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Field Crew Leader (Vegetable Production) : Maintenance Mechanic I (Grounds)
Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center is hiring a full-time year-round Field Crew Leader. We are seeking a farmer and leader who is interested in continuing their farm career, and is passionate about sustainability, local food, and community. Start date is flexible, with a preferred start date of February 2025.
Who We Are
Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center is dedicated to the practices of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, community education, and the creation of access to healthy food systems. Hilltop is a 60-acre working farm and educational center operated by Westchester County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation that uses organic practices to grow produce, flowers, native seeds, and plants for an on-site farm stand. The farm offers educational programming throughout the year and the property is open to the public, free of charge, year round.
Job Description
The Field Crew Leader will work directly with the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager to help lead & supervise the farm team, and ensure the farm is operating efficiently. Applicants should have excellent leadership, organizational, interpersonal and people management skills. Applicants should also be comfortable supervising, offering feedback, taking instructions, and navigating conflict compassionately.
This position will direct and work alongside the farm team in all areas of the farm, including nursery work, transplanting, weeding, irrigation, crop maintenance, and harvest. Other duties will include tractor work, animal work, working with volunteers, and supporting other parts of the organization.
This position can start as soon as possible. The general work schedule is 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7:30AM to 3:30PM, with an hour of unpaid lunch. In extremely hot weather, the start time may be as early as 7:00AM.
Option for full or part-time work from December to March.
Responsibilities
- Become proficient in our farming practices (propagation, bed preparation, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, harvesting, processing, washing, packing, planning, record-keeping) in order to direct and work alongside staff, volunteers, and interns.
- Identify conflicts and issues, and work with management to solve problems and help create a continuously improving work environment.
- Other tasks such as string trimming, animal chores, mucking, and seed cleaning.
Skills and Qualifications
- Two full seasons of work on a production farm. Prior leadership experience is preferred.
- Knowledge of organic practices, soil health, and pest & diseases.
- Detail-oriented, flexible, organized, strong communication skills, and ability to lead.
- Comfortably able to lift 40lbs.
- Basic repair and carpentry skills preferred.
- Background check required.
- Driver’s License.
Compensation and Benefits
- Pay range is $22 - $25 /hr dependent on experience
- Access to free farm produce during the growing season
- 30% off all products sold in the Farm Stand
- Access to educational & professional development opportunities
- Participation in NY State Retirement System
- Accrued Sick Leave (one hour accrued per 30 hours worked)
To Apply
To apply, send an email to farmmanager@hilltophanoverfarm.org with a letter of interest and resume, including ‘Field Crew Leader’ in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the role is filled.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER