Be present for/assist with field trips, farm tours, volunteer days, cooking demonstrations/classes, and various social events throughout the year, as needed

Learning Experience

1. Access to a tailored curriculum that consists of weekly readings and on-farm assignments
2. Potential to visit other farms, or meet other farmers who visit Dahlia Farm, as time allows

EDUCATION:  High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or minimum six months related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• Six months experience in similar urban/small scale agriculture environment desired. Must be familiar with use of handheld tools such as broadfork, scuffle hoe, bow rake.
• Experience working with volunteers, children (pre-k through 12), people with disabilities, and diverse communities and individuals a plus.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to communicate respectfully, orally and in writing, with diverse persons
• Marketing and sales of vegetables and/or other products, a plus
• Ability to be sensitive to community members and respond to community needs
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment; able and eager to take initiative and follow through on tasks
• Basic understanding of biology, chemistry, and/or soil sciences
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Ability to give, receive, and analyze information, and respond quickly to situations
• Some experience with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, database management
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic (conversions, multiplication, etc.)
• Passion for urban agriculture and food systems, production, and food justice
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about systemic oppression within the food system and agriculture

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:   None  

MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:  BCS 853 Walk-behind tractor, hand tools (including, but not limited to) broadfork, tine weeders, flame weeder, hori-hori, pruning shears, scuffle hoes, post hole digger, and harvest knives; Netafim drip irrigation system, Computers, copiers, telephone and a variety of other office/clerical equipment.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to physically work within a variety of conditions i.e. endurance to work outdoors for long days, in diverse weather conditions (40-95Fº), and requires frequent lifting and carrying of at least 45 pounds.
• Requires crouching, kneeling, standing, bending and reaching, lifting, ability to use farming equipment/tools.
• Handle a wide variety of farm elements including, but not limited to: decomposing plant material, fish waste, finished compost, bacteria, fungus, insects, and fertilizers

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials and articulate goals and action plans.
• Must be able to assess risk and challenges quickly and develop an effective response.
• Must understand people from all walks of life and be able to communicate effectively and appropriately with them.
• Must be able to read and understand instructions, simple diagrams and schematics.
• Manage a fast-paced working environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  Requires occasional early morning, evening and weekend hours.

*Non-smoking facility/campus

Local neighborhood residents, people of color and those from other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.