Join our Team!
RECREATION ATTENDANT: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist
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, 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 IPM Specialist will work closely with the field crew leader, farm management team, and Licensed Pesticide Applicator Technician, to manage and minimize pest damage on all vegetable production crops and seedlings in order to prevent crop loss. Applicants should love getting dirty and take pleasure in a hard day’s work! This position is extremely physical, requiring long hours of repetitive motions and heavy lifting. The most successful candidates know how to push themselves and also practice self-care. Additionally, successful candidates should be team players and must be flexible as everyday can be different depending on the weekly and daily farm work plan. The IPM Specialist will work 3 days a week and perform sprays or applications weekly on Thursdays. This position will start in May and run until the end of November.
Responsibilities include pest and disease scouting, monitoring, and observation on all crops and seedlings, application of chemicals, sprays, and/or biological controls in accordance with direction from licensed pesticide applicator, and record keeping in accordance with pesticide application guidelines. The IMP Specialist will also work as part of the field crew when they are not specifically performing IMP duties. Field crew duties include but are not limited to seeding, transplanting, weeding, crop care, pruning/trellising, harvesting, post harvest handling, and general landscape management including weed whacking/mowing.
We are willing to train individuals interested in learning about sustainable agriculture and are seeking applicants that are excited to join a team of farmers, possess a good work ethic and have excellent communication skills.
Primary Responsibilities
- Pest and disease scouting, monitoring and observation
- Pest and disease prevention and control
- Application of chemicals, sprays, and/or biological controls
- Assist field crew with a variety of field work including but not limited to weeding, transplanting, crop care, harvesting ect.
- Farm maintenance work including weed whacking & mowing
- Work alongside volunteers, interns, and students
- Maintain a positive attitude and team mentality!
Skills and Qualifications
- At least 1-2 seasons of experience working in agriculture and IPM preferred, but not required
- Ability to work in all weather conditions while maintaining self-awareness of personal needs and safety
- Some experience with small machinery including small motor run sprayers and weed whackers is a plus
- Detail oriented
- Ability to be flexible with daily tasks
- Clear communication skills, open to receiving feedback
- Strong commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices
- Comfortably able to lift 40lbs
- Background Check required.
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 during the heat of the summer and some weekend work may be required. We are unable to provide housing or transportation at this time. Employees have access to free vegetables during the summer months and get 30% off all other products sold in the Farm Stand.
*Position is available May - end of Nov. Available positions range from 20-35 hours per week and may vary throughout the season, based on need.
To apply: Send an email to jess@hilltophanoverfarm.org with a letter of interest, resume, and a list of 3 references, including ‘IPM SPECIALIST" in the subject line. Please include your earliest possible start date and if you are looking for full or part time work in your cover letter. Applications and positions will be reviewed and filled on a first come first serve basis.
$18/hr
WESTCHESTER COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
*We identified an error in this section of the job description shared across multiple websites. Here is the revised and accurate version.