Head Grower

JBG Organic, Texas's largest certified Organic vegetable farm, seeks a Head Grower to manage scouting, spraying, and cultivation on its 184-acre farm near Austin. The role requires experience with farm machinery and knowledge of vegetable production. Responsibilities include coordinating irrigation, pest control, and cultivation while maintaining detailed records. Candidates should have at least 3 years in agriculture/horticulture and be able to work in various weather conditions. This is a full-time position.
JBG Organic is the largest certified Organic vegetable farm in Texas. Since 2004 we have been growing a large variety of mixed vegetable crops for CSA, restaurants, farmers' markets, and wholesalers. We are looking for an experienced grower to join our team and to manage all scouting, spraying and cultivation on our 184 acre Organic farm, just outside of Austin TX. The ideal candidate should have experience operating farm machinery and a working knowledge of vegetable production.

Job Description:

The Head Grower at JBG Organic reports directly to the Farm Manager. They are responsible for regularly coordinating with the Irrigation Manager and the Farm Manager, but this position is generally autonomous with flexibility to work non-standard hours, as necessary, to perform condition-dependent functions at optimal times. The Head Grower is responsible for regularly scouting the farm for pests and crafting a spray and management plan with the Farm Manager. They are responsible for monitoring weed germination on the entire farm and scheduling timely cultivation in response. The ideal candidate must be comfortable operating farm machinery and work well independently.

Responsibilities:
• Irrigation – Coordinate irrigation of fields with Farm Irrigator and perform maintenance and repairs on irrigation and pump systems.
• Pest control - Scout farm for detrimental insects and animals, devise and implement pest control plan with the Farm Manager. This includes spraying fields with appropriate organic approved products, burning heavily infested areas, and trapping and/or fencing out animals.
• Cultivation - Control weeds by means of mechanical cultivation using hillside cultivator, basket weeder, and/or other necessary tools and implements.
• Maintain detailed records of pest control sprayings.
• Coordinate with Farm Administrator to purchase spray materials.
• Coordinate with Maintenance Manager to perform needed repairs to tools and equipment, and acquire parts.
• Communicate to Farm Manager problems/areas of concern(ie. severe pest or weed infestations) and collaborate to devise action plan.

Required Qualifications:
• Able to lift 50+lbs consistently through the day.
• Able to work outside in different weather conditions. (Cold, Heat, Rain, etc)
• Experience driving tractors and operating machinery.
• Knowledge of plumbing and irrigation systems.

Qualifications, preferred:
• Basic welding
• Knowledge of horticulture and pest/disease prevention and control.
• Mechanical and automotive repair
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)
• 3+ years experience in agriculture and/or horticulture, with knowledge of relevant vehicles, machines, implements, and tools necessary to fulfill stated responsibilities.

Schedule: Full Time, 40+hrs/wk. Position requires the flexibility to work non-standard hours, as necessary, to perform condition-dependent functions at optimal times.

Pay: $20+/ hr dependent on experience.

Directions for Applying: Please send an email to jobs@jbgorganic.com with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!
• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Head Grower": J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear: 1) Cover Letter 2) Resume 3) List containing contact information of two professional references

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.