Assistant Grower in Lincoln, MA

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries.

About This Position

Since the 1950s, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary has played a foundational role in the Mass Audubon system, educating millions of children and adults about the value of nature and the importance of sustainable farming. We are committed to farming with the health of our adjacent woods, meadows, ponds, and vernal pools in mind. The Drumlin Farm crops team stewards all aspects of a crops operation which lies at the core of this work. The health and happiness of our farmers is very important, too! Assistant Growers work closely with the Crops Manager to raise crops and market our produce through a farmstand, farmers’ markets, restaurant accounts, a CSA program and a growing commitment to hunger relief. Assistant Growers gain management experience as they instruct and lead volunteers in the field and at market. Assistant Growers will take responsibility for aspects of the operation that suit their talents and interests, co-leading in areas such as greenhouse management, production, harvest, flower and bouquet making. Because Assistant Growers are lead key components of the crops operation, they are required to work the entirety of the season. Seasonal work ends in the first week of December, at which time Assistant Growers meet with the Crops Manager to review the season and determine next steps.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with all aspects of field and greenhouse work related to our 30-acre diversified crops operation, including seeding, planting, weeding, harvest, washing, packing, and distributing.
• Assist in care and cleaning of facilities and equipment including fencing, greenhouse, and wash station.
• Assist with farmers’ markets, CSA, and/or restaurant deliveries, including writing harvest pick-sheets, customer communication, preparing the box truck/van, ensuring that all display items are loaded and re-stocked, and creating an attractive display.
• Represent Mass Audubon by educating customers about cooking with produce; explaining our growing practices and Mass Audubon’s mission; and addressing customer service issues as they arise.
• For staff who work the winter season: Plan and implement the annual maple sugaring operation, including leading volunteers in collecting sap, operating the evaporator, and bottling the syrup; coordinating educational programming that takes place at the evaporator and assisting in the delivery of educational presentations to the public and visiting groups; and coordinating the cleanup and stowage of the evaporator and other sugaring equipment at the end of the season.
• Assist the Crops Manager with other farm duties, including writing the crop plan, field planning and crop rotation; ordering seed and materials; set-up and break-down of the farm stand; and training Fieldworkers.
• Work with Crops Manager to ensure alignment between farming practices and Drumlin Farm educational and ecological objectives.
• Lead groups of volunteers and/or summer campers to assist with field tasks.
• Play a central role in work with volunteers and youth program participants.
• Follow record keeping protocols.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves:

• Must be comfortable with physical labor in all weather conditions.
• Enjoy cooking with local food and be willing to share their knowledge with the public.
• Positive, punctual, precise, energetic, resilient, and attentive.
• Responsible and self-driven with the ability to work independently and as a team player.
• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people and exercise cultural competence and inclusion, and willing to work with groups of adults and children.
• Ability to lead and work alongside volunteer groups of all ages as well as work share members
• Applicants wanting to gain leadership experience in restaurant accounts and farmers’ markets must be willing to be trained to drive a 12 foot box truck.

Nice to Haves:

• 1-2 years experience working in crop production, preferred but not required, and a passion for sustainable agriculture

Physical Demands:

The physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of the position, the employee is required to talk, hear, sit, stand, and walk. The employee is required to bend/stoop, crawl/kneel, carry, reach, push/pull, walk over uneven terrain, and lift up to 50 pounds and work in variable outdoor weather conditions. Employee is required to apply limited manual dexterity in combination with eye-hand coordination, such as basic keyboarding, basic hand tools and instruments, filing, operating office equipment, and operating a motor vehicle. Employee must have good vision to read documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes. Occasionally the employee is required to review non-written materials for general observation purposes and for analytical, detailed purposes. Occasionally it is necessary for the employee to differentiate between colors.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Routine work is performed mainly outdoors with exposure to weather/temperature extremes and extended periods of traversing uneven terrain. Work may require performing responsibilities on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Tools and Equipment Used:

The employee is required to use basic hand tools (e.g., drill, hammer, hand saw, loppers, etc.) and cleaning equipment (e.g., hand scrubbers, broom, mop, etc.). The employee is also required to use two-way radios for communication with field staff and a personal computer and general office equipment. Requires a valid driver’s license.

Compensation & Benefits

This position’s base salary range is $16.60 – $18.61; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements.

Benefits and Perks:

Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 12 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

Additional Information

Work Schedule:

Variable by season. May require performing responsibilities on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Housing in Lincoln may be available for a reduced fee

Other Requirements:

Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

COVID-19 Considerations

Mass Audubon requires that all staff, regardless of their work location, disclose their vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status will be required immediately upon hire. This should also include a booster shot if it has been 5 months since you were initially vaccinated.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment To Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

How To Apply

Please send resume and cover letter to: