Vegetable Farm Equipment Operator And Groundskeeper

The Equipment Operator and Groundskeeper works with a wide array of equipment to keep the farm running efficiently, growing productively, and looking good! This position reports to the HELO (Hay, Equipment, Livestock and Orchard) Manager. The HELO manager will regularly task this position with tractor operation in support of hay, veggie, and orchard production, and will delegate irrigation, fencing, and groundskeeping tasks to this position as well. To fill hours in shoulder seasons, this position will also collaborateon construction projects and equipment maintenance.

Position Responsibilities

Equipment Operation

• Vegetable crops; Operate discs, tiller, cultivating sweeps, basket weeder, plastic layer, water wheel transplanter, undercutter, sprayers
• Hay production; Operate tedder, rake, hay trailers
• Loader work; Operate bucket & forks
• Basic maintenance; Grease fittings, monitor for repair needs, make in-field adjustments, assist with shop repairs

Irrigation

• Set up and take down irrigation systems at start and end of season
• Monitor weather, soil moisture levels, and crop water needs
• Assist with irrigation system moving and setup during cultivation and tillage
• Run irrigation as needed at appropriate times of day
• Keep irrigation records
• Make repairs and keep system in working order

Grounds Keeping & Maintenance

• Mow/weed whack fence lines
• Mow vegetable field headlands and orchard aisles
• Mow lawns
• Keep outdoor public and production areas tidy and attractive
• Plow snow from farm stand parking, barnyards, and farm housing
• Grade and repair farm roads and parking lots
• Set up and maintain deer exclusion fencing
• Keep equipment areas orderly and all equipment in its designated location

Carpentry & Construction

• Assist with farm-related carpentry, building, and renovation projects, e.g. framing walls, building animal shelters/feeders, repairing greenhouse tables, pouring concrete, installing fences, etc.

Required Skills

• Tractor and relevant equipment operation, minimum 1 year experience
• Intermediate equipment maintenance & repair
• Intermediate carpentry
• Hay making, minimum 1 season experience

Position Expectations

• An efficient work style; work and transition between tasks quickly
• Stamina to work long hours outdoors and lift/carry up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, sit, kneel, walk, and stand
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards of outcome (timely irrigation of crops, weed-free fields, tidy work areas, etc)
• Willingness to work some weekend and evening hours during peak season
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Strong communication skills

Duration of Season & Work Schedule

• This is a seasonal contract, with the possibility of extended work for the right fit.
• 40 hours per week May 1-October 31, plus haying hours as described below.
• Additional hours will be required to complete peak-season farm work (e.g. getting the hay in before a rain or cultivating a crop at a critical life stage). This employee is key to the haying operation. They should be fully prepared to work long days, during about 6 ~4-5 day weather-determined windows each summer, mostly in June and late August, to bring in hay. These work days will require hours well outside the normal working hours particularly on the ‘pickup’ days, which may fall on the weekend.

View the full job description at https://www.sweetlandfarmvt.com/employment/

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 – 50 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Farming: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person