Full-Time Community Farm Coordinator
Job Description
Title: Community Farm Coordinator
Manager: Gilberts Corner Farm and Land Manager
Location: Loudoun County, VA
Job Classification: Full Time – Non-Exempt
Geographic Focus: The PEC Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows is located on a 141- acre PEC-owned property at Gilbert’s Corner in Loudoun County, Virginia (39990 Howsers Branch Dr. Aldie, VA 20105).
About PEC
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has proudly promoted and protected the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont since 1972. PEC empowers residents to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place, and works with citizens to conserve land, protect air and water quality, celebrate historic resources, build smart transportation networks, promote sustainable energy choices, restore wildlife habitat and improve people’s access to nature.
About the PEC Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows
Launched in 2019, the PEC Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows is an 8-acre farm operation that grows produce for local food pantries, utilizing organic and regenerative techniques. The farm consists of 4.5 acres of vegetable production, 1 acre of orchard and berries, naturalized areas to support pollinators and beneficial insects, as well as a small flock of laying hens. Engagement with volunteers, schools, and community organizations is a vital part of the farm, which not only provides opportunities for the public to engage with their local food system and give back, but also fosters lasting relationships with the community. Highly visible through its productivity, use of a volunteer workforce, and engagement with the community, the Community Farm promotes the importance of land stewardship, access to fresh foods, and mutual aid. Through the collaborative efforts of the Gilberts Corner Farm and Land Manager and Community Farm Coordinator, volunteers actively participate in local agriculture, local residents have access to farm tours and educational workshops, and families in need throughout Loudoun County benefit from increased access to fresh, healthy, locally-produced fruits, vegetables, and eggs.
Your Role
PEC is seeking to hire a Community Farm Coordinator to manage the Community Farm. The Community Farm Coordinator will possess strong experience and knowledge of sustainable farming with an interest in regenerative growing methods. The farm coordinator must demonstrate an aptitude to engage and cultivate new relationships within the Loudoun County community, be willing to collaborate with the Gilberts Corner Farm and Land Manager to develop and lead educational workshops, as well as coordinate, manage and maintain volunteer groups throughout the growing season. Examples of activities include:
- Have an integral role in the management of a full farm operation, which includes (1) create production plans in coordination with local food pantries; (2) operate tractors and tractor-drawn implements as needed; (3) manage daily farm operations, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and delivery coordination with food pantries; (4) plan for and manage the life-cycle maintenance of farm equipment, tools and buildings; and, (5) manage a wide range of volunteers and school groups.
- Work in collaboration with the Gilberts Corner Farm and Land Manager to engage with citizens and local agriculture organizations to continue development of a community-centered space that supports a strong volunteer corp and provides outdoor, hands-on learning experiences and produces fresh, healthy food for area food pantries.
- Maintain accurate harvest records and field logs.
- Assure that best management practices and safety protocols are followed.
- Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures to be added to farm management documents.
- Assist with broader property management tasks at the Roundabout Meadows and Gilberts Corner Market properties as assigned. Tasks may include but are not limited to:
- Soil sampling
- Trail maintenance
- Tree planting
- Fence maintenance
- Oversee the daily tasks of farm support staff.
- Manage and rotate a flock of 15-20 laying hens throughout the farm.
- Participate in long-term strategic planning and fundraising for the Community Farm.
- Collaborate with PEC communications and development staff to secure appropriate funding and highlight Community Farm successes.
The Community Farm Coordinator reports to PEC’s Gilberts Corner Farm and Land Manager, but will also work closely with other PEC staff, departments within PEC, and members of the PEC Board of Directors.
This position will be based at PEC’s Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows (39990 Howsers Branch Dr. Aldie, VA 20105) with occasional travel to the headquarters office in Warrenton, VA.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, or related field preferred. Applicants with comparable experience are encouraged to apply.
- Minimum of 2-4 years farming experience, with experience managing a direct-to-consumer market fruit and/or vegetable operation highly desirable.
- Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse activities and deadlines and make decisions and solve problems independently, effectively and creatively with minimal supervision.
- Knowledge of volunteer management and educational workshop development.
- Ability to work outdoors, in all weather conditions, with limited facilities.
- Effective interpersonal skills, including ability and desire to build relationships with a diverse constituency including local political officials, non-profit representatives, neighborhood associations, businesses and individual citizens with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
- Mission-minded with strong interest in food justice and access, sustainable agriculture, education, and community development.
- Comfort with teaching and speaking publicly about agriculture and the Community Farm program.
- Ability to supervise and create an effective and positive team environment, fostering mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among staff, volunteers, local residents, community organizations and school groups of all ages.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills (written, oral and social-media focused) to develop written/photographic/video materials for use in communicating goals and stories of the Community Farm to PEC staff, board of directors, PEC supporters, and the public at large.
- Familiarity with the operation and maintenance of small machinery, power tools, and hand tools.
- Familiarity with and ability to carry out maintenance of farm-related structures.
- Familiarity with basic budgeting and financial transactions, as appropriate for a small- scale agricultural operation.
- Familiarity with computers and the use of online tools, such as the Google Suite, Microsoft Office, social media platforms, etc.
- Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
- Valid driver’s and reliable transportation required.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Commitment to service and community and a willingness to participate in practices of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).
Compensation
Salary range of $25.00 to $31.25 per hour, depending on qualifications and negotiable within the stated range. (The equivalent of $52,000 to $65,000 per year).
Benefits
In addition to a salary, you will be eligible to participate in health, disability, term life insurance benefits and a 403(b) employee pension plan. Upon employment, you will be entitled to paid holidays and will begin accruing personal leave as designated in the PEC Employee Handbook.
PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:
- Two health plan options (PEC pays 83% of the premium for employee only coverage and 73% of the premium for added dependents based on HSA plan rates)
- Dental and Vision insurance plans
- Short and Long-Term Disability, Group Term Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances – all premiums 100% paid by PEC
- Health Savings Account account (with employer match up to $750 per year) or Flexible Spending Accounts (for health & dependent care)
- 403(b) pension plan with up to 6% employer contribution (3% automatic and 3% match) after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
- 12 paid holidays
- Longevity-based paid time off of 15-24 days per year, accrued by pay period
- 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer
- Longevity-based Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks every 24 months
- Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
- Cell Phone Reimbursement up to $75 per month
- Travel Expense Reimbursement
- Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
- Professional Development training and/or education support
- Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.
Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resumé to
ap***@pe***.org
. Resumé reviews begin immediately.
The Piedmont Environmental Council is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions and qualifications are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work. helps build the competencies and knowledge of our organization. Diversity of experience and skills, combined with passion, is key to our organizational identity. Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience are appreciated.
In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable job accommodations may be requested.
Read more about our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) commitments statement.
How to Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to apply@pecva.org206 total views, 0 today