Established in 1934, the East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 121,397 acres in 73 parks, including over 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.

The Ardenwood Historic Farm is a unique and vibrant public attraction, offering a rich spectrum of cultural, educational and recreational opportunities.  Ardenwood offers authentic historic facilities and activities, interpreting the general themes of the post Gold Rush Era and farming evolution. This 205- acre park contains the original Patterson farmhouse and grounds, historic hay barn and farmyard, 100 acres of prime irrigated row-crop fields.

Vacancy Situation: The Park District currently has one Farmer II vacancy located at the Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, CA. The hiring pools established as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any additional vacancies that may occur during the one year life of the hiring pools.

 

What You'll Be Doing: As the Farmer II, you will be responsible to operate equipment, plant crops on up to 25 ares of land, and perform a variety of farming functions in support of the historic farm that is open to the general public. Functions include: program development and presentations; acquisition, maintenance and operation of modern and period farming equipment; selection, planting, irrigation, cultivation and harvesting of crops; orchard management; and all phases of appropriate care and husbandry for a variety of farm animals, and performs varied public contact work. This position does not supervise a crew of agricultural laborers.

We Are Looking for Someone Who Is:

• A self-starter who can professionally collaborate with others;

• Knowledgeable in agricultural practices and equipment operation;

• Comfortable working around animals;

• Interested in sustainable farming methods;

• Passionate about educating school groups and the general public via historic farming programs.

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job:

• Meaningful and valued work connected to our organizational mission;

• Daily challenges as part of an excellent team at the Ardenwood Historic Farm;

• Great benefits including medical, dental, tuition reimbursement, a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).
 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: A two year degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in agriculture or a related field; and

Experience: Three years experience in agricultural production, orchard  management, farm equipment restoration and operation, animal husbandry, soil science, and/or irrigation;

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Salary: $33.48 - $37.36 Hourly; OR  $5,803.20 - $6,475.73 Monthly
 

Essential Functions:

The Farmer II has primary responsibilities including crop management, program development and delivery, equipment acquisition, maintenance and operation, and orchard management but are not limited to:

Crop Management:

• Determines type, variety and amount of acreage to be planted, field location and crop rotation, and potential markets for harvested crops;

• Selects crops and crop cycles based on timing and/or variety to meet the needs of the interpretive and historic farming programs, (e.g., special "u-pick" events), potential to generate income, and the need for replanting later;

• Crops include, but are not limited to corn, wheat, potatoes, vetch, hay, alfalfa, and soybeans;

• Documents crop and field information, such as production rates, rotation schedules, soil analysis results;

• Prepares soil, plants, weed control, irrigates and harvests crops.

Program Development and Delivery:

• Plans, coordinates and presents, oversees and trains others (Naturalists, Operations staff, volunteers, Student Aides, etc.) in farming  presentations/ demonstrations to schools, other groups, and the general public;

• Lines up outside help to demonstrate historic equipment (e.g., combines, mills, etc.), and integrates crops, machinery, and animals into presentations and events;

• Helps schedule events and programs based upon the crops that are planted, weather conditions, machinery, etc.;

• Programs and presentations are developed with the goal of expanding park attendance and usage.

Equipment Acquisition, Maintenance, and Operation:

• Operates and maintains farming and park operations equipment and tools;

• Researches, acquires and/or restores period farming equipment, such as tractors, combines, balers, crawlers, threshing machines, etc.;

• Locates or fabricates parts personally, with the assistance of experienced volunteers, or through vendors;

• Operates or directs others in the operation of equipment as part of the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of crops or as part of public demonstrations during special events or programs;

• Researches the history of farm equipment, machinery and tools for use in interpretive information and programs;

• Regularly transports equipment.

Orchard Management:

• Restore and manage an orchard(s) to provide for public demonstrations, educational programs and activities;

• Prune, irrigate, fertilize and maintain the health of orchard trees either personally or with the help of other staff, volunteers or contract personnel;

• Explore tree varieties and rootstock to best serve program needs and are well suited to soil conditions.

Farm Animals:

• Sees to the care and feeding of a variety of farm animals, to include vaccinations, dehorning, control of reproduction schedules, assisting in birthing, etc.;

• Contracts for veterinary services;

• Constructs and repairs coops and other enclosures;

• Harnesses and drives draft horse teams for wagon rides, ploughing, binding, discing, planting, and mowing;

• Works in coordination with Farmer I, other staff and volunteers.

Other tasks related to this position may include:

• Trains, orients, and leads other District employees and volunteers;

• Participates in building repair and maintenance as well as general maintenance of the park;

• Operates a variety of hand and power tools;

• Performs related duties as assigned; acts as Park Supervisor;

• Personally and with the help of other staff, volunteers or contract personnel, plans, maintains and oversees the installation of the mobile irrigation system;

• Coordinates harvesting either via public programs, school groups, or with concessionaires;

• Attends seminars and other formal presentations on nut, fruit, crop production, farm equipment, pest management, livestock, agronomy, irrigation and other farm related topics;

• Arranges for product sales as necessary;

• Performs or contracts for soil analysis and bulk soil amendments, and adjusts soil chemistry as necessary;

• Determines infiltration/percolation rates optimum for specific crop;

• Decides on type and amount of watering, cultivation schedule;

• Monitors and controls pests through a variety of methods;

• Works with County, IPM specialist, local water district, and farm concession.