Position: Lead Grower – Evergreens Farm
Deadline to apply: November 4th, 2023
Compensation: $20-25/hour
Scope: Part-time – 20+ hours/week
Target Start Date: January 2024
Location: Fernie, BC
NOTE: YOU MUST CURRENTLY LIVE IN OR NEAR FERNIE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION
Wildsight Elk Valley – Lead Grower – Hydroponic Container Farm
Are you passionate about food, your community, and the environment? If so, consider joining our team as Wildsight Elk Valley is looking for a Lead Grower for our new social enterprise, Evergreens at the EcoGarden in Fernie, BC. This position requires a self-motivated, dynamic individual to work 20 hours a week. This part-time contract position pays $20-25 per hour, depending on experience, and is expected to start in January 2024. Applicants must be BC residents who can legally work in Canada and reside in the Elk Valley.
Job Summary
The Lead Grower at Evergreens will be responsible for the hydroponic production of leafy greens in a controlled environment container farm. Reporting to the Farm Manager, the Lead Grower will be responsible for the operation of the hydroponic container farm – including seeding, transplanting, harvesting, cleaning, packing, and distribution. The Lead Grower will be passionate about hydroponic growing and plants. They will be energetic, forward-thinking, and a creative individual with high standards and good judgment. The position will include a 2-week training at a container farm in Whitehorse, Yukon with the installation of the Evergreen structure planned to take place in December.
Job Responsibilities
- GROWING – day-to-day operation, preparing growing matter, seeding, germination processes, and transferring seedlings.
- PLANNING – all aspects of plant production including crop planning, nutrient & seed inventory, and supply management.
- MAINTAINING – clean and maintain the equipment and site. Utilize farm automation software that provides access to the farming container operations.
- MONITORING – Testing and monitoring ideal set points for temperature, humidity, water pH, and nutrient concentration, as well as watering and lighting schedules for crops utilizing automated system controls.
- HARVESTING – preparing crops for distribution e.g. trimming, washing. Verify quality of products.
- PACKAGING – fulfilling orders, weighing and packaging products, cleaning and tracking reusable containers.
- DISTRIBUTION – load product and help with order deliveries. Sort orders by delivery day and route. Coordination of product delivery to schools, food bank, restaurants, and Local.
- SAFETY – Perform all tasks while upholding high safety and food safety standards.
- COMMUNICATING – Utilize Basecamp project management software to communicate with colleges. Co-produce timely, and engaging of social media and other online content.
- TEAMWORK – Work in a team environment and collaborate effectively with youth, managers, and volunteers. Review plant production plans and report observations including plant abnormalities and hydroponic unit issues and with Farm Manager.
- MANUAL LABOR – including standing the entire shift, repetitive hand tasks, gripping, pinching, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and twisting, working in a warm hydroponic environment on a daily basis. Ability to consistently lift 20-40 lbs
Personal Competencies
- Passion for local, sustainable food and community
- Excellent communication skills
- Good interpersonal and teamwork skills
- Organizational and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills
- Computer literate
- Committed environmental ethic
- High attention to detail in an evolving, fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated capacity for self-directed and unsupervised work
- Past experience in controlled environment agriculture is not a requirement. Experience growing crops, either hydroponically and/or traditionally is a plus. Knowledge of basic agricultural growing practices, hydroponics, previous project management experience, and work with social enterprise is an asset.
How to Apply
Wildsight is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our hiring processes and work environment and we encourage women, people of colour, people of indigenous ancestry and LGBTQ2+ individuals to apply for this position.
Deadline to apply is November 4th, 2023. We will respond via email to all applicants by November 5th, 2023. Interviews will take place on November 6th & 7th.
Please send your resume (maximum 2 pages) and cover letter (maximum 1 page) to elkvalley@wildsight.ca
Organizational Background
The Elk Valley Branch of Wildsight is an BC registered non-profit organization, governed by an engaged Board of Directors and supported by active members and volunteers. Our work aims to promote environmental stewardship and conservation in our community.
Food security, access to locally produced food and food-growing space are priorities for the Elk Valley Branch. Our passionate volunteers built and managed the Community EcoGarden, the Cold Climate Seed Library, ToolShare, and recently launched a social enterprise store, Local, which aims to support community-powered food. The Fernie Container Farm will be operated as a social enterprise. We work together with Wildsight Regional and the five other Wildsight branches.
Wildsight’s vision is to inspire a shared community desire to protect our natural world for future generations. We envision extensive and connected wild spaces for wildlife—from grizzly bears to woodpeckers to trout. We envision clean air and clear water running from mountain watersheds to our lakes. We see thriving and sustainable communities made up of engaged and educated citizens.