Position: Director of
Operations
Organization: Sole Food Farms
Location: Vancouver, British
Columbia
Operations
Organization: Sole Food Farms
Location: Vancouver, British
Columbia
Sole
Food Street Farms is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee and operate
all aspects of its farms. We are looking for someone who is able to manage and
work alongside a large staff including lon
Food Street Farms is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee and operate
all aspects of its farms. We are looking for someone who is able to manage and
work alongside a large staff including lon
g-time employees and seasonal
volunteers. The position will be expected to actively participate in all of the
day-to-day work with employees in addition to applicable office work. The right
candidate will be production driven, but also socially engaged and excited
about working with diverse groups of people in an urban environment.
Who
We Are
We Are
Sole
Food Street Farms transforms vacant urban land into street farms that grow
artisan quality fruits and vegetables, available at farmer’s markets, local
restaurants and retail outlets, and through a CSA program. Sole Food’s mission
is to empower individuals with limited resources by providing jobs,
agricultural training and inclusion in a supportive community of farmers and
food lovers. Individuals are given basic agriculture training and are employed
at the farm based on their capability. Some participants excel in this
environment, but the project is set up to allow for the “ups and downs” of
people with multiple barriers. For some individuals, a weekly shift at Sole
Food is one of the only meaningful engagements they hold. Unlike mainstream
employers, Sole Food uses employment as an outreach tactic, working to build
and nurture relationships with even the most challenging individuals.
Food Street Farms transforms vacant urban land into street farms that grow
artisan quality fruits and vegetables, available at farmer’s markets, local
restaurants and retail outlets, and through a CSA program. Sole Food’s mission
is to empower individuals with limited resources by providing jobs,
agricultural training and inclusion in a supportive community of farmers and
food lovers. Individuals are given basic agriculture training and are employed
at the farm based on their capability. Some participants excel in this
environment, but the project is set up to allow for the “ups and downs” of
people with multiple barriers. For some individuals, a weekly shift at Sole
Food is one of the only meaningful engagements they hold. Unlike mainstream
employers, Sole Food uses employment as an outreach tactic, working to build
and nurture relationships with even the most challenging individuals.
Individuals
are trained to install and manage small production farms on leased urban lots.
Produce grown from the farms is washed, cooled, and consolidated at a central
location, then sold to restaurants, at farmers markets and distributed to
community organizations. With few significant food production farms within the
city, the project provides modeling and education opportunities to a population
that has little connection to the natural world or to their food sources. The
farm provides employees with a place to learn new skills and an opportunity for
self-growth.
are trained to install and manage small production farms on leased urban lots.
Produce grown from the farms is washed, cooled, and consolidated at a central
location, then sold to restaurants, at farmers markets and distributed to
community organizations. With few significant food production farms within the
city, the project provides modeling and education opportunities to a population
that has little connection to the natural world or to their food sources. The
farm provides employees with a place to learn new skills and an opportunity for
self-growth.
Sole
Food now includes a network of farms throughout the city that are providing
meaningful employment to 25 individuals. The farms are supplying fresh food to
city residents, and presenting a successful credible model of high quality
innovative agriculture within the urban context.
Food now includes a network of farms throughout the city that are providing
meaningful employment to 25 individuals. The farms are supplying fresh food to
city residents, and presenting a successful credible model of high quality
innovative agriculture within the urban context.
The
Position
Position
This
candidate will work closely with the current Director of Operations and
Executive Director to implement Sole Food’s seasonal farm plan and manage time
and staffing to efficiently meet production requirements. This is a
transitional position and will involve a long training period working with existing
staff with the goal of stepping fully into the Director of Operations role late
in the summer 2016. The ideal candidate will be ready to make a multi-year
commitment to our organization.
candidate will work closely with the current Director of Operations and
Executive Director to implement Sole Food’s seasonal farm plan and manage time
and staffing to efficiently meet production requirements. This is a
transitional position and will involve a long training period working with existing
staff with the goal of stepping fully into the Director of Operations role late
in the summer 2016. The ideal candidate will be ready to make a multi-year
commitment to our organization.
Specific
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Management
- Manage
staff and farm operations - Create
and submit to Executive Director a detailed annual crop plan, Including
rotations, planting map, greenhouse seeding, seed inventory, and plant and
seed orders - Ensure
high quality and timely production - Communicate
product availability to Distribution Coordinator for use in sales
decisions - Manage
scheduling and staffing for farmers’ markets - With
Farm Supervisors, coordinate and deliver yearly performance reviews to all
farm staff - Oversee
the work of the Farm Supervisors and farm staff - Ensure
that Distribution Coordinator and Farm Supervisors have information,
tools, supplies and support to do their jobs effectively - Create
opportunities for staff recognition and appreciation - Build
capacity in all staff members to further organizational development and
help staff realize their full potential.
Farm
Site
Site
- Basic
tool and equipment maintenance - Maintaining
a clean and orderly environment - Support
in CSA and farmers markets - Soil
fertility and preparation - Seed
selection and plant propagation - Direct
seeding and transplanting - Maintenance
of all farm equipment and facilities, supervision of repair and
maintenance work - Maintenance
of accurate records of all farm activities - Create
weekly work plan for site staff - Create
and weekly staff schedule - Manage
all farm site operations: soil prep, planting, cultivation, irrigation,
harvesting - Create
planting schedule based on crop plan and changing market needs - On
farm training for staff. - Maintenance
of accurate records of all farm activities. - Weekly
reporting to Administrative Director and Executive Director - Maintain
all sites in a clean and orderly fashion
Other
- Perform
tours or other farm-related public activities as needed - With
Executive Director build and maintain connections with other community
groups to help create opportunities for partnerships. - Participate
in grant writing related to on-farm activities - Work
with community partners to support programming for staff members - Provide
support to staff when needed. Keep informed of staff well being, needs,
and concerns. - With
Executive Director and Administrative Director evaluate staff wages
annually - With
Executive Director and Administrative director, create yearly workshop and
skill-building schedule for staff.
REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum
of 3+ years of agricultural production experience, with at least one year
in a leadership role. - Demonstrated
understanding of sustainable and organic production. - Experience
with irrigation, farm equipment, and carpentry skills preferred - Strong
organizational skills including: multi-tasking, prioritizing, planning,
and effective time management; - Motivated,
flexible and ability to work independently - Fluency
in written and spoken English - Demonstrated
experience working with diverse populations - Valid
driver’s license and able to drive manual transmission and larger vehicles - Access
to computer and phone - Be
in excellent physical condition and able to lift 50 lbs. - The
successful candidate will be patient and compassionate with a sharp sense
of humour and excellent interpersonal skills.
This
position is year-round starting mid-February 2016, with an average of 40
hours/week. Must be available to work weekends and occasional evenings. Salary
commensurate with experience includes two weeks paid vacation, extended health
benefits, and access to farm products.
position is year-round starting mid-February 2016, with an average of 40
hours/week. Must be available to work weekends and occasional evenings. Salary
commensurate with experience includes two weeks paid vacation, extended health
benefits, and access to farm products.
Please
send resume, cover letter and three work related references to info
solefoodfarms.com* .
Please put Director of Operations Application in the subject of the email.
Applications will be accepted until November 12 and we expect to begin
interviewing at the beginning of December.
send resume, cover letter and three work related references to info
solefoodfarms.com* .Please put Director of Operations Application in the subject of the email.
Applications will be accepted until November 12 and we expect to begin
interviewing at the beginning of December.
