Land Steward Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Compensation: $75,000-$85,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Benefits: PTO and Sick Time; Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Retirement
Schedule: Primarily weekdays; evenings/weekends for urgent needs or seasonal work as required
Reports to: Operations and Special Projects Lead; day-to-day partnership with Farm + Land Steward, Program Team
Budget Size: $2M+ (and growing substantially year over year)
About "FoodWhat?!"
FoodWhat is a youth empowerment and food justice organization. At FW, youth build relationships with land, food, and each other in ways that cultivate their empowerment, liberation, and well-being.
FW exists to serve youth struggling with the legacy of injustice, poverty, and racism. We are a safe space where youth cultivate their power and well-being through organic farming, nourishing meals, and loving community. We are unique as a year-long, depth-focused, farm-based learning model that invites youth to grow as stewards of their food system and community. Youth are strengthened by healthy food access, paid job training, environmental connectedness, and socioemotional support.
Who We Serve
We work in Santa Cruz County with high-school-aged, system-impacted and other struggling youth and program alumni. This includes youth who are: low-income, from farmworker families, experiencing mental health challenges, in the child welfare (foster care) system, housing insecure, food insecure, engaged in the criminal justice system, identify as LGBTQIA+, and young parents-all of whom experience challenges and are building resilience.
Role Summary
FoodWhat recently purchased a 5.25 acre property to build what we're calling "Homebase" - a space that will hold the FoodWhat Farm, provide beautiful open space, and include facilities for youth and community access. This role is centered on Homebase.
We've created a new staff position, seeking a Facilities and Maintenance Manager to play a significant role stewarding this land and all related facilities. This person will be a hands-on, highly-engaged, and multi-talented generalist who keeps our land, buildings, systems, and tools safe, functional, accessible and welcoming-so youth, staff and community can thrive here. This person brings broad, practical skills (construction, light electrical, plumbing, irrigation, fencing, basic HVAC, vehicle/tractor upkeep), offers insight early in planning (not just "taking work orders"), and collaborates across the ecosystem-especially with our Farm + Land Steward, program team, and Operations and Special Projects Lead.
At times, the person in this role will invite or supervise youth to join an appropriate facilities project to meet youth development goals (with staff support and safe scopes). This person notices what needs attention, creates their own priority lists, and escalates when needed. They know when to DIY and when to bring in subs/contractors-ideally tapping a local network in Watsonville/Santa Cruz/Monterey County.
This role is not just about fixing/maintaining things. It's about caring for and contributing to the space that holds youth and community. It is hands-on, relational, and rooted in community love. If you are someone who sees a broken board in the youth workshop area and thinks "this deserves to be better for the youth who will use this space," we want to meet you.
Core Responsibilities
Hands-On Land, Facilities & Equipment (60%)
Land & Infrastructure

• Inspect, maintain, and repair Homebase infrastructure: barn, home, sheds, greenhouse, cooler, roads, access paths, gates, fencing, doors, and locks
• Perform general maintenance and small repairs: carpentry, light plumbing, light electrical, basic HVAC, door hardware, shelving, benches, tool boards, and safety signage
• Keep shared spaces clean, safe, organized, and ready for youth programs
• Coordinate refuse/recycling, cleaning services, bulk material deliveries, and safe storage of materials and consumables
• Address pest issues with the Land Steward
• Prepare the property for seasonal shifts and maintain emergency supplies
• Respond to urgent facilities issues - including after-hours - such as water failures, storm damage, or break-ins

Irrigation, Water & Grounds

• Maintain and repair the irrigation system, water lines, faucets, and hose bibs; map shutoffs and create simple documentation for staff
• Proactively address drainage issues; prepare for seasonal rains and winds; manage debris and erosion control
• Perform grounds care: mowing, weed management, tree trimming and limbing, path maintenance
• Perform general well maintenance as needed

