Employment

Hiring now for the 2019 growing season!

If you are looking for a meaningful career growing organic vegetables, read through the farm description and check out the positions we have available below. We are currently actively seeking candidates for our Farm and Field Manager positions to start employment in January/February but will also accept applications for the Vegetable Grower/Packer positions which start in April 2019.

Farm Description:

Wild Flight Farm is a 24-acre certified organic mixed vegetable farm in Mara, BC that has grown into a successful business over the past 25 years. This firmly-established family farm has a strong following at year-round farmer’s markets in the communities of Salmon Arm and Revelstoke. Produce is also shipped weekly to Urban Harvest, a long-running and successful organic home delivery service in Kelowna.

Over the years the farm has developed to include 12 high tunnels and a large heated house for seedling production. We grow all our own transplants and the tunnels allow for significant season extension, allowing us to reach early spring markets with fresh greens and root crops. Later in spring, the high tunnels are home to heat-loving crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. We have also developed a large packing/storage facility which allows our employees to work comfortably and efficiently while enabling appropriate storage conditions for a wide diversity of crops.

The rural location in the North Okanagan/Shuswap is within a 30-minute drive of the communities of Salmon Arm, Enderby and Sicamous. Cultural and Recreational opportunities abound in the area, and there are many options for day trips to enjoy the mountains, lakes or rivers when time permits. The farm borders the Shuswap River and funding has recently been approved to establish a “rails to trails” corridor that passes very close by.

There are two main seasons at Wild Flight, with some overlap. We generally employ a crew of 10 full-time employees through the growing season (May to October) and 2 to 3 full-time employees to carry the farm through the winter market season. Check out the descriptions of the available positions below.

VEGETABLE GROWER/PACKER

-- These positions (8 in total) start in April 2019 but feel free to apply now --

Duration: Seasonal - late April to early November, but must be able to commit to working full-time until November 8th.

Description: Wild Flight Farm is seeking energetic individuals with a keen interest in growing organic food to join our 2018 farm team. The work varies from week to week and will include transplanting, weeding, harvesting and preparation of produce for market, among other tasks. Experience is an asset, but we are happy to train people with a positive attitude who are keen to learn new skills. This work is best suited for people who are:

- Physically fit

- Enjoy working outdoors

- Are comfortable bending and kneeling for extended periods of time

- Don't mind getting your hands dirty

- Enjoy working as part of a team to meet deadlines

- Can maintain a positive attitude despite the adverse conditions that outdoor work often involves

_ And truly believe that growing organic food is important and meaningful work!

Experience is an asset but we are happy to train people who have a positive attitude and are eager to learn new skills.

Schedule: Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 3:00pm with a half an hour lunch break. During July and August, we add an extra hour per day by starting earlier (6am-3pm).

Accommodation: Applicants should live, or be willing to re-locate to within a 30 minute commute of the farm location in Mara. That includes the communities of Salmon Arm, Enderby, Grindrod or Sicamous. On-farm accommodation is not available.

Remuneration: The starting wage for inexperienced employees is $16/hour. A higher starting wage will be considered for applicants with at least one full season of experience working on a vegetable farm. Additionally, there will be a $1/hr raise/review at 3 months. Free organic vegetables available to take home at the end of each day is another benefit of employment on our farm.

How to Apply? Send your resume to Hermann Bruns, by e-mailing hermann@wildflightfarm.ca or fax 250-838-6330. Please include a cover letter describing your motivation to apply for this job and the specific skills/experience you have that match the work description and would prepare you for the challenges of organic vegetable growing.

Find Out More: Newsletters posted to the Wild Flight Farm Facebook page contain more photos and descriptions of work on the farm. More farm-life photos on our Instagram page.

GREENHOUSE MANAGER

-- This position has been filled for 2019 --

Overview:

After 25 years of going full-steam ahead to build the farm and provide consistent, high quality organic food to their community, the owners are wishing to step back from day-to-day management and provide guidance and an opportunity to someone (or a couple) who has the necessary qualifications and experience and is ready to approach farming as a full-time profession.

The Position:

We are seeking a Greenhouse Manager, who (with guidance and training) will gradually assume responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the seedling house and high tunnels. This will include organizing and directing employees, overseeing and tracking the many aspects of seedling production and the management of ground crops in high tunnels.

This is a 7-month position (April through October) with the potential for additional work through the winter in packing and prepping for markets. This position is suited to someone with relevant experience and education in vegetable production, preferably with greenhouse crops. We are seeking a candidate who is dedicated to organic methods and looking for an opportunity, through a well-established business, to further develop their skills in profitable greenhouse production and season extension.

