Market Lead Farm-Hand

The Market Lead Farm-hand is the important connection between the farm and its customers. They are vital to the operation by carrying out the day-to-day tasks needed to allow customer to purchase our products. The market Lead will report to the Production Manager, but will also communicate with the Harvest Supervisor. This position is responsible for delivering products to market, setting up displays, customer service, distributing CSA boxes and maintaining market supplies and records. We are offering this position as a full-time or part-time position. If a candidate would like full-time employment, time will be split between working at the markets and as a Farm-hand on the farm, with priority to market-related activities. If the candidate would prefer part-time employment, the candidate will be responsible for attending markets and maintaining market supplies and records. While we do our best to be ergonomic, farm work still involves long hours spent standing, bending, squatting and kneeling in all weather conditions while carrying out repetitive tasks. This is a rewarding outdoor job to engage with your community, learn new production practices and develop management skills. This Market Lead position is essential for production; the candidate must commit to a full season of employment.

The successful candidate will have a keen interest in farming and preferably have customer service/sales experience and some on-farm or food handing work experience. You are a self-motivated, results-oriented person with a positive attitude who can effectively communicate and work comfortably in a fast-pace

Job Duties

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Market Work: Transportation and display of products, customer service, point-of-sale system, maintaining market materials, record keeping, cash management
• Production Work: Seeding, transplanting, weeding and crop care (irrigation, pruning, trellising, etc.) using tools, small equipment and by hand
• Harvest & Pack Shed Work: Harvesting efficiently, safely and consistently, rinsing, bunching and packaging products, cleaning and sanitizing harvest containers and tools
• Adhering to farm protocols and policies, which include food safety, farm safety, organic certification, and animal welfare standards
• Communicating with manager and supervisors daily regarding work needs
• Attending farmer’s markets when needed
• Other farm duties as required

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in customer service or sales, food handling, or agriculture preferably in vegetable production
• Physically fit; able to stand and bend for long periods of time, lift items up to 20kg
• Strong work ethic and positive attitude throughout long days of physical, repetitive work in all weather conditions
• Able to take direction, learn quickly, ask for help and clarity as needed, and accept and act on constructive feedback
• Ability to work well in both a group setting and independently
• Takes initiative and pays attention to detail and quality
• Able to work in all weather conditions (rain, sun, or snow)
• Flexible; able to adapt to shifting priorities and conditions and help out where needed including extended hours and weekend/holiday work
• Valid class 5 driver’s license with clean driving records required (will be added to commercial vehicle insurance)
• Basic English language required

Position Details

Reports to: Farm Manager, Field Manager, Greenhouse Manager, Farm-hand Leads
Status: Hourly, overtime-exempt
Schedule: Seasonal full-time or seasonal part-time
Full-time: Approximately 35-45 hours/week May to November with possibility of extension/year-round work
Part-time: Approximately 20-30 hours/week May to November (2 x 8-10hr markets/week)
Start date: Early to mid May 2023
Location: Krestova, BC (main), Nelson Wednesdays & Castlegar Saturdays (markets), Tarrys & Shoreacres, BC (secondary)
Compensation: $18.00-$21/hour, in line with experience and qualifications
Benefits: Farm stand/market discount, produce seconds, extended health benefits package (full-time)

Applications will be reviewed as they’re received, so we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. Positions remain open until filled. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
While we invite all applications, only those selected for an interview may be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal
Contract length: 8 months

Salary: $18.00-$21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Extended health care

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• Agricultural work: 1 year (preferred)

Language:

• English (required)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2024-05-01