Helsing Junction Farm is hiring! --Rochester, WA

Helsing Junction Farm is a 50 acre organic farm located in Rochester, WA. We are nestled at the eastern edge of Independence Valley, an agriculturally rich farming community about 25 miles south of Olympia. We operate a 1,000 member CSA, delivering from Portland to Seattle. In addition we do a smaller amount of wholesale and direct to business sales. The farm was started in 1992 by Annie Salafsky and Sue Ujcic and was one of the country’s first CSA operations. Annie and Sue continue to run the farm, along with a crew of 20 at the height of the season. Many of the farm’s employees have worked on the farm for many years, appreciating the kind and friendly environment Annie and Sue have fostered, as well as the sense of independence and ownership they instill in all their employees.

We have 3 managerial positions open for the 2016 season: Field Production Assistant and Equipment Operator; Greenhouse Manager; and Pack Shed/Irrigation Manager. For applicants with little prior farm work experience, we are also looking for new members to join our Field Crew. See below for detailed job descriptions.

Field Production Assistant and Equipment Operator

The Field Production Assistant works closely with the Production Manager, aiding and assisting in all aspects of field production. The position is heavily focused on tractor and equipment work, and as such all interested applicants should have prior experience operating tractors and other farm equipment. Applicants should be detail oriented, with an aptitude for record keeping, calculating fertilizer and pest control applications, troubleshooting equipment, and have a strong familiarity with plant identification and basic plant biology. Working closely with the Production Manager, this position requires strong communication skills, ability to multi-task, and proficiency reading field maps. This is a seasonal position, beginning in March and continuing thru November, with the possibility of extending into year-round work. This position requires 60+ hours/week in the spring and early summer, transitioning into a regular schedule of 50 hours/week for the rest of the season.

Responsibilities include:

• Tillage and other field preparation
• Seeding and transplanting
• Fertilization
• Pest and disease control
• Cultivation and weed management
• Equipment maintenance and minor repairs
• Record keeping
• General farm labor as needed

Greenhouse Manager

The Greenhouse Manager works closely with the Production Manager, overseeing the farm’s greenhouses and transplant production. This position requires a high attention to detail and a high level of independence and organization. Applicants should be detail oriented, with an aptitude for record keeping, and have a strong familiarity with plant propagation and greenhouse management. The Greenhouse Manager will be responsible for overseeing 2-4 other workers in the spring and as such needs to be a good communicator and manager. This is a seasonal position, beginning in late February or early March and extending thru October, with the possibility of continuing beyond as well.  This position is more demanding in the spring and early summer, requiring 50+ hours per week and an alternating schedule of weekend greenhouse maintenance. As the season progresses, the hours will drop to a regular 40 hours per week, with general field crew work occupying any time not needed in the greenhouses.

Responsibilities include:

• Plant propagation
• Watering and fertilizing
• Pest and disease management
• Light and temperature management
• Supervision of 2-4 employees
• Record keeping
• Management of greenhouse-cured crops
• General greenhouse maintenance and management
• Farm stand support as needed
• General farm labor as needed

Pack Shed Manager and Irrigation Assistant

The Pack Shed Manager/Irrigation Assistant has two very different, mostly unrelated roles. As Pack Shed Manager this position is responsible for managing and overseeing the farm’s pack shed, produce washing and processing, and coordinating and processing wholesale orders. This position works closely with the Production Manager, Wholesale Manager, and Harvest Manager, and oversees 3–6 other workers, and as such must be an excellent communicator and manager. These responsibilities are very light in spring and early summer and pick up in the height of the season thru fall. At that time it will not be uncommon for most days to be spent in and around the packing shed. As Irrigation Assistant this position is responsible for aiding and assisting in drip tape installation and management, assisting with irrigation repair and maintenance, co-managing irrigation schedule for drip-irrigated crops, and fertigation. These responsibilities are more demanding in the spring and early summer as drip gets installed, and then mellow into a more calm and scheduled routine for the rest of the season. Some tasks will require a light amount of tractor work, with training provided for anyone with no prior tractor experience. Applicants should have a strong disposition towards organization and cleanliness, be detail oriented, with an aptitude for record keeping, and be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment. This is a seasonal position, going April thru October, with the possibility of extending beyond as well. This position requires 40-50 hours per week, with an occasional Saturday required in the spring.

Responsibilities include:

• Produce washing and processing
• Packshed cleaning and organizing
• Supervision of 3–6 employees
• Cooler maintenance and organization
• Record keeping
• Drip tape installation and maintenance
• General irrigation maintenance and minor repairs
• Soil moisture assessment and irrigation tracking
• Fertigation
• Light tractor work as needed
• General farm labor as needed

Field Crew Member

As a member of our Field Crew, you will be a part of a team of co-workers, aiding and assisting in a wide variety of different tasks and responsibilities. The Field Crew is the backbone of the farm, and most of the crew members have worked at the farm for many year. As such they are very skilled, efficient, autonomous, and independent in their work. The Field Crew most commonly work altogether or in smaller groups, and as such all candidates should generally be positive, easy to get along with, energetic, adaptable, and capable of clear and consistent communication. Responsibilities can at times be physically demanding, so all candidates should be capable of lifting heavy and awkward items up to 50 lbs., capable of performing repetitive tasks with endurance, and able to work for long durations even in inclement weather. This position requires 40-50 hours per week, and is seasonal, going April thru October, with the possibility of extending beyond as well. This position can be a great fit for those with little prior experience, but are passionate about organic vegetable farming and want to learn more.

Responsibilities include:

• Greenhouse seeding
• Transplanting
• Handweeding
• Irrigation set up and maintenance
• Harvesting
• Produce washing and processing
• Packing CSA boxes three days a week
• Deliveries as needed
• General farm labor as needed

Compensation is commensurate with experience. To apply, please submit a detailed cover letter explaining your background and interest in the position along with a current resume to Dan at [email protected].  We will contact you if an interview will be required.