Farm Operations Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kenyon College is conducting a search for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Kenyon Farm Production Manager to oversee vegetable production and small livestock care on our 10-acre farm. This position will be the face and voice of the farm and will work closely with the Farm Operations Manager to increase access to local food for Kenyon College and the wider community. This position works closely with the Kenyon Farm Operations Manager to ensure the Farm is an educational resource at a liberal arts institution, providing opportunities for students and faculty to engage with the study, research, and production of regenerative food systems.  

Essential Functions

Vegetable Production and Livestock Care

• Collaborate with the Kenyon Farm Operations Manager to develop and implement the daily operating plan, including organizing student workers, part-time workers, volunteers to conduct all aspects of vegetable production and livestock care, including but not limited to bed preparation, planting, crop maintenance, harvest, preparation and distribution of farm produce to customers and the community, and care of livestock.
• Oversee all aspects of vegetable production and livestock care.  Work alongside student workers, volunteers and part-time workers in the fields and high tunnels as much as possible.
• Develop, market and lead volunteer opportunities relating to vegetable production and livestock care.
• Develop and implement annual planting plans in collaboration with the Farm team, interested faculty, AVI and other Kenyon/community stakeholders.
• Operate agricultural equipment including tractors, PTO implements, and other power and hand tools, as needed.

Academic and Community Programming

• Collaborate with the Director of the BFEC/Farm to promote and guide experiential learning at the Kenyon Farm.
• Work closely with faculty across the curriculum to provide meaningful engagement at the farm in support of courses.  This includes but is not limited to offering discourse on food and agriculture and how they relate to environment, culture, economics, ethics and public health; offering farm tours; designing and teaching practicums related to sustainable farming.
• Create space for and support academic research projects (relating to vegetable production and livestock care) in partnership with faculty and students.
• Collaborate with the Kenyon Farm Operations Manager to plan and implement annual events (i.e., Family Weekend event, faculty happy hours, etc.), including set up, tear down, and event supervision when necessary.
• Collaborate with BFEC's Assistant Director of Academic and Community Programming to plan and/or support co-curricular, extra-curricular and community informal education programs and events. 
• Maintain knowledge of leading sustainable food programs in higher education and best practices at campus farms to guide the direction of the Kenyon Farm development and to enhance opportunities for academic inquiry. Collaborate with the Director, BFEC & Farm to promote these opportunities.

Administrative

• Work closely with the Director, BFEC/Farm to strategize and implement direction of the Kenyon Farm in developing project goals and strategy, including curricular engagement, expansion of farm production, and public programming.
• Work closely with the Kenyon Farm Operations Manager to hire and onboard student workers (during the academic year), summer interns, and any part-time employees. 
• Train, supervise, and evaluate student workers (during the academic year), summer interns and part-time employees regarding vegetable production and livestock care.
• Provide input to Director, BFEC/Farm for annual budget, expenditures and revenue.
• Provide input to Director, BFEC/Farm regarding "lessons learned" from vegetable production and livestock care.
• Maintain detailed tracking of all aspects of vegetable production and livestock care, including but not limited to crop and animal selection, planting maps, harvest donations/sales, livestock issues, etc. 
• Maintain electronic and hard copy files associated with the Farm.  Use the Farm shared drive for all electronic documents. 
• Collaborate with the Director, BFEC/Farm for marketing and online resources such as the website and social media accounts, particularly regarding vegetable production and livestock.
• Provide information to Director, BFEC/Farm for donor stewardship and support.
• Engage and update key constituencies on operations at the Kenyon Farm. Foster, promote, and strengthen interactions among campus partners and introduce new Kenyon employees and faculty to the Kenyon Farm.

Other

• Take lead with farm chores for vegetable production and livestock care.
• Support mycology and property care as needed.
• Provide overnight supervision as needed.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Success Factors

• Comfortable with physical outdoor work.
• Previous experience with farm equipment, including but not limited to tractors, PTO implements, z-turn mower, string trimmer, chain saw, power and hand tools (preferred).
• Previous experience with farm management software (we currently use FarmBrite).
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs regularly.
• Ability to collaborate and work independently.
• Willingness to acquire new skills as job responsibilities demand.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the farm, including some nights and weekends, and remain on call for emergencies.

 Supervisory Responsibilities

The following positions are direct reports to this position: student workers, student summer interns, and part-time/seasonal farm laborers. This position also oversees volunteers.

Working Conditions

Working conditions vary seasonally. The Production Manager maintains a flexible schedule and works primarily outdoors with some time spent indoors (in an office setting).  The work outside includes exposure to sun, pollen, insects, and poisonous plants, and requires the ability to work in heat, humidity, rain, and cold.  Must be able to regularly lift 50 lbs. 

Minimum Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience growing produce and raising livestock with sustainable and/or regenerative practices.
• 2+ years of experience supervising employees, preferably student workers.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of farm equipment, including but not limited to tractors, PTO implements, z-turn mower, string trimmer, chain saw, power and hand tools.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, consistently meet or exceed deadlines and goals, and work effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
• Must be self-directed, organized, attentive to detail, and enthusiastic about sustainable agriculture.
• Ohio Driver's License, or the ability to obtain an Ohio driver's license.
• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, agricultural education or similar field (preferred).
• Experience working with college students on a liberal arts college farm (preferred).

Compensation and Benefits:

Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at twenty-two other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.

Kenyon is a unique place to live and work. To discover why it should be your next home, click here.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all qualified individuals. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes all voices and perspectives.