Bramble Hill Farm

 
Bramble Hill Farm provides living and working spaces for a range of people and projects that test innovative ways to build a sustainable, healthy, and creative farm centered community that benefits the broader population.

The 120 acre farm is located in Amherst, MA and is supported by the Open Field Foundation.

Find us here.

We are hiring a Seasonal, part-time Farm Hand/Property Maintenance Employee 

Bramble Hill Farm is a non-profit organization that owns and maintains a 120-acre mixed agricultural, conservation, and residential property in Amherst, Massachusetts. We are seeking a self-directed and motivated Farm Hand/Property Maintenance Employee to assist with a wide variety of property upkeep tasks including maintenance of the educational garden, landscaping, land conservation, and other property maintenance tasks. 
Apply via email with a letter of interest, resume, and three references to [email protected].

Seasonal position: June-November Hours: 15-20 hours/week

Compensation: $20/hour to start with higher hourly rates depending on experience, performance, and duration of employment.  

Ideal schedule: 7:30am-12:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Some flexibility in scheduling; must be available between 7:30am-2:00pm on M,T,Th, and F. Wednesday shifts not available. 

​Other benefits:  For employees who return a second year this position qualifies for a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer contribution. Educational opportunities: Training can be provided for a variety of skills depending on the employee's interests, commitment to long term employment, and needs of the farm including but not limited to vegetable gardening, plant identification, operation of small farm equipment such as string trimmers and chainsaws, and operation of tractors. Personal use of woodshop, garden space, exercise room, and tools for those who demonstrate an ability to maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and tools. 
Key Responsibilities
Report to Property Manager: Follow daily and weekly ‘to-do’ lists; check in with Property Manager before and after each shift. Planting, weeding, mulching, watering, and harvesting crops.  Edging garden beds, digging new garden beds and creating paths.  Garden pest management (monitoring plants).  Removal and management of invasive plant species by cutting and digging.  Clearing vegetation along fence lines with string trimmer and hand tools. Farm road maintenance such as filling in potholes (shoveling, spreading, raking gravel). Raking and collecting leaves. Picking up deadfall.  Keeping the property looking tidy and tended to (keeping paths and trails clear, picking up and disposing of trash, reporting any issues to Property Manager). Cleaning (sweeping, vacuuming, ocasional mopping) and organizing interior of barns and other farm spaces. Assisting the Property Manager with general property maintenance tasks. 

Qualifications:
Required
Prior experience working outdoors. Attention to detail. Able to work independently and efficiently.  Strong communication skills including active listening, following directions, and receiving constructive feedback on performance from the Property Manager.
This is a highly physical position. Employees will be required to regularly: Perform physical labor for extended periods of time; Lift and/or move up to 30lbs; Stand, sit, move, squat, kneel, walk, bend, and reach throughout the shift; Work in all weather conditions, especially hot, humid, and full-sun conditions;  Work in open fields with full-sun, in wetlands with muddy conditions or standing water, and among grass up to 6ft tall; Perform fine motor tasks and use hand tools; Work in close proximity to loud power equipment (PPE will be provided);  Moving heavy materials with a wheelbarrow. 

Preferred
Plant ID skills Experience with no/low till, organic gardening Proficiency with operating gas-powered, small farm equipment, especially string trimmers and chainsaws Experience with operating small tractors and agricultural equipment such as brush cutters Experience operating gas-powered and electric equipment such as string trimmers up to 5 hours/day (training provided for the right candidate). Tree and small shrub pruning.  Carpentry, plumbing, and mechanical skills. Opportunities

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