Company description

Brooklyn Grange is the world's largest green roof farming business. We grow vegetables, keep bees, and host programming & events on roofs in LIC, Queens, and Brooklyn, NY. We also design and install green roofs, gardens, and farms for clients ranging from private homes to corporate headquarters to low-income housing facilities.

All three of our departments -- our Farm department, our Programming & Events department, and our Design/Build department -- are part of our close-knit "farmily," so working with Brooklyn Grange means working alongside a diverse team of extraordinary and knowledgeable individuals who share a common goal of making their city a greener, more sustainable, delicious, and equitable place to live.

Job description

Brooklyn Grange seeks an experienced and knowledgeable Farm Manager to run a nearly 1 acre rooftop site run by Brooklyn Grange, atop the newly expanding Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan. The Farm Manager will report to the CEO and collaborate directly with the Head Gardener and Director of Farming Operations. This is a public-facing role, with interaction with Javits Center team members and, when safety allows, community members and visitors from all corners of the world. The Farm Manager will be responsible for overseeing all field management operations, including: maintaining GAP Food Safety Protocols and maintaining GAP certification; managing, training, and supporting Farm Crew; developing and executing a successive crop plan; weed management, crop management, soil management, and pest & pathogen control; irrigation maintenance; management of on-site composting; propagating crops in the greenhouse; tool maintenance; coordinating harvests and distribution; undertaking infrastructure projects and maintenance; and winterizing the farm as the season winds down. A keen people-first approach to the work is required, while successfully executing on the day-to-day management of the farm.

The Farm Manager should be personable and an excellent communicator and motivator. The ideal candidate demonstrates good judgment and maturity in leading a team. Organized and energetic, the Farm Manager should take pride in completing all daily tasks. The Farm Manager should also continually demonstrate initiative in tending to the farm and should be proactive about improving upon and creating new systems for the farm. The Farm Manager should also have an attentive aesthetic eye and the ability to manage and maintain a well-kept, very public-facing, farm. The Farm Manager will be the standard bearer on-site in representing Brooklyn Grange and ensuring a culture of kindness, respect, support, and inclusivity for our team, as well as for the community with whom we will engage onsite. The position requires experience, knowledge, leadership, and a demonstrated ability to manage a multi-faceted farm.

This is a Prevailing Wage position, subject to all applicable related rules, regulations, and employment terms.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage all cultivation and harvest of a small diversified vegetable farm. Execute the crop plan, directing weekly sowings and transplantings, and keep related records and data. Manage disease and pest concerns, proactively address weeds, maintain soil health, and operate and maintain irrigation. As this is a rooftop farm, only small machinery and hand tools are available, so the job involves manual field work, including bed preparation, weeding, harvesting, and packing produce, etc.

• Manage, supervise, train, and support Farm Crew on all field duties and farm practices. Create and implement on-farm demonstrations and lessons as needed for Farm Crew. Lead by example, and be both a pace-setter and an advocate for the team. Maintain open communication with the CEO and other Brooklyn Grange Leadership.

• Maintain GAP and NY Grown and Certified food safety protocols and ensure annual certification and recertification.

• Liaise directly with building owners and managers, as well as farm produce recipients. Work closely with Javits colleagues and catering and CSA customers, maintain the farm as an events-ready space, and communicate proactively about issues, projects or concerns.

• Lead occasional tours, and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere at the farm. Receive visitors to the farm with professionalism and hospitality, while enforcing boundaries, rules and regulations.

• Supervise Greenhouse Manager and greenhouse operations.

• Independently maintain tools, equipment, and material inventory. Purchase additional supplies when necessary and as budgeted. Participate in creation and management of farm and staffing budgets.

• Oversee produce distribution to catering client and other community partners.

• Communicate with Javits research and educational partners. Assist in oversight and monitoring of irrigation water system (water is procured from underground retention tanks and will likely be the subject of academic study).

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Has undergone extensive training in organic or low-input vegetable production.

• Has 3+ seasons of relevant experience cultivating produce on an organic farm, including greenhouse work.

• Has experience with crop planning, succession planting, crop rotation, composting, and vegetable sales.

• Can successfully execute and balance responsibilities under time constraints, is adept at prioritizing essential tasks, and is motivated by the challenge of getting “it” all done -- while also having fun and maintaining positive team and community dynamics.

• Is familiar with tools and equipment such as seeders, weed management tools, hand tillers, and farm irrigation systems.

• Is familiar with GAP food safety principles and best practices.

• Is able to work independently, be very self-motivated, and possesses a great work ethic.

• Is kind and able to motivate and energize a team, train Farm Crew, lead by example, demonstrate respect, and work well with others.

• Is organized and professional in responding to emails in a timely fashion, can navigate Google Drive, familiarity with record and enter data into spreadsheets, etc.

• Enjoys working outdoors in any weather.

• Is able to lift 50 lbs repeatedly, and to squat, bend over, and reach for extended periods of time.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

March 01, 2021