What are the responsibilities and job description for the Farm Operations Assistant position at Fairplex Child Development Center?
The Farm is a 5-acre agriculture and food production facility that exists as a community and educational resource under the Fairplex Learning and Development Center [501(c)(3)]. The Farm serves as an outdoor agricultural classroom for a portion of the nonprofit’s educational offerings. As a year-round working farm, it involves specialized operations such as nursery care, grow room operations, irrigation planning and maintenance, planting and harvesting strategies, propagation, and soil health management. Unique to The Farm at Fairplex is its integration with year-round, public benefit events, while also producing healthy food. Under the direction of the Farm Manager, the Farm Operations Assistant (FOA) supports efficient farm operations (such as general farm maintenance, crop and livestock care, increased food production, composting efforts, farm safety protocols); engages in related administrative duties; and works collaboratively with farm staff, volunteers, and community partners to enhance production, service, and educational offerings.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support the Farm Manager in increasing The Farm's food production and community service capacities.
- Assist in field operations, including crop planning and planting, irrigation planning, in coordination with other farm personnel.
- Contribute to propagation efforts, including nursery and grow room operations, under the Farm Manager’s guidance.
- Assist with composting operations, aligning scheduled turnings with volunteer support, and acquiring appropriate composting materials and equipment.
- Help maintain relationships with vendors to ensure timely procurement of farm supplies.
- Engage and assist volunteers during scheduled workdays and events.
- Collaborate with the Farm Manager in planning and scheduling farm tour and community volunteer events.
- Support farm-to-community engagement such as plant sales, workshops, and event activation partnerships.
- Assist with administrative tasks related to farm data collection, including harvest data, compost tracking data, partner data, materials inventories (plants, seeds, irrigation supplies, etc.), food distribution data, and animal care documentation, such as veterinary visits, health risks, disease tracking, necropsy records, and medical records.
- Assist with in-house horticultural operations training, including safety training for staff or volunteers.
- Assist in fostering a safe, professional, and collaborative working environment for staff, volunteers, and guests.
- Knowledge and experience in the areas of horticulture, urban farming, irrigation planning.
- Knowledge and experience with best practices in organic gardening, pest management, nursery and grow room operations, water-wise gardening, and small spaced growing solutions.
- Some knowledge related to technical aspects of agriculture such as irrigation time clocks, related computer apps, aquaponics and/or hydroponics operations.
- Strong organizational skills related to crop and propagation planning with effective operational follow-through abilities particularly in the pertinent areas of farm operations.
- Interest and growing knowledge of regenerative agricultural practices.
- Team-oriented mindset and a willingness to collaborate.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with professional etiquette in-person, on the phone, and via email.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Google Workspace, and Microsoft Teams.
- Experience with data collection and analysis.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB
- Ability to participate in moderate physical activity, including lifting up to 25 lbs.
- Comfortable working in varying weather conditions, such as heat, rain, and cold.
- Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and during varying event timeframes.
- Capacity for prolonged periods of standing and walking, as well as stooping, climbing ladders, and stairs.
- Must have reliable transportation and California Driver’s License.
