Hydroponic Farm Technician

Are you passionate about making a difference in others' lives? Then come join the Catholic Charities team!

Hours: 35 Hours per week; flexible schedule, occasional weekends, non-exempt position.

Pay: $25.00-$30.00/Hr

Travel: Some required (minimal)

Summary of Job: Responsible for maintaining operations of a self-contained vertical hydroponic farm. Two full days per week (8hrs) for harvest/transplanting/seeding and three short 2-4 hour days completing daily checklist and maintenance/cleaning/documentation. Remaining time volunteering and coordinating volunteers, education and training for various community groups. Training and education to be provided.. This position will help maintain a positive image for Catholic Charities.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma.

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. on occasion.

• Displays a passion for farming and helping the poor and those in need. Relates to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, namely the care for all of God’s creation.

• Experience in farming not necessary but a plus. Willing to learn about Hydroponic farming.

• Demonstrates working knowledge of being able to advocate for the hydroponic farm, teach and give tours of the farm to various stakeholder groups.

• Ability to coordinate and schedule volunteer groups of all kinds to work and learn about the farm.

• Possess excellent communication and organizational skills to supervisors and food pantry staff; demonstrate leadership in developing strategies and implementing initiatives that are conducive to the overall success of Catholic Charities farm project.

• Proven record of delivering results and meeting goals.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with donors and prospective donors.

• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively in writing to a variety of audiences. Skill in preparing reports, as well as knowledge of digital social media practices and working with the development team to create a following of the farm.

• Ability to coordinate repair of all systems of the farm and ability to learn on how to fix issues when they arise.

• Passionate, innovative self-starter, accountable for results, ability to take initiative, detail oriented, efficient, and able to balance and prioritize tasks and projects.

• Proof of a valid New Jersey driver's license.

• Team player and ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels.

• Being available and flexible with hours to maintain the farm during normal growing cycles and when emergencies arise of systems, the ability to be available to assure continued growth of every cycle.

Job Tasks:

• Speaks on behalf of Catholic Charities at various events to deepen donor connection and commitment and education about the Catholic Charities road into hydroponic farming.

• Basic Form Management - Complete weekly data entry to track farm productivity and impacts and report to Executive Director and CEO.

• Ability to monitor farm with farm app and flexibility to handle technical issues that arise for maintenance of the farm.

• Develop press releases, articles and blog entries for public consumption. Photograph service recipients at programs for use in all forms of media.

• Research, initiate and solicit potential donors with a focus on increased funding in unrestricted major gifts to the farm.

• Research potential foundations and private grants to identify donors who can participate in giving opportunities.
• Play a strong role in maintaining relationships with community partners while creatively cultivating new donors and possibly sale of extra produce to local markets.
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Benefits:

We offer a solid compensation package: (Full Time employees 30+ hours per week)

Medical/vision, dental, life insurance (agency-paid), Accidental/Critical Illness Insurance, supplemental life insurance (employee-paid), 403B (with company-matching), generous paid time off, employee discount programs (i.e. travel, movies, cellphone), etc. and a collaborative team environment.