Tools, Equipment, Vehicles & Tractors

• Keep hand and power tools, shop equipment, tractors, implements, mowers, pumps, and small engines in safe working order
• Perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance; coordinate major repairs with vendors
• Maintain service logs, warranty and parts records, and maintenance schedules; order parts and consumables responsibly
• Coordinate maintenance for non-farm vehicles (trucks, vans); support insurance and compliance documentation as requested
• Ensure PPE availability and use in shop and field tasks; maintain tool checkout and labeling systems

Safety & Projects (25%)
Risk & Compliance

• Lead routine safety walks; identify hazards; propose fixes; close the loop with documentation
• Maintain compliance with relevant OSHA/EH&S standards: ladders, electrical safety, fuel storage, PPE use, and shop practices
• Support biosecurity practices including cleaning stations and protocols that protect soil, plants, and people
• Maintain first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, and spill kits
• Work with the Operations and Special Projects Lead to draft, update, and train staff on safety SOPs related to equipment use, chemicals, youth on worksites, and incident reporting

Projects & Improvements

• Contribute to scoping, sequencing, and budgeting for small renovations and capital projects
• Read simple drawings and plans; flag constructability or code/safety concerns; coordinate with subcontractors and inspectors where needed
• Serve as site liaison for contractors: ensure safe access, staging, cleanup, and punch list sign-off
• Build and maintain a bench of local subcontractors from the Watsonville/Santa Cruz area
• Oversee all on-site construction and contractor activity to ensure a clean, safe presence aligned with FoodWhat's youth-centered culture

Systems, Youth Integration & Communication (15%)
Youth-Integrated Work

• Collaborate with the Program Team to design safe, age-appropriate projects where youth can participate meaningfully - such as building benches, installing fencing, or repairing irrigation
• Model tool safety, teamwork, problem-solving, and care for land and shared spaces
• Support reflection and debriefs to improve future youth-integrated work projects
• Recognize that participation with youth is not "extra work" - it is core to every staff position at FoodWhat and central to program success and youth ownership of the land

Systems, Documentation & Communication

• Work with the Operations and Special Projects Lead to track and manage ongoing maintenance, projects, budgets, and vendor work
• Create and follow recurring task systems for daily, seasonal, and annual upkeep
• Use simple digital tools - Google Workspace, spreadsheets, photo logs - to keep information accessible and up to date
• Create clear maps (irrigation, shutoffs, electrical panels, tool locations) and quick-reference guides for staff

What You Bring (Qualifications)
Required

• Experience maintaining built facilities
• Mission alignment with youth empowerment, food justice, and community well-being-and excitement to occasionally engage youth in appropriate, supervised projects.
• Generalist skill set across multiple trades: construction/carpentry, basic plumbing and electrical, irrigation, fencing, light HVAC checks, tool/vehicle/tractor care.
• Proven experience diagnosing problems and implementing practical fixes; sound judgment on when to call a pro
• Ability to self-prioritize: notice issues, create and work a list, communicate timelines, and close loops.
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather, lifting and carrying heavy loads, navigating uneven terrain, climbing ladders, working in tight spaces when required.
• Valid California driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Clear, respectful communicator; collaborative team player able to coordinate with program staff and external vendors

Strongly Preferred

• Experience in agricultural or ranch settings and working familiarity with tractors/implements and irrigation layouts
• Local networks with subs/contractors (Watsonville/Santa Cruz/Monterey County)
• Bilingual Spanish/English for communicating with youth, families, and contractors
• Experience contributing to safety policies/SOPs and delivering brief, hands-on trainings

Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
FoodWhat?! is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience, multilingualism, non-linear career paths, and community roots as strengths. All candidates who bring diverse identities, perspectives, and skills are strongly encouraged to apply.
Background & Compliance
Employment may be contingent upon a background check, DMV pull, and job-related trainings (e.g.equipment safety). Role requires adherence to all organizational safety policies, incident reporting, and community care practices appropriate to a youth-serving farm.