Posted: March 14, 2025
Expires: May 13, 2025
Toledo GROWs
900 Oneida Street, Toledo, Ohio 43608
Toledo GROWs is seeking an Urban Farm Coordinator. This position develops and oversees all food growing operations of Toledo GROWs’ Robert Anderson Urban Agriculture Center and farm. This staff member assists in Toledo GROWs’ mission to provide support and education for gardeners in our community, assisting them with sustainable growing practices. The Farm Coordinator works closely with the Farm Assistant, leading the efforts in all areas listed below and dividing the duties as is fitting.
This is a full-time, year round position, paid hourly and working 40 hours per week. Benefits after a period of employment include medical insurance, paid vacation, and Simple IRA match. Full-time employees receive paid federal holidays. Hourly rate dependent upon experience and qualifications, with a general range of $15 - $22 per hour.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Planning for the growing season;
- Greenhouse propagation and management;
- Development and implementation of planting, cultivation and harvest for the farm, using sustainable growing methods;
- Post-harvest handling and packaging of produce for sale;
- Soil-building and amendments, irrigation, pest and disease management;
- Care and maintenance of raingardens and other natural educational features of the farm;
- Farm recordkeeping logs;
- Education and oversight of volunteers, interns, and work groups, including safe food handling practices;
- Oversight and care for chickens;
- Maintenance and inventory of all farm tools and gardening work areas;
- Educating the community through workshops and on-site demonstration of techniques for optimal growing;
- Collaboration with other Toledo GROWs staff to meet the needs of community gardeners and assist at fundraising events;
- Sharing weekend and holiday duties of farm oversight (alternately) with the farm assistant;
- Oversight of maintenance and care for greenhouses, equipment and facilities (including cleaning tasks in the building);
- Operation of tractor, tillers, and lawn care equipment to maintain a groomed campus;
- Maintaining effective and timely communication with Executive Director
Supervisory Responsibilities: The Urban Farm Coordinator will frequently supervise Toledo GROWs Farm Assistant, volunteers, interns, and work groups to accomplish work.
Performance Expectations:
- Plan and oversee all aspects of planting, harvesting, and packaging produce at the Robert Anderson Urban Agriculture Center and Farm.
- Effectively train and oversee volunteers and work groups at the Robert Anderson Center and Farm.
- Oversee the care of all farm vehicles, tools, storage, greenhouses, and gardening work areas.
- Ensure that all necessary records are kept in a neat and timely manner.
- Communicate and collaborate with the Executive Director regarding progress and/or setbacks.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. This individual must posses a minimum of two years of experience in diversified vegetable production and greenhouse propagation. This individual must also possess basic carpentry and mechanical skills for operation of farm tools and equipment. The individual must possess a valid driver’s license. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Preferred Skills: The individual should be a passionate leader, inspired to grow nutrient-dense food and have excellent organization skills so as to prioritize necessary tasks on a farm and work independently to accomplish work. The individual should be a creative problem solver and have the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. This individual should demonstrate supervisory experience with diverse individuals and groups and be able to work quickly and carefully and motivate others to do the same. Excellent communication skills are required. Livestock/animal husbandry experience is preferred and experience in growing and developing value-added products is preferred.
Training: This position will receive on the job training and have had past experience in the gardening/food growing arena.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to stand, walk, talk, hear and sit. The individual will also occasionally be required to use hands for holding, grasping and feeling objects; reach with hands and arms; bend and squat; lift or move up to 50 pounds. Working both in an office and outdoor setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment: The individual will work inside and outside with others. At times, the work environment may be loud. May be exposed to extreme temperatures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To Apply: E-mail resume and cover letter as an attachment (no links please) to Yvonne Dubielak, Executive Director, yvonne.dubielak@toledogrows.org. Position will be open until filled.