Farm Horticulturalist

CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Position Title: Farm Horticulturalist

Department: Weddington Farm

Reports To: Farm Manager

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Term: 12 Months

Mission Statement

Through excellence in education, Charlotte Country Day School develops the potential of each student by fostering intellectual curiosity, principled character, ethical leadership, and a responsibility to serve.

School Overview

Charlotte Country Day School (Country Day) is one of the largest independent, co-educational schools in the Charlotte area and one of the 15 largest in the continental United States. Enrollment is very strong, and the school is thriving. Highly regarded for the rigor of its academic program and the breadth of its offerings in the arts, athletics, community service, and leadership, Country Day is noteworthy for a long tradition of positioning itself at the forefront of curricular innovation.

A strong, forward-thinking institution, Country Day offers every child a chance to shine. The school is a diverse, inclusive community with strong academic and co-curricular programs designed for students to learn to think critically, act respectfully, and show sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others. The unique curriculum offered by Country Day prepares and strengthens students for participation in their local and global communities. With its focus on diversity, service, global study, and technology, Country Day has positioned itself as a school of the 21st century.

Country Day is committed to living as an authentic, inclusive community. Our pursuit of this commitment to community recognizes and affirms the richness brought by difference and discovered through commonality.

Position Summary

The Farm Horticulturalist will be responsible for all aspects of planning, cultivation and harvesting of the educational farm at Weddington Farm. This requires creating a farm that provides a safe, positive, and educational environment for students who visit the farm for field trips, summer internships, and community experiences. This position reports to the Weddington Farm Manager and supports the Director of Educational Programming (DOE).

Key Functions

• Plan and manage crop production to maximize the use of farm produce
• Manage day-to-day farm operations, track progress and quality of work including;

• greenhouse/in-ground seeding
• planting
• cultivation
• irrigation
• crop care
• harvest and washing

• Develop an annual farm budget, invoices, and sales to Dining Services and Charlotte Country Day School and/or whole food distributors
• Supervise summer farm staff in fulfilling the operations of the farm
• Support honeybee operations in coordination with the Farm Manager and DOE

Preparation and Maintenance

• Performs maintenance and care for landscape grounds and some turf

• Scouting and treating crop pests and diseases. Apply fertilizers and weed control chemicals in compliance with state law
• Maintains, repairs and connects irrigation equipment and waters lawns and flower beds
• Safe operation, cleaning, and storage of farm equipment and all areas
• Support livestock maintenance

Student and Community Engagement

• Maintain the farm core site as a community space
• Liaise with DOE for visits to the farm and student engagement opportunities
• Support student-driven research and projects, such as special topics courses
• Teach and lead seeding, planting and cultivating crops, as well as harvesting and washing crops

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent customer service skills with ability to deliver exceptional customer experience and work with a wide variety of people (staff, members, visiting guest)
• Ability to become quickly familiar with Weddington Farm property and programs
• Knowledge of climate and growing conditions in North Carolina
• Must be comfortable facilitating other recreational opportunities
• Must be comfortable teaching guests who have varying levels of experience in different outdoor activities

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in horticulture or minimum 2-year work experience in landscaping, farming, horticulture or other relevant field or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and focused on the guest experience
• Excellent organizational skills
• Willingness to receive feedback, grow personally and professionally, and develop new skills

Additional Requirements

• Valid Driver's License
• First aid/CPR certifications, training will be provided
• Wilderness First Aid Certified preferred, training will be provided

Physical Requirements

Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects when needed. Physical demands are mostly on foot; must be able to remain on feet for extended periods working outdoors in all-weather conditions in a highly physical role.

It is the policy of Charlotte Country Day School not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy extends to recruitment, employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, compensation, training, benefits and all other terms and conditions of employment.