FIELD CREW LEADER

Position is Full Time (40 - 50 hours a week / April - October)

Potential for work (November -March)

Overview

The Crew Leader is an essential part of our core management team and is expected to think and work like a professional, which includes the ability to identify and carry out big-picture projects, communicate clearly and confidently with the owner and managers, maintain an upbeat attitude, and to operate with autonomy.

You will be expected to coordinate with the Greenhouse Manager, Production Manager and packshed Manager to develop the farm’s daily plan and priorities and are responsible for implementing the day’s worklist by participating in field work while directly supervising crew members (ranging from 1 - 10 people on average).

The Crew Leader’s core responsibility is ensuring that all tasks are completed correctly, efficiently, and safely while maintaining a good attitude and contributing to a positive team morale for crew members. Ideal candidates for this position will be motivated to participate in hands-on daily field work alongside new and learning farmers, and will both lead by example in pace-setting and quality of work while also providing verbal instruction, encouragement, and constructive feedback to crew members. 

This job description covers key responsibilities but does not capture all job duties. We work as a team and there are times we need all hands on deck to accomplish a task. A willingness to participate in pig and goat caretaking is desirable. Flexibility is key to joining our dynamic team.

Requirements

This position requires practical knowledge and experience in vegetable production to actively participate in goal-setting and prioritization in the context of both whole-season planning and daily execution. The Crew Lead must have consistent attention to detail and strong independent decision-making capabilities while remaining flexible and adaptable to changing situations. An ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills and be comfortable holding a group accountable to efficiency and quality standards and working on or around medium sized farm equipment. It is of the utmost importance that the Crew Lead can maintain a good attitude and contribute to a positive team morale. Field work is physically demanding and requires someone who is motivated, has a good attitude and can tolerate working in inclement weather. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and be on your feet for 10 hours straight.  Reliable transportation to and from the farm is necessary, along with a valid driver’s license. Ability to drive a manual is a plus.

Qualifications

We are looking for people committed to our mission and procedures with these abilities:

  • 1+ seasons of experience working on a small to medium scale vegetable farm, and a desire to continue to work at Amaltheia for multiple seasons

  • 1+ years of experience managing employees in any field

  • Work independently and as a team

  • Timely, dependable and organized

  • Readiness to work outside in all weather conditions

  • Flexible in schedule and tasks

  • Familiarity with google docs and excel

  • Excellent time management and strong sense of pace and urgency associated with task completion, detail oriented and able to multitask

  • Strong communication skills, positive attitude, and desire to teach crew members and set the daily tone for the crew

  • Ability to quickly pick up new concepts and techniques and then teach them to others

  • Ability to lift 50 pounds at a time and do physical work for 40-50 hours a week in the high season

  • Prior experience using small or mid-size tractors and equipment preferred

  • Ability to drive a manual preferred

  • Valid drivers’ license (must be able to transport crew members and supplies between fields throughout the day using farm vehicles. A personal vehicle is not required)

Responsibilities

Working with the owner, managers & crew to execute daily tasks including:

  • Leading daily Harvest

  • Leading and motivating the crew through daily field work including seeding, transplanting, trellising, hand weeding, greenhouse work, harvest, and other field projects 

  • Ensuring tasks are completed correctly, efficiently, and safely with attention to detail and quality standards. This includes training crew members in proper techniques and providing constructive feedback to improve crew performance as well as managing transitions between projects to maintain a good workflow and pace throughout the day

  • Maintaining a good attitude and contributing to positive team morale

  • Communicating crop conditions, abundance or scarcity to the managers, helping scout for pests, diseases or other problems encountered during daily harvests

  • Safely operating any farm equipment as needed

  • Keeping the farm running smoothly in the absence of managers, which includes independent decision-making and time good time management

  • Harvest vegetables according to farm’s standards

  • Contribute to a safe and orderly working environment

Work Environment & Schedule

April - June

(50% Greenhouse Work / 50% Harvest/Field Work)

July - October

(100% Field Work)

Springtime (April - June) encompasses the bulk of the greenhouse work so 50% of your time will be in the greenhouse and 50% will be spent doing field work and harvest. Once summertime rolls around the job will consist of almost 100% field work with greenhouse work here and there. In the fall, the majority of work will be bulk harvesting. Potential winter work would be mostly spent washing and packing vegetables, working with the goats, working on building projects, delivering to our accounts in Bozeman and the possibility to work at the winter farmer’s market every other Saturday.

Work days are 10 hours long, 4 - 5 days a week with a 30 minute paid lunch break. Start time is 7 am (May - September) and 8 am (October - April), and we work in all weather conditions - rain, shine and snow! For this position, much of the work will take place in the greenhouses, the field and plant sale/farm market settings. If you choose to work during the winter most of your time will be spent in the packshed, washing and packing. The option to work at one of our markets is also something that can be discussed. Although you may work independently from managers, you will be expected to communicate clearly and consistently with the owner/managers, work closely with the field crew - overseeing the crew in various tasks.

Compensation:

Starting wage for this position is $18-20/hr based on experience. In addition to an hourly wage, employees receive paid lunches, and we provide a weekly employee CSA which includes our vegetables & goat cheeses.

To Apply:

Please fill out the form on the previous page & send a resume to g.nathanbrown@gmail.com, a letter of interest including what experience you bring to the position, and a list of 3 relevant work references with contact information. We will continue accepting applications until the position is filled.