The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at UC Santa Cruz is hiring a Field Production Site Manager. See the job summary and qualifications, below.
For information on specific job duties and to apply, see the UCSC Employment site, www.ucsc.edu/about/employment.html. Click on the Staff Employment link and choose Search Postings (in the upper left-hand bar). Enter the job number #1506074. Select “View” under the Job Title: Field Site Manager to see details.
The initial review date for the position is January 5, 2016.
Summary
The Field Production Site Manager will join a team of experienced farmers and gardeners and assume primary responsibility for day-to-day operations of the CASFS Farm, a highly complex diversified agricultural system. These include crop planning for the field site production as well as marketing and sales management of produce for the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Along with the other site managers, the incumbent shares responsibility for wholesale, farm cart and dining hall production; tillage and cultivation systems; irrigation infrastructure and function; and ecological stewardship of the overall 30-acre farm site.
For the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture (AEH), the Field Production Site Manager will participate in the AEH apprentice selection committee, curriculum meetings, policy meetings, and apprenticeship orientation sessions as well as mentor and supervise second-year apprentices in all aspects of field production and management, including irrigation and marketing. The incumbent will plan and coordinate daily work and learning activities for first-year apprentices that fulfill core curricular goals of experiential education in the AEH.
The incumbent will play a key role in maintaining a safe and orderly public farm. The incumbent will create a safe environment where a diverse group of participants can prosper. The Field production site manager also supports learning by degree-program students, including undergraduates and graduate students.
Qualifications / Competencies
Graduation from college with a degree in an agriculturally related field or one year of supervisory experience in farming operations or an equivalent combination of education, farming and teaching experience.
Demonstrated working knowledge of agroecological principles and organic farming systems including: soil fertility, tillage, composting, irrigation, crop planning and crop rotation, direct sowing and transplanting, water conservation strategies, pest and disease control, harvest and post-harvest handling.
2.5 equivalent years of tractor driving experience (equates to a minimum 500 hours of tractor operation).
Knowledge in the use and maintenance of mid-sized farm tractors and the range of implements suited to row crop production.
Knowledge of the safe and effective use and maintenance of small engine equipment such as chainsaws, mowers and weed whackers.
Ability to demonstrate interpersonal skills to communicate verbally and in writing in a professional manner to diverse populations, including students, faculty, staff, university administrators, farmers and vendors.
Skills in record keeping, using a computer in a professional environment, including word processing and spreadsheets.
Effective leadership and team management skills.
Ability to balance the dual responsibilities of teaching and production on a working demonstration and education farm.
Interest and experience in furthering social justice in food systems.
Experience teaching in an applied agricultural setting.
Demonstrated ability to meet the needs of all students and to create an environment, in both the classroom and fields, where all participants are valued and given the opportunity to prosper.
Preferred Qualifications / Competencies
Ability to communicate in Spanish, or another language both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated working knowledge of the food system, labor and immigration issues, food access, food justice and food sovereignty and the ability to facilitate dialogue and reflection on these subjects with CASFS' various audiences.
City:
Santa Cruz