Agricultural Technical Assistance Manager (part-time)
Boston Farms Community Land Trust] is seeking a self-directed, personable, knowledgeable, detail-oriented individual to provide our farmers with support and to oversee land stewardship of our urban farm sites in Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury.
Hours: Half-time (20-25 hours/week, semi-flexible scheduling)
Location: Fowler Clark Epstein Farm, Mattapan (mostly in-person with some remote work)
Application Deadline: December 31, 2023, 5pm EST
Compensation: $35-40 hour (depending on experience), plus part-time-equivalent vacation benefits
Responsibilities:
Farmer Selection & Support
- Recruit applicants to lease farm sites, oversee selection and leasing, manage ongoing lessor-lessee relations including revenue collection
- Develop and coordinate technical assistance, education, and other supportive programming to promote the success of lessee farmers
- Co-chair the Farmer Support Committee of our board with a board member to promote and steer economic development and business viability for farm businesses consistent with our Vision Statement.
Land Stewardship
- Ensure that all Boston Farms properties are managed with organic and regenerative agricultural practices
- Manage shared greenhouse operations, ensuring the health and safety of plants
- Launch, maintain, and co-design farm demonstration site
- Manage contractors to conduct site maintenance (e.g. snow removal, fence repairs, perimeter weeding), including cost estimating, vendor bidding and oversight, and lessee billings
- Open and close sites at the start & end of the season, and ensure sites are visually appealing
- Manage recurring bills and expenses (e.g. water, electricity, property taxes)
- Maintain property insurance and ensure sites meet safety and liability standards
- Coordinate site capital improvements (e.g. fencing, drainage systems) as needed
- Administrative work as necessary (e.g. maintenance of detailed financial and communication records
Requirements:
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5+ years of experience in agricultural management, horticultural management, land preservation, or environmental management
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Hands on experience with crop production and planning, marketing, financial management, farm infrastructure management, and business planning. Experience with livestock and apiary management is a plus but not required.
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Strong teaching/facilitation, organization, communication, and community relations
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Be able to work all types of weather conditions
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Comfort with Google Docs, Microsoft Word/Excel, or equivalent platforms
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Access to reliable private transportation is necessary
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Preferences: Basic carpentry, plumbing, painting, and landscaping with an eye for quality outcomes and attention to detail, willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule; resides close to our farmsites
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Key Characteristics: driven, self-directed, eager to learn, personable, attentive to detail, flexible, ability to lead and work under pressure, strong leadership, diplomacy, mentoring/coaching skills
About the Boston Farms Community Land Trust:
Boston Farms is a community land development and management nonprofit. We build and protect urban farms across the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, making our farms accessible to Black and Brown neighborhood farmers and supporting their success. As a community land trust, we are structured to enact local and collective control of land. We own 5 sites and will expand further in the coming years.
To Apply: Please be sure to read this posting thoroughly. If interested, please email your cover letter and resume to jobs@bostonfarms, with the subject line ‘Agricultural Technical Assistance Manager Application’. We welcome diverse candidates and residents of our neighborhoods of Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury.