Company description

MEVO (Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc.) is a youth-led environmental nonprofit dedicated to creating scalable ecological solutions that inspires and empowers people to take action for a better future. Since our founding in 2008, we have mobilized more than 12,000 volunteers, providing over 70,000 hours of hands-on environmental service throughout Northern New Jersey and lower New York. A core focus of our work is our long-standing efforts on Stag Hill in Mahwah, home of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, where we have removed with volunteers more than 850,000 pounds of illegally dumped trash over 200+ cleanups. We also build, maintain, and repair local trails in partnership with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference to provide ecological access and recreation for the community. Currently, our central program is the Fresh Roots Farming, which showcases organically based vegetable production in multiple gardens and farms while offering internships, volunteer days, and community programming. Through these programs, it is our intention to get our community’s boots on the ground and hands in the direct effort to effect change through combating environmental apathy.

Job description

ABOUT

The Assistant Farm Manager will train under our current Farm Manager during the 2026 season and take over management of MEVO’s Fresh Roots Farming Program for 2027. This role will support in all areas of vegetable production, volunteer programming, and farm maintenance for Fresh Roots Farm and any additional farm projects that MEVO takes on. The Assistant Farm Manager will take a primary lead in running volunteer events and serving as crew leader for MEVO’s Summer and Fall Farm Crew Internship Programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Field Management & Harvesting

• Following the crop plan and task calendar so all farm tasks are done on time according to schedule
• Providing optimal care to the crops through mulching, trellising, pruning, pest management, irrigation, etc.
• Supporting in garden bed preparation, maintenance, and turnover in a timely manner to fulfill the crop plan
• Acting as a strong lead among the Farm Crew on harvest days, including harvesting and quality control, data collection, and working in the wash pack station
• Ensuring the collection and recording of all field data, including harvest data and crop plan performance
• Managing integrated pest management (IPM) crop care and researching and applying solutions that follow organic practices
• Assisting in the winterization of the farm including tarping, establishing cover crops, storing water for spring, storing irrigation and hoses, etc.

Farm Infrastructure Maintenance & Development

• Assisting in the repair and maintenance of all farm infrastructure, including the greenhouses, shipping containers, fences, etc.
• Initiating and leading building and repair projects when needed, including wheelbarrow and tool care, irrigation systems, farm gates, farm fencing, etc.
• Willing to take a proactive approach in supporting the Executive Director and Farm Manager in securing and developing new, additional growing spaces for MEVO, including helping to design and implement field blocks, greenhouses, hoop houses, additional infrastructure projects, etc.

Internship Program Management

• Serving as a leader for our Summer and Fall Farm Crew Internship Programs, including supporting the interview process and co-leading interns' training
• Supporting the Farm Manager in managing the interns’ workdays to complete tasks in-line with the crop plan while facilitating their learning and professional development, including leading the occasional site visit to other farms
• Holding interns to their attendance and performance expectations and taking recourse as needed

Volunteer Management

Sunday Open Volunteer Days (late March through early November)

• Leading Sunday Open Volunteer Days as the lead MEVO staff member, supervising volunteers in farm tasks safely and productively
• Organizing the volunteer sessions with a pre-scheduled list of tasks that is both impactful for the volunteers’ experience and needs of the farm, in-line with the crop plan and task calendar
• Communicating with volunteers the day before an event via MEVO’s volunteer email account to provide details for the volunteer day
• Monitoring MEVO’s volunteer email inbox and responding promptly to any inquiries or correspondences regarding Sunday Open Volunteer Days
• Managing the sign-in sheet for each volunteer session

Group Volunteer Events (estimated 1-3 times per week, sometimes more during peak season)

• Leading or delegating the management of group volunteer events, ensuring any staff or interns helping have a comprehensive understanding of the schedule to best support volunteers and complete tasks
• Creating additional volunteer events when more help is needed around the farm

Staff Management

• Acting as a strong leader for the staff, especially when the Farm Manager is absent or occupied by a task that removes them from daily operations
• Modeling punctuality, an efficient and appropriate work ethic, and a friendly professional work environment
• Informing the Farm Manager and Executive Director about issues with staff and interns, including poor work performance, chronic absenteeism or lateness, or conflict with other staff

Educational Programming

• Running workshops on topics such as specific crop care, seedling care, etc. on occasion
• Assisting in farm-to-school programming as needed

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least one season of growing experience in vegetable production
• Driver’s license
• Comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and ability to work physically hard (lift up to 50 lbs. regularly)
• Punctuality and arriving to work on time
• Willingness and ability to work with groups of all ages and backgrounds
• Comfort with public speaking and working on a team as well as independently
• Strong initiative-taking and problem-solving skills
• Prior experience in a management role or a strong desire to take on a management role

HOURS

• Spring (April through mid-May): 24 hours/week
• Summer (mid-May through mid-September): 40 hours/week
• Fall (mid-September through mid-November): 24 hours/week
• Winter (mid-November through December): 16-24 hours/week

Note: The above hours are subject to change. A typical work week is Sunday- Thursday from 09:00AM to 05:00PM. However, the successful candidate must be willing to work the occasional Friday or Saturday, and the occasional earlier start or later end time.

COMPENSATION

• $20-22 hourly based on experience

BENEFITS

• 401(K) (match can be taken after 2 years)
• Health insurance coverage (plan of choice up to $250/month)
• Dental insurance
• Professional development stipend
• Vacation & PTO
• Unlimited organic produce grown at MEVO

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline