Company description

Hidden Villa is a nonprofit educational organization that uses its organic farm, wilderness, and community to teach and provide opportunities to learn about the environment and social justice. Hidden Villa stretches over 1600 acres of open space in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 40 miles south of San Francisco.

Our mission is to foster educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, food, and one another.

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Seasonal Farm Assistants are integral members of the Farm team and will work collaboratively with the Agriculture Director, Farm Manager, and Farm Coordinator on organic field and greenhouse production to provide for our Community Supported Agriculture program, the local food bank, and the farmer’s market. Reporting directly to the Farm Manager, the Seasonal Farm Assistant responsibilities will encompass all aspects of operating a successful, small-scale, direct market farm. This is a full-time, intensive, seasonal position that provides a supportive environment within which new farmers can gain the skills needed to operate independently. This is a job in which you learn by working.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Agriculture Director, Farm Manager, and Farm Coordinator to maintain production of vegetables, flowers and fruits of sufficient quantity and duration to support the needs of the CSA, local food bank, and farmer’s market.
• Heavy physical work outdoors including harvesting, weeding, planting, and operating machinery.
• Weekly supervision of volunteers in work on the farm.
• Participation in Hidden Villa meetings, community programs, and donor events.
• With the Director of Agriculture and Farm Manager, work with the Education Department to support and implement occasional educational sessions with volunteers and community members interested in sustainable farm management and regenerative agriculture practices, providing them with opportunities to learn.
• Collaborate with the Director of Agriculture and Farm Manager with the HV education team for occasional engagements to allow individuals to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge in organic field and greenhouse production.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• One year of production experience in organic agriculture.
• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age with the ability to work outside performing manual labor; physical labor includes ability to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Valid driver's license; required for driving a truck and other small equipment as part of job duties.
• Must pass a Livescan background check; we are a youth-serving organization and as such we are required by the state of CA to conduct background checks for all employees.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Hidden Villa is hiring one full-time, non-exempt (hourly) Seasonal Farm Assistant. The position is fully benefitted, including health insurance, paid time-off (vacation & sick), and retirement. The compensation for these positions is $17.49/hour with onsite shared housing available. These positions are seasonal, beginning March 2025 and continuing through the end of October 2025. Applicants must be available to work the entire farm season in order to be considered for this position.

Compensation

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

Application instructions

Deadline

February 28, 2025