Red Fire Farm is looking for an Assistant Harvest Manager for the 2024 season to help oversee all aspects of harvest and field work at our Montague farm. The ideal candidate has experience working on a diverse, vegetable farm and is committed to growing local organic food. This person will be working closely with our Harvest Manager and other management staff; as well as helping to lead farm crews. They must be able to work well both independently and collaboratively. We need someone who is organized, hardworking, and thinks creatively to solve problems and improve systems. This position is a two year minimum commitment to learn to manage harvest and take over leadership in the following year.
Management

• Read farm owner’s “Weekly List” and “Weekly Harvest Plans and Notes” before work every Monday and implement notes
• Define and maintain schedules for work day processes – make sure meeting goals, allocate, oversee hires, call in, send home or lay off crew
• Overall management of labor efficiency for harvest –such as position planning, and labor allocation, define training goals, training schedule and bring in assistance as needed

Harvest Responsibilities

Help with these areas of managing harvest, in tandem with the Harvest Manager:

• Create daily harvest lists with crew and field information
• Manage the morning meeting, along with the Production Manager, for concise communication and fast activation of all farm crews
• Coordinate with farm crews throughout the day for harvest and field work to ensure efficiency
• Lead or be on harvest crews when not fulfilling other duties
• Coordinate harvest changes to orders and CSA with farm owners and other department managers
• Oversight and double-checking of farm quality standards
• Train new crew members
• Oversee the team of Farm Crew Leaders
• Give harvest tips at morning meeting as new crops come online for the season, based on weekly list details
• Help insure food safety standards are being met and exceeded
• Check back stock in coolers daily for use towards harvest and give back stock reports to other managers as needed

Requirements

• Applicants MUST have a valid driver’s license to be considered for the position; no exceptions. (Driving crews from one field to another is a requirement.)
• Experience harvesting a diversity of produce
• A desire and willingness to work outside (in the rain and the heat & cold too!)
• Comfortable with computers, email and Excel
• Must be able to lift 30-50 lbs repeatedly and easily, and work physically all day
• Must work well in teams
• Must have a good attitude and be willing to learn
• Bilingual English and Spanish candidate encouraged to apply!

Schedule & Hours

Work hours are either Monday-Friday 7 am – 6 pm or Sunday-Thursday 7 am – 6 pm (hours vary depending on the time of season, and we work shorter days on Fridays and Sundays). This position can start part time work in March or April and continue with full-time hours starting in May through mid December. Winter work may be available.

Other Perks

All the organic veggies you can eat!
Fresh air and exercise
An open, friendly environment where your feedback is welcomed
Opportunities to advance and build on your skills
Spanish language practice
Location: This position is based at 184 Meadow Road in Montague

Job Type: Full-time, year round, flexible hours: fewer during the winter months (December thru February)

Pay: Compensation based on experience