Company description

Job description

Crew Leader

Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP) is a farm-based non-profit organization committed to cultivating a just and sustainable food system in the Mid-Hudson Valley based on a 15-acre farm in the City of Poughkeepsie, NY. On our member-supported farm in the City of Poughkeepsie, we grow over 100,000 pounds of produce every year for our CSA and food access programs, provide hands-on educational programs, and work to improve access to healthy locally-grown food. Our mission is to cultivate local leadership in sustainable farming, food access and education, and foster an inclusive, welcoming community for everyone. Structural Overview: Poughkeepsie Farm Project utilizes a Shared Leadership structure rather than a traditional hierarchical organizational chart. The organization is led by 4 Co-Executive Directors.

Position details:

• • Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
  • Position category: Full-time seasonal hourly
  • Start date: As soon as possible
  • Location: On-site in Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Supervisor & Peer Review: Farm Production Director

• Schedule:

• Dec-Mid March: 21 hours/ week

• • • Mid-March-June: 40 hours/ week, Monday-Friday

• June-November: 43 hours/week, Monday-Friday (with some flexibility to switch to Tues-Saturday to staff Saturday CSA distributions)

Position Overview

The Crew Leader reports to the Farm Director to support PFP’s farm production and recordkeeping goals. The Crew Leader leads by example, sets clear goals, clearly communicates standards and expectations, and works with the team daily to motivate and set the pace of work. The Crew Leader will also assist the Farm Director in facilitating quarterly peer review feedback meetings. This position requires regular communication with the Farm Director and farm staff.

Specific Duties of this position will include:

Coordinating Farm Crew Activity

• Communicate regularly with the Farm Director to prioritize daily/weekly priorities.
• Lead and delegate tasks to achieve production goals
• Support Farm Director in creation of harvest plans for CSA, wholesale, and special events
  • Assign tasks and manage the flow of harvest, wash/pack and distribution
• Support Farm Director in training of interns & volunteers in field work & harvest
• Cultivate awareness of interpersonal tension and communicate with Farm Director to address issues proactively

Recordkeeping

• Ensure that all harvest weights are recorded accurately and in timely manner
• Maintain weekly record of CSA shares including crops, units, and weights
• Assist farm leadership with other recordkeeping as necessary

Farm Production

• Work in collaboration with staff members to implement an annual agricultural production plan consisting of growing, harvesting, and distributing vegetables, herbs and flowers using Certified Naturally Grown methods.
• Guide, supervise, and mentor CEL interns, and volunteers in various farming tasks.
• Perform various rotating farm duties, which include record keeping, washing, weekend greenhouse duty, maintenance, and staffing/coordinating CSA distribution (serving our 400+ CSA members)
• Serve as a representative of Poughkeepsie Farm Project. Actively work toward the betterment of the organization.

Skills & Qualifications

• Passion for and commitment to the mission of PFP

• Minimum two full seasons on vegetable farms, preferably ones that use organic methods

• Desire and ability to share a passion for farming with members and visitors, and cultivate a positive teamwork environment
• Experience leading group work projects or other delegation of work
• Strong work ethic and ability to lead by example
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including weekends
• Good communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
• Good observation and critical thinking skills
• Highly detail oriented and organized
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and G Suite
• Ability to lift 50 pounds repeatedly and kneel/crouch for long periods of time
• Licensed driver with a vehicle - we are localed in a rural area with limited access to public transportation
• Familiarity and experience of Kubota & Allis Chalmers G tractors preferred
• Proactive participation in our organization’s effort to uplift all workers as leaders, and cultivate an environment that uplifts LGBTQ+ people and Black, Indigenous and People of Color
• Enthusiasm for Shared Leadership, and willing to act as a leader in organization-wide conversations about shared leadership structure and deepening our internal and external social and food justice work

Compensation and benefits:

• Salary: $18-20/hr DOE
• A whole-share full season CSA share (an average of 10-20 lbs of food), access to our Pick-Your-Own fields, and access to discounted “Share Add-ons” such as yogurt, cheese, fruit, and egg shares.
• Generous paid time off starting at 21 days of vacation time in the first year, and 10 sick days

Poughkeepsie Farm Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We strongly encourage people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ people, or those who are members of other marginalized communities to apply. We have offered the list of qualifications as a set of guidelines, rather than as a mandatory list. If you have a passion for our work and believe that you can contribute to the growth of our organization, please reach out even if you are unsure whether you meet all of the qualifications listed.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline