Orchard Lead & Regenerative Horticulture Educator

SMART Collective Pty Limited; Burradoo; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SMART Collective Pty Limited seeks an Orchard Manager/Lead to oversee the citrus and apple orchards and diverse communal garden at Burradoo Park Farm in the Southern Highlands. You will lead hands-on horticulture, implement regenerative practices and provide demonstrations to visitors and education groups.

The role combines practical orchard management with planning, record-keeping and coordinating casual staff, volunteers or farm hands across 4-5 days a week, including weekends.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage the small citrus and apple orchard throughout the annual growing cycle
• Experience with pruning, feeding, mulching, weed control and soil health management
• Knowledge of monitoring tree health, pests and disease
• Experience with irrigation and water management
• Ability to maintain accurate records including varieties, tree health, yields and seasonal observations
• Knowledge of regenerative horticultural practices
• Ability to provide practical demonstrations and explanations to visitors, volunteers and education groups
• Experience coordinating casual staff, volunteers or farm hands
• Ability to develop and implement seasonal orchard management plans
• Capacity to work 4-5 days a week, including at least one weekend day

Responsibilities

• Manage the citrus and apple orchard including pruning, feeding, mulching, weed control and soil health
• Monitor tree health, pests, disease and environmental conditions
• Coordinate irrigation and water management
• Manage flowering, fruit set, thinning and crop development
• Coordinate harvesting, sorting, storage and appropriate use of fruit
• Maintain orchard records, including varieties, tree health, yields and seasonal observations
• Take responsibility for the establishment, care and ongoing management of the 79 different fruit/tree/plant varieties in the communal garden
• Develop seasonal planting, propagation and maintenance plans
• Apply and demonstrate regenerative horticultural practices including composting, mulching and integrated pest management
• Provide practical demonstrations and explanations to visitors, volunteers and education groups
• Develop annual and seasonal work plans and coordinate casual staff, volunteers or farm hands
• Maintain equipment and ensure safe work practices

Job description

SMART Collective Pty Limited seeks an Orchard Manager/Lead to oversee the citrus and apple orchards and diverse communal garden at Burradoo Park Farm in the Southern Highlands. You will lead hands-on horticulture, implement regenerative practices and provide demonstrations to visitors and education groups.

The role combines practical orchard management with planning, record-keeping and coordinating casual staff, volunteers or farm hands across 4-5 days a week, including weekends.