Job Description
The Needham Community Farm (NCF) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a very active volunteer Board of Directors, a year-round Farm Manager, a year-round Assistant Manager, a Development Director, and several seasonal staff members. Our mission is to deepen our community's connection to nature, our food system and each other. Our primary focus is growing vegetables for our community. Beyond this, we focus on three intertwined program areas: 1) Providing farm-based educational opportunities for learning about sustainable growing and nutrition; 2) Increasing access to healthy produce for those in our community who experience food insecurity; and 3) Building community through volunteerism. We are not certified, but adhere to organic standards with minimal tillage.
The Assistant Farm Manager will be responsible for assisting in the management of all aspects of farm operations, which is primarily fieldwork as well as leading youth and adults in educational programming and volunteer days on the farm. The Assistant Farm Manager will also be responsible for managing the farm in the absence of the Farm Manager. This position reports to the Farm Manager.
This is a year-round position, with hours varying by the season, beginning in August, 2025. The position has full-time hours from April through October and part-time hours for November through March. Depending on the candidate’s availability and interest, this position may involve some work on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings or on some weekends. The bulk of the work will be weekdays between 8 and 4.
Assist in all aspects of farm management and operations
The Assistant Manager will partner with the Farm Manager to intensively grow vegetables for 60+ share CSA members (both main season and late fall shares) and food donation programs using sustainable and organic methods. The farm is currently farming on 2 acres using low-till practices with 2 high tunnels and use of an offsite greenhouse.
Participate in all aspects of farm operations including:
Farm maintenance and occasional construction projects
Greenhouse work, transplanting, direct seeding, weeding, pest and disease management
Harvest, wash and pack a wide variety of vegetables
Field walks, planning and crop status assessment.
Use of BCS walk-behind tractor for mowing, plowing and spreading compost
Depending on candidate’s interests, they may focus on farming and learning all aspects of farm management and/or they may take leadership in the following areas:
The Assistant Manager will manage and distribute produce through our food donation programs.
Set up and staff 2 weekly Mobile Markets at Needham Housing Authority sites
Work with staff at Needham Community Council to provide fresh produce for the food pantry
Lead volunteers in harvest and other farm work
In collaboration with the Farm Manager, the Assistant Manager will lead youth and adult volunteers in harvest, weeding, transplanting, seeding, and other farm projects
Demonstrate and oversee volunteer work while creating a collaborative learning environment
Track volunteer hours on site and maintain electronic records
Support education programs as needed
Work closely with seasonal staff and interns
Fill in as necessary to teach adult and/or family gardening class with adults and young children
Occasionally lead camp or field trip programming for youth
Support NCF organizational operations as needed
The Assistant Manager will provide administrative and organizational support as needed and directed by the Farm Manager and Board of Directors. The Needham Community Farm is a small organization, where all roles do a little bit of everything.
- Attend monthly board meetings as needed
- Collect and input data related to programming and farm operations
- Contribute to fundraising events, grant writing, etc. as needed
REQUIREMENTS:
- Knowledge of organic farming practices with at least 1-3 seasons of farming experience.
- Strong communication skills with diverse populations
- While there is public transportation to Needham, it is almost an hour to walk to the nearest bus/commuterrail stop from the farm. So, reliable transportation(car or bike) is necessary to get to the farm for most people.
- Must pass CORI/SORI background check. We have many volunteers of all ages visiting the farm, and some schools/youth groups require us to ensure all staff present have passed a background check.
- Experience in youth development, education, and/or volunteer management preferred
- Customer service or similar experience preferred
BENEFITS:
$20-$22/hour depending on experience
Time and a half paid for any time worked over 40 hours/week
Accrue paid time off and sick time
Somewhat flexible scheduling and remote work in the winter months
A free vegetable share to bring home from late May to mid December
Compensation this position is: hourly, $20/hr + Company description The Needham Community Farm (NCF) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a very active volunteer Board of Directors, a year-round Farm Manager, a year-round Assistant Manager, a Development Director, and several seasonal staff members. Our mission is to deepen our community's connection to nature, our food system and each other. Our primary focus is growing vegetables for our community. Beyond this, we focus on three intertwined program areas: 1) Providing farm-based educational opportunities for learning about sustainable growing and nutrition; 2) Increasing access to healthy produce for those in our community who experience food insecurity; and 3) Building community through volunteerism. We are not certified, but adhere to organic standards with minimal tillage.
