Agricultural Technical Assistance Manager
(part-time)
Boston Farms Community Land Trust is seeking a self-directed, personable, knowledgeable, detail-oriented individual to provide our farmers with support and to oversee land stewardship of our urban farm sites in Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury.
Hours: Half-time (20-25 hours/week, semi-flexible scheduling)
Location: Fowler Clark Epstein Farm, Mattapan (mostly in-person with some remote work)
Application Closes: ASAP
Compensation: $35-40 hour (depending on experience), plus part-time-equivalent vacation benefits
Responsibilities:
Farmer Selection & Support
Recruit applicants to lease farm sites, oversee selection and leasing, manage ongoing lessor-lessee relations including revenue collection
Develop and coordinate technical assistance, education, and other supportive programming to promote the success of lessee farmers
Co-chair the Farmer Support Committee of our board with a board member to promote and steer economic development and business viability for farm businesses consistent with our Vision Statement.
Land Stewardship
Ensure that all Boston Farms properties are managed with organic and regenerative agricultural practices
Manage shared greenhouse operations, ensuring the health and safety of plants
Launch, maintain, and co-design farm demonstration site
Manage contractors to conduct site maintenance (e.g. snow removal, fence repairs, perimeter weeding), including cost estimating, vendor bidding and oversight, and lessee billings
Open and close sites at the start & end of the season, and ensure sites are visually appealing
Manage recurring bills and expenses (e.g. water, electricity, property taxes)
Maintain property insurance and ensure sites meet safety and liability standards
Coordinate site capital improvements (e.g. fencing, drainage systems) as needed
Administrative work as necessary (e.g. maintenance of detailed financial and communication records
Requirements:
5+ years of experience in agricultural management, horticultural management, land preservation, or environmental management
Hands on experience with crop production and planning, marketing, financial management, farm infrastructure management, and business planning. Experience with livestock and apiary management is a plus but not required.
Strong teaching/facilitation, organization, communication, and community relations
Be able to work all types of weather conditions
Comfort with Google Docs, Microsoft Word/Excel, or equivalent platforms
Access to reliable private transportation is necessary
Preferences: Basic carpentry, plumbing, painting, and landscaping with an eye for quality outcomes and attention to detail, willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule; resides close to our farmsites
Key Characteristics: driven, self-directed, eager to learn, personable, attentive to detail, flexible, ability to lead and work under pressure, strong leadership, diplomacy, mentoring/coaching skills
About Us: Boston Farms is a community land development and management nonprofit. We build and protect urban farms across the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, making our farms accessible to Black and Brown neighborhood farmers and supporting their success. As a community land trust, we are structured to enact local and collective control of land. We own 5 sites and will expand further in the coming years. In early 2020, the board adopted a 3-Year Strategic Plan (2020-22).
To Apply: Please be sure to read this posting thoroughly. If interested, please email your cover letter and resume to jobs@bostonfarms with the subject line ‘Agricultural Technical Assistance Manager Application’. Applications close on April 30th. We welcome diverse candidates and residents of our neighborhoods of Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury.