Garden Specialist

Friends of Switchpoint Inc; St. George (VT); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Vision/Dental

Transportation Allowance

Paid Time Off

401k

Job summary

Friends of Switchpoint Inc. in Vermont is seeking a Garden Specialist to oversee the hydroponic garden, manage growers, and ensure high-quality produce for community programs.

You will train volunteers, set cultivation standards, monitor nutrients, and optimize harvesting efficiency while coordinating with leadership on new revenue opportunities and program growth.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of hydroponic farming experience preferred.
• Knowledge of botany and soilless cultivation.
• Excellent people skills and ability to lead a large harvest team.
• Capacity to conduct formal training sessions and presentations.
• Interest in the hydroponic industry and sustainable farming.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing all garden operations and hydroponic growers.
• Training and managing volunteers and staff.
• Set growing standards, schedules, and nutrient plans.
• Prepare for harvest times and optimize yield.
• Maintain or replace hydroponic equipment and monitor supplies.
• Experiment with growing conditions to improve efficiency.
• Compile budgets and generate financial reports.
• Communicate status to management and explore new revenue opportunities.
• Test water quality regularly and propose marketing strategies.

Skills

Hydroponic farming

Leadership

People skills

Training & presentations

Forward-thinking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

Garden Specialist

ORGANIZATION:

Friends of Switchpoint is a non-profit organization that has been serving individuals, families, and veterans in Utah who are experiencing poverty and homelessness since 2014.

OUR MISSION

To empower those in need by addressing the underlying cause of poverty, providing a comprehensive plan, and supporting their journey to self-sufficiency.

OUR VISION

Every individual embodies their worth and value with self-esteem, hope and abilities restored, thriving in affordable housing.

CULTURE VALUES:

• Kindness - Remember Kindness is Contagious!
• Connection - It's why we're here and what gives purpose & meaning to life!
• Kinship - We want you and those we serve to feel a sense of Belonging.
• Self-Worth - Treat people the way they can become w/True Value & Worth!
• Self-Reliance - Learn your role and take initiative!! We want "Fishermen"!

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

• Golden Rule: To treat all people as we ourselves would wish to be treated.
• Positive Influence: To judge our effectiveness by the extent to which individual lives are saved & improved by the positive experience of the people we influence.
• Leadership: To lead by example, developing, promoting, and sharing new ideas and programs to help those experiencing homelessness.
• Authenticity: To do what we say we do.
• Transparency: To be open and honest in our relationships.

OUR MOTTO: It Takes All of Us to end homelessness.

PURPOSE:

• Provide a positive impact by addressing food inequities by making a positive impact on marginalized communities through socially impactful farming operations.
• Incorporate a micro enterprise selling leafy greens to our local community where 20% of every consumer purchase goes towards making mission.
• Practicing ZERO WASTE mentality and way of farming that is extremely conscious about the amount of water and resources used and recycled.
• Providing jobs opportunities, greenhouse tours, implementing educational & training for our clients & community.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Overseeing all operations of the garden
• training, and managing hydroponic growers and volunteers.
• Setting standards for growing all specimens, including the schedule and nutrient intake
• Ensuring proper preparation for harvesting times
• Maintaining or replacing hydroponic equipment
• Monitoring and ordering supplies
• Experimenting with growing conditions to improve efficiency.
• Compiling a budget
• Communicate daily or as needed with management on the status of independent grower activities and plans associated with maintenance.
• Working with Chief Strategic Officer to explore new revenue opportunities.
• Testing water quality on a regular basis
• Suggesting marketing strategies to better promote products.
• Preparing a projected budget and maximizing financial results through improved efficiencies.
• Maintaining accurate orders, invoices, financial books for profit and losses
• Running regular financial reports
• Ensure great customer service skills and do so efficiently.
• Work with co-workers to manage the day-to-day operations.
• Transport commodity to cooler or customer
• Willing and able to change as the job changes.

Recordkeeping and Reporting:

• Report critical incident(s) immediately to Regional Director.
• Collects data necessary to meet funding requirements and statistical reports.

Requirements:

• At least 1 year of experience on a hydroponic farm preferred.
• Knowledge of botany and the art of growing plants without soil
• Excellent people skills
• Ability to lead a large team during harvest time.
• Forward-thinking mindset, ability to always see the big picture.
• Ability to conduct formal training sessions and presentations.
• Interest in the hydroponic industry
• High school diploma or equivalent

COMPENSATION:

Wage range starting at $16/hour-$20/hour

Switchpoint offers a benefits package that includes Medical/Vision/Dental, Transportation Allowance, Paid Time Off, 401k

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We value a diverse workforce.