Work with Us!
Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center is a sustainable farm and educational center located on 60 acres in Yorktown Heights, NY. We grow vegetables on 7 acres for a market-style CSA, on-site farm stand, and wholesale clients. The farm hosts educational classes and school groups and is open to the public free of charge. Our mission is to provide our community with healthy produce and to teach others to do the same.
We have multiple positions available for the 2019 season. Click each title for full job description and application instructions.
Seasonal Positions
Livestock Farmer/Vegetable Crew
Field Crew (Vegetable Production)
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
Assistant Farm Manager
Full-time/Seasonal, posted 2/14/19
Job Description
Working in close cooperation with the Farm Director and Lead Farmer, the Assistant Farm Manager will assist in all areas of field production and help to ensure the farm is operating efficiently. Responsibilities include participation in all aspects of vegetable, herb, and flower production on 3-8 acres: seeding; greenhouse management; cultivation and field prep; transplanting; weed and pest management; harvesting, washing, and marketing crops. The Assistant Farm Manager will help with farm plans and schedules and will be involved with the distribution of crops via wholesale and retail channels. The right candidate will be self-motivated, possess a good work ethic and have excellent communication skills.
Qualifications
- 2-4 years of experience in organic produce production
- At least one season working in a supervisory role
- Ability work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Strong commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices
- Ability to lead interns and seasonal staff in seeding, transplanting, weeding, and greenhouse management
- Comfortably able to lift 50lbs
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to safely operate tractors and other farm equipment preferred, but not required
- Wholesale and retail marketing experience preferred, but not required
Schedule & Compensation
The Assistant Farm Manager is expected to work 40 to 48 hours a week in all weather conditions. Some weekend work is required. We offer an hourly compensation of $18-24, DOE. This position is scheduled to run mid-March through early December. Housing is not provided.
To apply, email a letter of interest, resume, and a list of 3 references, including ‘Assistant Farm Manager’ in the subject line.
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
Farm Stand Manager
Full-time/Seasonal, posted 2/20/19
Job Description
Working in close cooperation with the Farm Director, the Farm Stand Manager will help ensure a successful season of distributing local produce through our retail market and to our CSA members. We are seeking self-motivated individuals with excellent communication skills, some experience with farming or physical labor (or a willingness to learn), a good work ethic, and a genuine interest in helping to improve our local food system.
The Farm Stand Manager can be filled as a full-time or part-time position. Our farm stand is open on Fridays and Saturdays from late-April until Thanksgiving. If filled as a part-time position, the Farm Stand Manager’s primary responsibilities include all tasks related to running our retail market, including:
- Maintain attractive and fully-stocked produce displays in the farm stand
- Create and place signage for retail displays
- Greet customers; answer questions about our produce and our growing practices; provide information to help visitors explore the farm property and hiking trails
- Communicate with farmers about produce availability and status of U-Pick fields
- Manage inventory and ordering for value-added products; research new products
- Manage cash register and POS transactions using Shopkeep and Square
- Keep farm stand clean and organized at all times
If filled as a full-time position, the Farm Stand Manager will also work as a member of our Field Crew (vegetable production), or will assist with education, outreach, and/or administrative work.
Examples of Field Crew responsibilities:
- Assist with propagation, bed preparation, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, and greenhouse care
- Work efficiently during harvesting, processing, washing, and packing
- Work outside in all weather conditions
Examples of Education/Outreach/Administrative responsibilities:
- Assist with weekly newsletter and social media; update website with weekly produce availability
- Help to oversee interns, volunteers and other educational programs
- Respond to email and phone inquiries
- Assist with coordinating events, workshops, and classes
Qualifications
- Ability work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Flexibility to work independently and as part of a team, depending on farm priorities
- Strong commitment to sustainable farming and providing local food
- Comfortably able to lift 30lbs
- Retail marketing experience preferred, but not required
Schedule & Compensation
A full-time schedule consists of 40 hours/week Tuesday-Saturday. Part-time work is for staffing the farm stand only and requires 2-3 days per week including Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday work is required at least 3 weeks per month, regardless of full-time or part-time employment. We offer hourly compensation of $15-22, depending on experience and final agreed upon responsibilities. This position is scheduled to run mid-April to mid-November, with some flexibility as to start and end dates. Opportunities exist to grow this position beyond seasonal employment.
To apply, please email a letter of interest (indicate preference for part-time or full-time position), resume, and a list of 3 references to info@hilltophanoverfarm.org. Include ‘Farm Stand Manager’ in the subject line.
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
Field Crew (Vegetable Production)
Full-time/Seasonal, posted 2/14/19 (multiple positions available)
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist with propagation, bed preparation, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, and greenhouse management
- Work efficiently during harvesting, processing, washing, and packing
- Maintain high energy in a faced paced environment
Skills and Qualifications
- 1-2 years of experience in agriculture or horticulture
- Ability to work independently
- Detail oriented
- Ability to be flexible with daily tasks
- Clear communication skills
- Strong commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices
- Comfortably able to lift 50lbs
- Valid Driver’s License
- Retail experience is a plus
Schedule & Compensation
Field Crew members are expected to work 40 to 48 hours a week in all weather conditions. A typical work week is 5 days/week, 8am-5pm (8 hours, plus a one-hour unpaid lunch break). Field crew schedules usually include one weekend day. This is a seasonal position scheduled to run mid-April through the end of November. We offer an hourly wage of $14-$18, DOE. Housing is not provided.
To apply, email a letter of interest, resume, and a list of 3 references, including ‘Field Crew’ in the subject line.
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
Livestock Farmer/Vegetable Crew
Full-time/Seasonal, posted 1/2/19
Job Description
Supervised by the Farm Manager, the Livestock Farmer will be the primary caretaker of our farm animals: three heritage-breed cows, two goats, and a small flock of laying hens. This position is responsible for the daily care of our livestock, but because this program is small (our livestock operation primarily serves our educational programs), the Livestock Farmer will spend up to 70% of work days helping our vegetable crew and/or working on other farm projects. Applicants should be reliable, hardworking, and have excellent communication skills.
Primary Responsibilities
- Feed and water animals and attend to all daily livestock chores
- Manage rotational grazing program for cows: move electric fencing to shift grazing areas, oversee pasture mowing and maintenance
- Keep pasture fence lines clear, make fence repairs as needed
- Maintain veterinary records and proactively manage animal health
- Order hay, feed, etc. and ensure all necessary supplies are on hand
Other Responsibilities
- Assist with propagation, bed preparation, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, and all aspects of our vegetable production operation
- Work efficiently during harvesting, processing, washing, and packing
- Maintain high energy in a faced paced environment
- As needed, assist with farm events, retail farm stand, property maintenance, or educational programs
Qualifications
- 1-2 years of experience with livestock; experience with large animals required
- Ability to perform all livestock work independently and with minimal supervision
- Willing to work efficiently in all weather conditions
- Comfortably able to lift 50lbs
- Strong commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Skills
- Ability to safely operate tractors and other farm equipment
- Vegetable production experience desired but not required
Schedule & Compensation
This is a seasonal position (April through the end of November) with an hourly wage of $14-$20, depending on experience. A general work week is 5 days/week, 8am-5pm (8 hours, plus a one-hour unpaid lunch break). Farm staff schedules typically include one weekend day. We have an interest in expanding our livestock program and preference will be given to applicants with the experience to help us scale up. Ultimately we would like to see this grow into a full-time, permanent position, but for 2019, but the Livestock Farmer is structured as temporary position that will end at the end of the 2019 season. We are unable to provide housing at this time.
To apply, email a letter of interest, resume, and a list of 3 references, including ‘Livestock Farmer’ in the subject line.
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
Farm Manager (Vegetable Production)
Full-time, posted 12/12/18
Job Description
Supervised by the Farm Director, the Farm Manager is responsible for the management, planning and oversight of our sustainable vegetable farm, which includes the production of vegetables, herbs, and flowers on 3-8 acres. This is a production oriented position, but because we are open to the public and regularly host school programs and events, the successful candidate will also be flexible in scheduling daily tasks to accommodate other farm programs. We are seeking motivated applicants with excellent communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Supervise, plan, schedule, and participate in all aspects of our produce operation: seeding; greenhouse management; cultivation and field prep; transplanting; weed and pest management; harvesting, washing, and marketing crops
- Develop crop production plans for greenhouse, high tunnel, and field to cultivate a diverse revenue stream through our CSA, retail farm stand, wholesale, and U-Pick
- Create field crew schedules; monitor and be accountable for the progress of all field work
- Train and work alongside the farm crew as needed to ensure timely completion of daily tasks
- Manage all aspects of farm record-keeping, including harvest records, sales, and farm expenses
- Order materials and supplies; maintain inventory and keep records of same
- Use mechanized farm equipment; recommend new implements and/or methods to increase productivity and quality of produce
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment
Qualifications
- A minimum of 3 years of experience farming for commercial markets on 4 acres or more
- Farm management experience or 2-4 years of supervisory farm work
- Experience planning and managing work schedules; experience training staff
- Demonstrated knowledge of organic farming practices including crop rotation, cover cropping, composting, IPM, and soil fertility management
- Ability to safely operate tractors and other farm equipment
- Comfortable working with databases or farm-planning software, POS retail/inventory management software, and email marketing apps
- Ability to lead and work under pressure in a fast paced environment
- Comfortably able to lift 50lbs
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Skills
- Experience with retail markets and farm marketing is a plus; we are looking to grow our on-site farm stand
- Proficiency in season extension practices
- Livestock experience desired but not required
- Demonstrated ability to stay informed of current research and/or new methods in sustainable agriculture
Schedule & Compensation
The Farm Manager is expected to work 40 to 45 hours a week during the growing season, with reduced weekly hours in winter. Our preference is for the Farm Manager to keep a Tuesday-Saturday schedule while our farm stand is open (late April through Thanksgiving). Compensation is commensurate with experience; anticipated starting range is $42,000-55,000. We are unable to provide housing at this time.
To apply, please email a letter of interest, resume, and a list of 3 references, including ‘Farm Manager’ in the subject line.
