Company description
Point Reyes Saltworks produces small-batch California sea salt from the mineral-rich waters of Tomales Bay.
Along the Point Reyes coast, Pacific upwelling feeds Tomales Bay with deep, cold ocean water—the clean, savory foundation of our salt. We filter the seawater and circulate it through outdoor evaporation towers, where wind and sun gradually concentrate it into a dense brine. Each batch is then finished by hand over a wood-fired oven, producing a salt with lively mineral flavor and a delicate, airy texture.
Our process blends traditional European wind-evaporation methods with Japanese techniques for concentrating brine and finishing salt over fire, supported by modern innovations in filtration, water movement, monitoring and process control. We have adapted these approaches to the climate, landscape and waters of coastal Northern California. The result is a distinctly local salt that reflects both its source and the way it is made.
Point Reyes Saltworks grew from years of experimentation by founder and saltmaker Jeff Warrin. What began as a small saltmaking project has developed into a working production operation with evaporation towers, tanks, pumps, filters, drying areas, a wood-fired finishing system and a food-production and packaging room. Our salt is now sold to independent grocers, specialty food shops, restaurants and other retailers across the country.
We are still a very small, founder-run business, but we are entering a period of rapid growth. As we expand, we want to preserve the attentiveness and practical problem-solving that built the Saltworks in the first place. We care about making an exceptional product, understanding the entire production system and building a company in which capable people can learn, take responsibility and grow with the operation.
Point Reyes Saltworks is an independent company operating on the Hog Island Oyster Company ranch in Marshall, California, along Tomales Bay.
Job description
The Saltworks Production Assistant will work directly with the founder throughout the saltmaking process. No previous saltmaking or food-production experience is required; we will train the right person.
This role is centered on keeping the Saltworks operating as a complete production system. The work combines food production, water-system operation, physical labor, equipment maintenance and traditional craft. The assistant will help move seawater, concentrated brine, salt, firewood and materials through every stage of production.
Salt cooking takes place over long production days. The fire, finishing pans and developing salt require regular attention, with intervals between active tasks. Packaging and order preparation are completed during those intervals, with saltmaking always taking priority.
A typical day may involve transferring brine, checking a pump, measuring salinity, loading firewood, tending the oven, harvesting salt, cleaning equipment and packing wholesale orders. The work is physical, varied and often requires moving between tasks as production conditions change.
Responsibilities
Operate and monitor outdoor wind-evaporation towers
Transfer seawater and concentrated brine between tanks, filters, towers and finishing pans
Set up and safely operate pumps, hoses, valves and water-transfer equipment
Monitor water flow and recognize leaks, clogs or unusual equipment behavior
Measure and record brine concentration, temperature, volume and other production information
Clean and replace filters and keep water-transfer equipment functional
Move, stack and load firewood
Prepare and tend the wood-fired oven after training
Monitor the fire, pan temperature, brine level, evaporation and crystal formation
Harvest, drain, spin, dry and inspect freshly produced salt
Perform routine cleaning, sanitation and preventive maintenance
Help troubleshoot pumps, hoses, fittings, filters and tower components
Keep tools, spare parts, firewood and production supplies organized
Weigh, package, label and inspect finished salt
Pack wholesale cases and prepare orders for shipment
Assist with minor repairs, facility improvements and seasonal maintenance
Follow established food-safety, sanitation and workplace-safety procedures
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who is:
Dependable, punctual and ready to work
Energetic and comfortable with physical work
Mechanically curious and interested in learning how the complete system operates
Comfortable using basic hand tools
Attentive enough to notice when a sound, flow rate, temperature or piece of equipment doesn’t seem right
Careful with measurements, sanitation and recordkeeping
Able to perform repetitive tasks without allowing attention or quality to slip
Able to work independently once trained
Willing to ask questions rather than guess when safety or product quality is involved
Flexible enough to move between equipment operation, physical labor, cleaning, maintenance and packaging
Able to travel reliably to the Saltworks in Marshall
Experience with farming, irrigation, pumps, plumbing, construction, facilities maintenance, commercial kitchens, brewing, winemaking or small-scale manufacturing would be useful, but it is not required. Reliability, judgment, mechanical curiosity and willingness to learn matter more than formal experience.
Physical and Working Conditions
This position requires regularly lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; moving and stacking firewood and production materials; standing, bending, kneeling and working with your hands for extended periods; safely using ladders; and working around hot brine, wood fire, wet surfaces, pumps and moving water.
Work takes place indoors and outdoors in conditions that may be warm, cold, damp, windy or foggy. The right person must be able to perform physical and repetitive work while continuing to pay attention to safety and product quality.
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $20/hr +
Application instructions
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Deadline
no deadline