What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Men's Agriculture Program Lead position at St. Matthew's House?
Description
OUR CORE PURPOSE:
As an expression of God’s love in Southwest Florida, we are growing to ensure that no one experiencing hunger, homelessness or addiction is alone or without a pathway for their journey from crisis to contributor. Together with our partners and participants, we cultivate communities where people are progressively seen, accepted, challenged, and supported.
GENERAL SUMMARY
The responsibility of the Senior Men’s Agricultural Program Lead is to help run the St. Matthew’s House Agriculture Program in Labelle, Naples, and Alva, and to assist the Manager of Agricultural Programs. At times the position works with the Manager of Agricultural Program and helps supervise the Men’s Agriculture Program Transition Track position, to determine direction of production and maintenance of agricultural resources and develop agricultural training programs for the clients. This individual will assist in producing fresh fruits, vegetables, and animal products for Justin’s Place. Training recovery clients in the field of sustainable agricultural management and related recovery principles and allowing them to gain advanced knowledge within the agriculture field will occur. Further, the Senior Men’s Agricultural Program Lead will oversee, and assist with agriculture operations at other St Matthews House locations, including, vendor management.
ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP TASKS:
- Raises a sustainable food source for the program. Runs well-functioning sustainable systems.
- Trains clients on how to garden and teaches them agriculture techniques. Participates in and teaches agriculture classes and demonstrations. Leads resident work teams.
- Facilitates agriculture social enterprise initiatives.
- Maintains Port Labelle Inn and agriculture program’s equipment, tools, raised beds, orchards, livestock, greenhouse, perennial gardens, apiary, irrigation, and pest and disease management, etc..
- Regularly checks irrigation and operating equipment are in good order.
- Plans out and plants according to schedule, ensure plants and animals are looked after, cared for properly, and harvested in timely manner. Attentive to season changes.
- Looks for opportunities to grow and expand Agriculture Program as well as connect agriculture to discipleship and recovery. Motivated to research and execute project ideas and improvements. Plans forward.
- Records and tracks relative crops, seasonal, and agricultural data i.e. planting dates, crop variety data, watering rates, harvest weights, etc. and uses Microsoft Excel, Word, etc.
- Applies fertilizers, nutrients, pest management, soil amendments, etc.
- Works closely with Manager of Agricultural Programs, Property Manager, and other agriculture, kitchen, recovery program staff.
- Assists Agriculture Program projects at other properties on an as needed basis, i.e. Jill’s Place and in Naples.
- Prepares and participates in Port Labelle Inn and Agriculture events, i.e. Harvest Fest
- Mentors and coordinates with the Agriculture Program Transition Track
- Monitors monthly agriculture budget, with expense control.
Requirements
Education/Knowledge: High School Degree or GED.
Experience: Strong participant in Justin’s Place Labelle Agriculture Program and/or experience and avid interest in agriculture, livestock, gardening, or environmental sciences. Experience in tractor work, equipment operation, and construction a plus.
Confidentiality: Works with highly confidential information.
Mental/Visual Demands: Flow of work requires normal mental and visual capabilities.
Physical Demand: Must be able to stand for a minimum of 8 hours at a time and lift at least 50 pounds. Must be able to walk variable distances. Must be able to bend or kneel to the ground and endure heavy manual labor.
Working Conditions: Outdoor environment. Able to work in extreme weather and heat conditions of Florida.
Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License, Competent on personal computers and basic Windows applications. Obtain the Florida Pesticide Applicator’s License within 6 months of hire. Basic computer competency in email, spreadsheets, Google Drive, etc. Necessary Skills: Multi-tasking, problem solving.