FARM OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Reports Directly To: Farm Manager

Overview: The Farm Operations Coordinator is the day-to-day presence at Hope Farm, a service of the Hope Center that addresses community health and food insecurity by supplying fresh produce to Hope Grocery. This role provides a unique opportunity for learning all aspects of our hydroponics systems and a dynamic opportunity to gain deep experience and diverse skills in the realm of sustainable agriculture. You will receive ongoing mentoring and training, and be involved in all aspects of the farm, including planting and maintenance of hydroponic vegetable production, and helping to enhance a farming model for long-term success.

You will work directly with the Farm Manager, along with a team of volunteers, on the day-to-day operations of the farm.  Tasks include seeding, planting, watering, harvesting, packing, and interacting with interns and volunteers during the week, as well as some oversight of the interns during their time at the farm.  The Farm Operations Coordinator will gain hands‐on experience in operating a small farm which requires a wide range of skills including how to effectively grow vegetables both indoors and outdoors, time-management, and volunteer relations.  We grow a large array of diverse crops utilizing a variety of growing methods across the greenhouse, raised beds, and farm fields.  You will also be involved in the care of our small but growing chicken coop.

Core Expectations / Responsibilities

The Farm Operations Coordinator will gain experience in hydroponic farming and food safety compliance. Daily and weekly tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate & collaborate with the greenhouse lead on issues and areas of improvement
• Assist the farm team in the operations of the greenhouse, barn, gardens, chickens, and all other farm concerns such as equipment and structure maintenance
• Monitor and maintain plant feeding schedule
• Monitor and maintain/improve farm conditions
• Perform troubleshooting, as well as basic maintenance, on Hope Farm growing systems
• Monitor hydroponic crops for pests and diseases and apply prevention measures
• Continuous improvement of safety protocols
• Help provide guidance to interns during their internship at the farm
• Research and special projects (ie: greenhouse system improvements, summer farm camp, farm expansion)
• Engage with greenhouse volunteers around tasks and other greenhouse maintenance needs
• Assist with seasonal and other necessary group maintenance projects as needed, including but not limited to weed control, outside plant care, summer & winter preparation of greenhouse
• A dedication, understanding, and appreciation of quality, cleanliness, and organization
• General administrative work
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 18+ years of age with a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Flexible schedule during normal hours of operation
• Be a team player
• Flexible, able, and willing to perform a variety of tasks in changing situations
• A strong, self-motivated work ethic with the ability and desire to work independently as well in close physical proximity with others
• Positive, outgoing personality, attitude and self-starter
• The ability to work in all weather conditions; lift, carry and move up to 40 pounds; ability to crawl, crouch and bend for short periods of time; in addition to the other physical demands associated with small-scale agriculture.
• Solid problem-solving skills

Preferred

• Ability to work on Saturday mornings when all main functions of the farm occur
• Undergraduate degree or working toward one ideally, in hydroponics, sustainable farming, or agriculture, or equivalent life experiences
• Experience working on a farm or farm-based setting/greenhouse
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications
• Professionally mature with conflict resolution skills
• Microsoft Office skills in Outlook, Word, and Excel or Google equivalent
• Ability to interact in Spanish, Ukrainian, or Russian a plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT/SCHEDULE/BENEFITS

Part-Time: Hourly

Hours: Approximately 20-25 hours/week; typically focused in the morning 

Pay Rate: $18/hour

The Hope Center USA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

TO APPLY

Please send a resume with a letter of interest to Win Goodridge, Farm Manager

Email: farm@thehopecenter.com