Harvest Manager Assistant

Job Summary & Expectations:

• Initiating start of day tasks, such as cleaning bottom bins and harvest tools, cleaning and loading the harvest vehicle, counting packaging and/or harvest bins, and ensuring all necessary tools and gear go out with team

• Assisting the Harvest Manager in leading the daily picks for CSA and wholesale. CSA picks are typically Tuesday and Friday. Wholesale picks are typically Monday and Wednesday.

• Understanding and ensuring food safety standard operating procedures are followed

• Updating food safety forms daily and training new staff on food safety practices

• Reviewing harvest procedures — such as sizes, tools, activities, and labeling — with the team before each harvested crop

• Advising the team on best practices for harvesting for quality, efficiency, and speed

• Communicating necessary changes or observations with the Harvest Manger, Wash/Pack Manager or Assistant, Field Manager and Greenhouse Manager when applicable

• Updating harvest logs daily

• Cleaning out harvest vehicle and stowing all supplies in appropriate places

• Communicating any injuries to Harvest Manager or other worker owners

• Restocking necessary harvest supplies at beginning and end of day. Advising on inventory shortages.

At the conclusion of daily harvest activities, this position may be called upon to lead tasks in other areas of the farm, such as, but not limited to, wash/pack and other teams, field tasks, planting, irrigation, and greenhouse tasks. It is important to remember that no matter how simple, tedious, or insignificant a task may appear, everything that you do is important to the overall success of the farm.

Farming is production work. The farm earns money by what is actually produced and sold. Since production per hour or day is very important, employees are expected to work quickly and efficiently, to keep up with the pace set by the employers or work quickly on their own.

Conversation during work is a benefit of farm work, but please be aware of keeping your hands moving while you talk. Efficient production is critical to the success of the farm.

Paid time is work time. On a farm there is rarely nothing to do. If a task is completed before another task is assigned, make use of your time by doing tasks on the workboard, chore list or packhouse checklist.

No one will drive a tractor unless trained by a worker-owner. Farm vehicles will be driven by regular employees only.

The Harvest Assistant Manager is asked to:

• Be punctual, and be ready to work at designated time

• Follow instruction of harvest manager

• Learn best practices for harvesting different crops and train the team on best practice for quality, efficiency, and speed

• Learn how to read daily harvest sheet and communicate the harvest plan to the team(s)

• Have reliable transportation

• Bring a water bottle, lunch, and appropriate clothing for the weather and task

• Keep track of your hours using the TimeWorks Plus Employee App

• Report unusual or unsafe conditions

• Telephone or text if you are unable to make it to work or will be tardy (main point of contact for phone is Monica Ponce)

• Know the field names and row numbers

• Give as much advance notice as possible when making schedule requests (at least two weeks is preferred)

• Attend monthly all-staff meetings

• Learn and share farm related knowledge and information, especially SOP’s, with other staff

• Be considerate and respectful of one another

• Help with weekly chores to maintain common areas (garage, bathroom, break room, offices and carport)

• Work twice annual plant sales on Saturdays

When working on other areas of the farm, Duties/Responsibilities are as required:

Greenhouse:

• Follow instruction of greenhouse team manager

• Learn best practices for watering, vacuum seeding, labeling, and potting up

• Help lead potting up activities during twice annual plant sales

Wash/Pack:

• Follow instruction of wash/pack team manager

• Clean and sanitize the wash/station surfaces, sinks, U-boats, AZS, and floor

• Review the daily pack list and prepare materials for packing (bags, boxes, etc)

• Label harvests for both CSA and wholesale according to specifications, including proper placement on U-boats or coolers

• Take out compost

• Wash/sanitize harvest and storage bins

Field:

• Follow instruction of field team manager

• Assist with field prep, planting, cultivation, trellising, and crop maintenance

• Hand cultivation, trellising, and crop maintenance

• Learn proper scouting, Organic Pest Management systems, and equipment maintenance checks

Flowers:

• Check in with flower team manager

• Clean and sanitize harvest buckets and snips and prepare any other materials necessary

• Learn to harvest flowers at the proper stage and length. Learn to quickly bunch and arrange bouquets.

• Trellis flowers and manage insect pests when necessary with direction from flower team manager

Education and Experience:

Previous farm experience and training is preferred. We are looking for team members who bring a professional attitude.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds

• Standing, walking, lifting, or bending for extended periods of time (6-9 hours)

• Work in all types of weather conditions

• Must be able to drive and have a valid driver’s license

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Good communication skills, including listening

• Good observation skills

• Good interpersonal skills

• Self- Motivated and good at problem solving

• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment

• Willingness to learn and be flexible

To apply, please send your resume to people@loveislovecooperativefarm.com.

Visit loveislovefarm.com for more information.

Pay: $17.50 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $18