To apply, email your resumé to pennyjordan@jordansfarm.com and reference “Farm Hand / Equipment Operator Position”

FARM HAND/ EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 

Description: 

Jordan’s Farm is seeking an individual to join our team as a Farm Hand and Tractor Operator.  

We are a conventional grower located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. We grow approximately 60 acres of mixed vegetables each season. Our primary market is retail. In addition, we sell wholesale and continually seek ways to expand our markets. This season, we are expanding our pick-your-own strawberry operation.  We strive to reduce food loss on our farm by working with organizations to end hunger in Maine. 

The Equipment Operator position is a full-time seasonal position running from early April through Thanksgiving. Typical hours for this position are Tuesday through Saturday, 7am until 5pm. This employee should be flexible as hours and days may vary depending on the season, weather, and to accommodate large harvests. Strawberry season may necessitate a shift in schedule. 

The ideal candidate for this position takes direction, asks for help and is comfortable giving and accepting feedback. This employee should have a willingness to learn and work within our existing systems. The Equipment Operator works directly with the Lead Farmer and is responsible for a wide variety of tasks such as field prep, pest scouting, cultivating, running irrigation, as well as various mechanical, construction, welding, woodworking, and property maintenance projects. The ideal candidate is organized, comfortable working alone, and is comfortable self-directing and prioritizing their work. The Equipment Operator should be able to identify problems in the fields and on the property such as: concerning sounds or dripping on tractors and equipment, pest or deer presence in the fields, high weed pressure, or unusual crop growing patterns. They will also assist in large harvest events, such as: daily strawberry and sweet corn harvests, bulk harvests of squash and other storage crops, and mechanical harvests of carrots and root vegetables. On occasion, this employee will join the field crew to assist in large planting events. 

Responsibilities: 

• Mechanical field prep, tillage and marking rows to be planted 

• Understand and adhere to all GAP/FSMA guidelines and SOPs outlined in our Food Safety Plan 

• Work with the Lead Farmer to identify which cultivation technique, equipment, and timing to use dependent on size/type of crop, size of weeds, and field conditions 

• Set up, run and manage irrigation equipment: identify and correct problems with irrigation and identify appropriate reels and nozzles to achieve accurate water coverage 

• Plant crops according to SOPs to ensure proper germination and easy cultivation 

• Seed in plug trays by hand and/or with a vacuum seeder 

• Harvest a variety of crops in accordance with SOPs and quality standards 

• Operate and maintain the mechanical integrity of farm equipment, trucks, tractors and other equipment 

• Property maintenance such as mowing, weed whacking, pruning, minor excavation projects  

• Assist with framing and building projects on occasion 

• Keep accurate records of planting and cultivation 

• Respond to issues that arise at farmstand with infrastructure and perform general maintenance as needed 

Qualifications: 

• Prior experience in agriculture 

• Experience using hand and power tools 

• Experience operating tractors and other large equipment 

• Ability to operate a manual transmission or willingness to learn 

• Ability to assess mechanical issues and repair as needed, or a willingness to learn 

• Ability to take initiative and make decisions independently if unexpected problems arise 

• Ability to lift 60-80 lbs. 

• Ability to problem-solve in a fast-moving environment 

• Team-oriented 

• Valid driver’s license 

Additional qualifications: 

• Pesticide license 

• Construction experience 

• High level of comfort with mechanical work 

Compensation & Benefits: 

• $19-21 depending on experience  

• PTO is accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours worked 

• 30% discount in our farm stand (with exception of meat, alcohol and consignment) 

• Health Insurance stipend 

• Option to join MERIT IRA  

• Access to free seconds quality produce