Join our team!
Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center is a 60 acre working farm and educational center that uses organic practices to grow produce and flowers for a market-style CSA, on-site farm stand, U-Pick produce field, and native plant nursery. The farm welcomes school groups throughout the year and the farm property is open to the public free of charge.
Who we are:
Hilltop Hanover Farm staff are a group of people who each bring unique and varying skills and interest and who all care deeply about the mission of the farm to support our community through shared work, food, and environmental stewardship. Our full time year round staff provide expertise in their respective fields and also work together daily to collaborate on shared projects. During the growing season, our staff team nearly doubles with the addition of seasonal crew members. Interns and volunteers help by filling in where needed. We value welcoming new friends, guests, and workers into our community and strive to make our farm a place where people from all backgrounds and identities can all learn, ask questions, and enjoy ice cream together. Our staff team is a reflection of the community we have built and are essential in doing the good work of farming! We acknowledge that everyone has different personal goals and we work to support individual growth while making sure the needs of the farm are also met.
Job Description
The Greenhouse Specialist will work with the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager to support all aspects of vegetable and flower propagation. This position will spend a lot of their time filling seedling pots, seeding, thinning, potting up, and hand watering seedlings. Training is provided on how to monitor and regulate greenhouse temperature controls, detect unsuccessful germination and take corrective action, and scout for pest and disease issues. In the early season, the Greenhouse Specialist will work closely with the Assistant Farm Manager on the spring Plant Sale to ensure quality seedlings are available on a strict timeline. Throughout the season the Greenhouse Specialist will work closely with the Farm Manager on monitoring seedlings for the production fields, communicate any necessary changes to the crop plan, and take a leadership role on transplant days. The Greenhouse Specialist will work alongside the Field Crew after daily greenhouse tasks are completed, and should be excited about physical work in the fields.
Applicants should be interested in sustainable and community-oriented agriculture, enjoy the process of growing vegetables and flowers and take pleasure in a hard day’s work in the greenhouse!
Primary Responsibilities
Assist with all aspects of Plant Sale propagation including, filling pots with potting soil, seeding, thinning, potting up, and hardening off
Help complete scheduled production tasks on time
Monitor seedling germination and growth and scout for pest and disease
Ensure climate control of greenhouse and germination tables
Daily hand watering of all plant sale seedlings
Opening or closing greenhouse daily
Maintain a neat, orderly, safe, and efficient greenhouse facility and operation
Take a leadership role the week of hardening off, plant sale pre-order pack out, and plant sale pre-order pick up fulfillment
Assist with any other plant sale related tasks as necessary
Prioritize and manage workload to ensure completion of responsibilities
Work with Field Crew once daily greenhouse tasks are completed
Maintain a positive attitude and provide excellent customer customer service
Skills and Qualifications
1-2 seasons of experience working in greenhouse propagation preferred
At least 1 season of working in production agriculture or horticulture
Ability to lead and work under time constraints in a production oriented environment
Ability to work in all weather conditions while maintaining self-awareness of personal needs and safety
Work both independently and collaboratively
Detail oriented and strong work ethic
Ability to be flexible with daily tasks and work schedule, including weekends and holidays as needed
Clear communication skills, open to receiving feedback
Strong commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices
Comfortably able to lift 40lbs
Background Check and Pre-Employment Drug Testing required.
Retail experience is a plus
--
We try to keep a regular schedule, however hours will shift throughout the season, based on the weather and needs of the farm. Work may start as early as 6:30 am during the heat of the summer and some weekend work may be required. We are unable to provide housing or transportation at this time.
The Greenhouse Specialist position starts at the end of February and runs as late as mid-November, 20-35 hours per week, based on need. Work shifts will either be an opening or closing shift and one weekend day will be required.
To apply: Send an email to farmmanager@hilltophanoverfarm.org with a letter of interest, resume, and a list of 3 references, including ‘Greenhouse Specialist’ in the subject line. Please include your earliest possible start date in your cover letter.
Westchester County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.