FARM ASSISTANT

City Slicker Farms, a non-profit urban farming program in West Oakland, California is seeking qualified applicants for our Farm Assistant position. This is a great position for motivated people who are interested in all aspects of community food security and food justice. The Farm Assistant reports directly to the Operations Manager. The Farm Assistant will work in multiple areas of our program.

The Community Market Farms Program takes vacant or underutilized land and transforms it into market farms. All the food produced on the farms is distributed on a donation-only basis at our Saturday farm stand. In an area where access to healthy foods is limited, it is our farms that make it possible for many families to eat fresh vegetables rather than processed foods. The program creates sustainable food systems that provide affordable, nutritious food directly to traditionally underserved populations in West Oakland.

Farm Assistant Responsibilities:
- Farm work (planning, obtaining supplies, planting, harvesting, integrated pest management, maintaining tools and toolsheds, composting, fruit tree care, etc.)
- Drip irrigation installation and maintenance
- Greenhouse management
- Volunteer management (both youth and adults)
- Light construction/carpentry (ex. planter box building, fixing fences)
- Animal husbandry (chicken and bee care)
- Farmstand sales
- Community outreach
- Technical assistance for community members
- Farm supplies management
- Administrative work
- Record keeping
- Give talks and presentations about City Slicker Farms and food/social justice related topics

Skills Required:
- Able and willing to do hard manual labor and lift at least 50 pounds
- Basic gardening and/or farming skills
- Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, e-mail, etc.)
- Organizational and communication skills (record-keeping, data entry, planning, filing, managing schedules, e-mail, etc)
- Experience working with a diverse group of people (age, race, gender, ethnicity, economic status)
- Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a dump truck
- Ability to ride a bicycle and haul a bike trailer
- Outgoing and friendly with the public
- Ability to stay on task while handling multiple distractions and think on your feet
- Comfortable directing volunteer workers and giving feedback
- Attention to detail (attractive produce displays, clean tool sheds, etc.)
- Ability to instruct community members in gardening techniques
- Committed to social justice
- Good sense of humor

Skills Preferred:
- At least one year of farming or gardening experience
- Spanish speaker
- Basic construction/carpentry experience
- Experience with drip irrigation
- Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers

Work Schedule and Benefits:
- 70% FTE, Fridays and Saturdays required
- Two weeks paid holiday in December plus two weeks paid vacation (70% FTE)
- Compensation negotiable based on skills. Please submit your salary request with your cover letter and resume.


Please submit resume, cover letter and salary request using one of the following methods:
1.) email to jobs@cityslickerfarms.org, or 2.) postal mail to City Slicker Farms, Attn: Julie Pavuk, Operations Manager, 1625 16th St., Oakland, CA 94607.

Applications will be accepted until January 2, 2012. Job opening will be posted until filled.

People of color and West Oakland residents are encouraged to apply.