Job description The Assistant Farm Manager will be responsible for assisting in the management of all aspects of farm operations, which is primarily fieldwork as well as leading youth and adults in educational programming and volunteer days on the farm. The Assistant Farm Manager will also be responsible for managing the farm in the absence of the Farm Manager. This position reports to the Farm Manager.
This is a year-round position, with hours varying by the season, beginning in August, 2025. The position has full-time hours from April through October and part-time hours for November through March. Depending on the candidate’s availability and interest, this position may involve some work on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings or on some weekends. The bulk of the work will be weekdays between 8 and 4.
Assist in all aspects of farm management and operations
The Assistant Manager will partner with the Farm Manager to intensively grow vegetables for 60+ share CSA members (both main season and late fall shares) and food donation programs using sustainable and organic methods. The farm is currently farming on 2 acres using low-till practices with 2 high tunnels and use of an offsite greenhouse.
Participate in all aspects of farm operations including:
Farm maintenance and occasional construction projects
Greenhouse work, transplanting, direct seeding, weeding, pest and disease management
Harvest, wash and pack a wide variety of vegetables
Field walks, planning and crop status assessment.
Use of BCS walk-behind tractor for mowing, plowing and spreading compost
Depending on candidate’s interests, they may focus on farming and learning all aspects of farm management and/or they may take leadership in the following areas:
Coordinate food donation programs
The Assistant Manager will manage and distribute produce through our food donation programs.
Set up and staff 2 weekly Mobile Markets at Needham Housing Authority sites
Work with staff at Needham Community Council to provide fresh produce for the food pantry
Lead volunteers in harvest and other farm work
In collaboration with the Farm Manager, the Assistant Manager will lead youth and adult volunteers in harvest, weeding, transplanting, seeding, and other farm projects
Demonstrate and oversee volunteer work while creating a collaborative learning environment
Track volunteer hours on site and maintain electronic records
Support education programs as needed
Work closely with seasonal staff and interns
Fill in as necessary to teach adult and/or family gardening class with adults and young children
Occasionally lead camp or field trip programming for youth
Support NCF organizational operations as needed
The Assistant Manager will provide administrative and organizational support as needed and directed by the Farm Manager and Board of Directors. The Needham Community Farm is a small organization, where all roles do a little bit of everything.
- Attend monthly board meetings as needed
- Collect and input data related to programming and farm operations
- Oversee volunteer waiver compliance
- Contribute to fundraising events, grant writing, etc. as needed
REQUIREMENTS:
- Knowledge of organic farming practices with at least 1-3 seasons of farming experience.
- Strong communication skills with diverse populations
- While there is public transportation to Needham, it is almost an hour to walk to the nearest bus/commuterrail stop from the farm. So, reliable transportation(car or bike) is necessary to get to the farm for most people.
- Must pass CORI/SORI background check. We have many volunteers of all ages visiting the farm, and some schools/youth groups require us to ensure all staff present have passed a background check.
- Experience in youth development, education, and/or volunteer management preferred
- Customer service or similar experience preferred
BENEFITS:
$20-$22/hour depending on experience
Time and a half paid for any time worked over 40 hours/week
Accrue paid time off and sick time
Somewhat flexible scheduling and remote work in the winter months
A free vegetable share to bring home from late May to mid December
Compensation this position is: hourly, $20/hr + Application instructions If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free! Deadline no deadline
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Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Part time, Seasonal work, Remote work, Flexible hours, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, Weekday work,