Farm Operations Assistant

Dickinson College is a premier four-year residential liberal arts institution chartered in 1783 and widely recognized as a leader in global and sustainability education. Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, named a “most livable city” by Forbes and is minutes from the state capital of Harrisburg. The campus is connected to a vibrant downtown that offers eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment options. Within a two-hour drive are Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.; New York City is three hours away.

The Farm Operations Assistant works as a member of a team and will split their time between the College Farm's biogas project and vegetable operation to develop, implement, and maintain energy and food production-related goals on the College Farm. The scope of work, duties, and responsibilities of the Farm Operations Assistant will fluctuate based on seasonal demands throughout the calendar year.

• →Other duties as determined or assigned.

• →Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning and scheduling work, reviewing work and ensuring quality standards, training staff and overseeing their productivity. May offer recommendations for hiring, termination and pay adjustments, but does not have responsibility for making these decisions.

• Actively engage in hands-on field work, including general labor planting, weeding, and harvesting crops, primary and secondary tractor work, crop irrigation and crop maintenance for disease and pest control. 30%
• Manage student staff and seasonal apprentices to complete tasks efficiently and safely on the farm's vegetable operation. 20%
• Assist with training and mentoring student staff and seasonal apprentices on tasks and skills needed for working with the farm vegetable operation. 10%
• Non-peak vegetable operations work will include but is not limited to, assisting with greenhouse production, helping with equipment maintenance, infrastructure rehabs and farm-based renovations. 10%
• Assist with day-to-day operations of the farm's waste-to-energy project including monitoring digester operations, troubleshooting and maintenance, site upkeep including mowing and weedwacking, as well as supporting food waste collection in the community. 20%
• Assist with training student helpers in addition to helping with tours. Occasionally support basic cattle chores such as feeding, checking, loading, etc. 10%

• High school diploma, required. Vocational, technical certificate or Bachelor's degree, preferred.
• A minimum of two years on a vegetable production farm, including tractor work and mechanical work, preferred.
• Valid driver's license for the operation of a company owned, rented or leased vehicle.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds on a consistent basis.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high level of responsibility, organization and leadership.
• Experience working with college-age individuals.

• 1-3 years

• Results are defined and existing practices are used as guidelines to determine specific work methods and carries out work activities independently; supervisor/manager is available to resolve problems.

• Tractor(s)
• Mower(s)
• Trucks
• Skid loader
• Weedwacker
• Power tools

• Respirator (includes fit testing)

• Specific physical requirement or environmental demands
  • Outdoor Environment - Work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions.
  • Extreme Cold - Temperatures typically below 32 degrees for more than an hour.
  • Extreme Heat - Temperature typically above 100 degrees for more than an hour.
  • Hazards - Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure t chemicals.
  • Atmospheric Conditions - Conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, staff, and student body. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.