Assistant Farm Manager at Brooklyn Grange, LLC – Brooklyn, New York

Title: ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER

BROOKLYN GRANGE ROOFTOP FARM (Sunset Park)

Location: BROOKLYN, NY

Job Type: Full-Time, Seasonal

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Brooklyn Grange, the world's leading soil-based rooftop farming business, is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Assistant Farm Manager to help manage our site in Sunset Park (SP), Brooklyn, NY. The Assistant Farm Manager will report to the Farm Manager. The Assistant Farm Manager will be responsible for helping to manage all day-to-day operations at their respective site, including: directing, training, and managing staff; crop planning, and management of seeds and supplies; propagating crops in the greenhouse; cultivating and harvesting field crops; planning and packing crops for our community partners, CSA, and wholesale accounts; soil management, pest control, irrigation maintenance, and management of on-site composting; implementing food safety protocols; helping with data collection and recordkeeping; coordinating with onsite and offsite team members; helping with infrastructure projects and maintenance; winterizing the farm as the season winds down; and maintaining a clean, organized, and safe space across the rooftop.

The Assistant Farm Manager should be personable, an excellent communicator, and motivated to take initiative and responsibility. A team player, the ideal candidate demonstrates good judgment and maturity in leading a team, motivates by example, and helps uphold Brooklyn Grange’s culture of respect and inclusion. The Assistant Farm Manager should also continually be proactive in tending to the farm and the rooftop, and improving upon systems.

SCHEDULE:

The Assistant Farm Manager is required to be on site 30-40+ hours during the growing season, starting in April through mid-November with many early mornings during peak season. Scheduled work for the position will typically be Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend hours during the peak growing season to check the greenhouse.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Brooklyn Grange is the world's largest green roof farming and intensive green roof business. We grow vegetables, and we design/install/maintain green roofs, gardens, and farms for clients ranging from private homes, to corporate headquarters, to non-profit organizations and schools. We also host programming & events on our rooftop farms in Brooklyn, NY.

All three of our departments -- Farm, Programming & Events department, and our Design/Build/Maintenance department -- are part of a close-knit, nimble team. Working with Brooklyn Grange means working alongside a diverse team of extraordinary and knowledgeable individuals who share a common goal of making their city a greener, more sustainable, delicious, and equitable place to live.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Farm Manager with all farm-related activities, including: propagation, planting and cultivation, and keeping related records and data. Manage disease and pest concerns, maintain soil health, set up and maintain irrigation.

• Work alongside the Farm Manager in crop planning and assist in keeping related records and data (e.g. update planting logs).

• Assist the Farm Manager and BG team with rooftop facilities maintenance, ensuring a clean, well-functioning, and safe space (both farmed and non-farmed spaces) at all times. Undertake facilities-related improvements and adhere to maintenance schedules and best practices. Assist with perennial plant care on the roof, as necessary.

• Help train, support, and manage farm crew on all field duties and farm practices. Be a pace-setter and an advocate for the farm team. Work with Farm Manager to create daily task-lists and understand and set the flow of the week as the season moves from Spring to peak-Summer to Fall.

• Engage in manual field work, including bed preparation, hand-weeding, harvesting and packing produce, etc. As this is a rooftop farm, only small machinery and hand tools are available.

• Receive visitors to the farm with professionalism and hospitality, while maintaining company rules and regulations.

• Work closely with other departments, especially the Programming & Events department, to ensure the smooth operation of the business, maintain the farm as an events-ready space, and communicate proactively about issues that may impact the operations of other departments.

• Harvest, wash, and pack produce for orders; communicate with the various outlets that receive our produce, including community partners, CSA members, and wholesale accounts.

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THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Has undergone training in organic or low-input vegetable production, and has at least 2 seasons of relevant experience with production farming (or equivalent).

• Has experience with succession planting, crop rotation, composting, soil health, and harvesting.

• Is familiar with tools such as seeders, bed rollers, hand tillers, etc.

• Is able to work independently, be very self-motivated, and possesses a great work ethic. Can both take initiative and work collaboratively.

• Possesses excellent leadership skills, can take direction, works well with others and can motivate a team, and feels strongly about working in an environment that is open and welcoming to all.

• Is organized and professional, responds to emails in a timely fashion, can navigate Google Drive and Slack, record and enter data into spreadsheets, etc.

• Takes pride in maintaining clean, welcoming, and aesthetically driven work and farm spaces.

• Must enjoy working outdoors in any weather.

• Is able to lift 50 lbs repeatedly, and to squat, bend over, and reach for extended periods of time.

• Experience cultivating flowers and making bouquets/floral arrangements is a plus.

• Ability to speak Mandarin and/or Spanish is a plus.

• Driver’s license and experience driving in NYC preferred.

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• A progressive work environment that values teamwork, learning, and a solutions-oriented mindset. We work hard, we problem-solve, and we aim to approach challenges with curiosity and care.

• Hourly Rate: $25.58

• Employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision benefits available, effective the first full month following hire

• Employer matched up to 3% - Simple IRA, Retirement Savings Plan

• Generous Paid Time Off

• 5 days of Sick and Safe Leave annually

• Discounted Employee CSA offering

• Access to NYC’s most delicious vegetables when in season

To Apply: Please submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining your relevant work experience and interest in the position. Minimum of two professional references required.

Brooklyn Grange is committed to supporting a diverse and multicultural team, and fostering an inclusive workplace. We consider all individuals for employment without regard to race, religion, age, sex, gender, disability, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you don’t meet every requirement of this position, but you are excited about the role and your past/lived experience meet some of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.