Responsibilities:

Staff Management

Organize and direct staff on a daily basis to ensure seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvest and processing/packing deadlines are met.
Work along side staff as needed to provide instruction and assist in completing tasks.
Create, by example, a positive, co-operative and energetic work environment in which productivity and quality are emphasized.

Greenhouse Operations

Assist in developing schedules for successive seedings/plantings of greenhouse crops and ensure that they are followed on a weekly and monthly basis.
Monitor and manage weeding, irrigation and pest/disease control in a timely, pro-active manner.
Oversee post-harvest handling of high-tunnel crops for market.
Oversee management of soil fertility in high tunnels though composting and other inputs.
Maintain careful records of all seeding, planting, harvesting and soil inputs.
Participate in research into crop varieties and management practices for improved greenhouse production.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

Hands-on experience working on a vegetable farm, including experience in greenhouse/high tunnel management
Preferably a post-secondary degree or diploma in an agriculture or horticulture-related program
Competence in operating a walk-behind rototiller
Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills
Knowledge of and experience with organic production methods and organic standards
A positive, can-do attitude and a drive to work quickly and efficiently
Consistently and reliably punctual

Compensation:

Starting wage from $18 to $22 per hour, depending on experience
Position is full-time for 7 months with potential for continued work in winter months
Access to extended health benefits plan after first 3 months
Paid vacation days
Access to farm produce, as seasonally available, for personal use

How to Apply?

Send your resume to Hermann Bruns, by e-mailing hermann@wildflightfarm.ca. Please include a cover letter describing your motivation to apply for this job and the specific skills/experience you have that match the work description and would prepare you for the challenges of organic vegetable growing.

Find Out More: Newsletters posted to the Wild Flight Farm Facebook page contain more photos and descriptions of work on the farm. More farm-life photos on our Instagram page.

FARM MANAGER

-- We are currently actively recruiting for this position. --

Overview:

The Position:

We are seeking a Farm Manager, who (with guidance and training) will gradually assume responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the farm. This will include organizing and directing employees, managing and tracking the many aspects of field crop production and marketing, and working alongside the farm crew in harvesting and packing as needed. This position is suited to someone with at least three full seasons of experience in vegetable production who is dedicated to organic methods and looking for an opportunity, through a well-established business, to make a viable living by providing good food to their local community.

Responsibilities:

Staff Management

Assist in the recruitment and hiring of seasonal staff
Organize and direct staff on a daily basis to ensure seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvest and processing/packing deadlines are met
Work along side staff as needed to provide instruction and assist in completing tasks
Create, by example, a positive, co-operative and energetic work environment in which productivity and quality are emphasized

Field Operations

Assist in developing schedules for successive seedings/plantings of field crops, and ensure that they are followed on a weekly and monthly basis
Monitor and manage weeding, irrigation and pest/disease control in a timely, pro-active manner
Develop weekly produce lists to provide targets for harvesting and packing of all crops
Oversee all post-harvest handling of produce for market
Oversee management of soil fertility though seeding of green manures and other inputs
Maintain careful records of all planting, harvesting and crop/soil inputs
Take responsibility for maintenance and repair of farm tools, equipment and facilities

Office/Marketing

Prepare weekly produce lists to provide targets for harvesting and packing of all crops for market
Prepare weekly produce and price lists for publication in the farm newsletter
Respond to e-mails, compile order lists, and ensure that orders are packed
Maintain production records in accordance with organic certification requirements
Attend weekly farmers markets on a regular basis

Qualifications and Skills Required:

At least three full seasons of experience working on a vegetable farm
Preferably a post-secondary degree or diploma in an agriculture or horticulture-related program
Competence in operating and maintaining farm tools and machinery
Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills
Basic carpentry and mechanical skills/experience
Knowledge of and experience with organic production methods and organic standards
A positive, can-do attitude and a drive to work quickly and efficiently
Consistently and reliably punctual

Compensation:

Annual salary $42,000 to $52,000 to start, depending on experience
Position is full-time, year-round with some flexibility in winter months
Extended health benefits package, including medical, dental and visual coverage
15 days paid vacation
Access to farm produce, as seasonally available, for personal use
Willing to negotiate inclusion of accommodation

How to Apply?

Find Out More: Newsletters posted to the Wild Flight Farm Facebook page contain more photos and descriptions of work on the farm. More farm life photos on our Instagram page.

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