Ferry Boat Seeds is currently hiring for the 2024 season! We're in search of part-time Field Hands.
Ours is a small crew where every member counts. We care about our employees’ wellbeing and strive to create a welcoming and safe work environment where roles are aligned with the individual skill sets and preferences.
Do you have a passion for seed, excellent attention to detail and experience in commercial agricultural production? Please consider applying to work with us.
Scroll down for job description and application instructions.
Please note: housing is not provided and employees must have, or be able to secure, housing prior to starting. We can offer introductions and ideas to support the search for housing.
Ours is a small crew where every member counts. We care about our employees’ wellbeing and strive to create a welcoming and safe work environment where roles are aligned with the individual skill sets and preferences.
Do you have a passion for seed, excellent attention to detail and experience in commercial agricultural production? Please consider applying to work with us.
Scroll down for job description and application instructions.
Please note: housing is not provided and employees must have, or be able to secure, housing prior to starting. We can offer introductions and ideas to support the search for housing.
fIELD HAND
Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Field Hands will assist with seed production and cleaning tasks to produce vegetable and flower seed crops on six acres at our certified organic home farm, in addition to 3-5 off-site locations. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, assisting with day-to-day crop production, seed harvest and cleaning, and detailed record keeping. Field Hands will work under the direction of the owners and Assistant Farm Manager, both independently and as part of a 2-4 member team.
WORK SCHEDULE
Seasonal (April-November); 8-32 hours per week; Monday through Friday. Our typical workday is 9am to 5pm with a 30-minute paid lunch and work-breaks. For this position there is considerable potential for flexibility in schedule including days and hours per week.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Help with crop production activities including:
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
COMPENSATION
Field Hands will assist with seed production and cleaning tasks to produce vegetable and flower seed crops on six acres at our certified organic home farm, in addition to 3-5 off-site locations. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, assisting with day-to-day crop production, seed harvest and cleaning, and detailed record keeping. Field Hands will work under the direction of the owners and Assistant Farm Manager, both independently and as part of a 2-4 member team.
WORK SCHEDULE
Seasonal (April-November); 8-32 hours per week; Monday through Friday. Our typical workday is 9am to 5pm with a 30-minute paid lunch and work-breaks. For this position there is considerable potential for flexibility in schedule including days and hours per week.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Help with crop production activities including:
- Greenhouse transplant production
- Direct seeding and transplanting
- Manual weeding
- Mechanical weeding with walk-behind tractor
- Installing and tending of drip and overhead irrigation systems
- Careful cleaning of field equipment to reduce risk of transporting crop disease and weed seed between sites
- Seed harvest, including manual and mechanical swathing and threshing
- Mechanical and manual threshing
- Cleaning seed using a variety of seed cleaning equipment including air-screen cleaner, draper, gravity table, decorticator and Winnow Wizard
- Maintaining a clean working environment
- Ensuring all equipment is thoroughly cleaned between seed lots
- Packing and shipping seed
- Keeping detailed daily records of activities
- Maintenance of farm headquarters (mowing, weed whacking, general cleanup)
- This position will require flexibility as business needs and tasks vary with season, crew availability, weather and general growing conditions
- Depending on skill level, basic operation of field and cultivating tractors
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Positive and collaborative attitude
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and in a small crew
- Ability to accept direction and constructive feedback
- Ability to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently
- Ability to work outside for extended periods in hot, cold, dry, wet, windy, dusty (and often very pleasant!) weather conditions
- For seed cleaning, applicants must be comfortable working inside for extended periods in a loud and dusty environment (appropriate Personal Protective Equipment is provided)
- Ability to repeatedly lift 30 lbs
- Ability to stand, bend, crouch and squat for long periods of time
- Ability to use spreadsheets for record keeping and to keep detailed notes of activities throughout the work day
- Valid driver’s license for travel to off site locations and supply runs
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in commercial agriculture.
- Experience with seed production.
- Experience with tractor operation.
COMPENSATION
- This position is hourly; compensation varies DOE: $18.00 to $22.50
- 30-minute paid lunch break during regular scheduled work days
- Paid sick leave (accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours worked)
- Access to Washington’s Paid Family Medical Leave benefit
- From time to time, free organic produce and flowers from the farm
- $100 stipend for dedicated Ferry Boat Seeds footwear