The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
Position Title: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program Assistant
POSITION IDENTIFICATION
Position Classification: Miscellaneous Farm Worker
Position Title: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program Assistant
Faculty: Land and Food Systems
Department The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
Position Number: 30757
POSITION FUNCTION
The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm (CSFS) is a research centre and local-to-global food hub working towards a more sustainable, food-secure future. A 24-hectare teaching and learning space and working farm, the UBC Farm is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus. Our living laboratory is committed to finding solutions to local and global challenges facing food systems sustainability. The CSFS at UBC Farm provides experiential learning opportunities for the UBC community and beyond and strives to explore and exemplify how land, food and community are brought together to create healthy and sustainable food systems. More information about the CSFS at UBC Farm can be found at www.ubcfarm.ubc.ca.
The CSFS at UBC Farm operates on a cost-recovery basis and farm product sales are a significant source of operating revenue. CSA is an acronym for Community Supported Agriculture. CSAs connect farmers and consumers in a partnership creating an alternative, locally-based economic model of agriculture and food distribution. In such a partnership CSA members buy a share in the farm at the beginning of the season and then receive a weekly box of produce throughout the growing season. The CSA Program Assistant works under the supervision of the Sales Manager and works collaboratively with the Sales Assistant and other UBC Farm staff to assist with the sale and tracking of agricultural products marketed through the CSA Program specifically, as well as through other direct sales channels (i.e. the Tuesday Evening Markets, Wednesday Campus Markets, and Saturday Markets), and to assist with day-to-day harvest and processing (harvest, washing and packing) operations as required. These activities and associated record keeping for the CSA Program intrinsically form a part of the academic programming at the CSFS at UBC Farm and substantially inform production decisions. CSA sales data collected by the CSA Program Assistant provides the raw material that allows the development of an academically diverse range of studies conducted by faculty, staff and students, research projects and agricultural production at the UBC Farm site.
We are seeking an energetic and reliable person to work with the UBC Farm team to support the growth of and to participate in the success of the CSFS at UBC Farm’s production and sales via the CSA Program.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to the Sales Manager. Works closely, in a collaborative environment, with the Sales Assistant and other UBC Farm staff.
WORK PERFORMED
• CSA Program tasks – coordinating and planning upcoming content of weekly CSA shares, responding to CSA member e-mail, phone and/or in-person inquiries and requests; preparing weekly CSA Program e-newsletters, assisting with organizing CSA and UBC Farm staff member community potlucks and social events.
• Field production tasks – crop/field maintenance (seeding, transplanting, weeding, pest management, etc.), harvesting, processing and packaging produce for weekly (Tuesday and Saturday) CSA pick-ups.
• CSA sales and data collection tasks – cashiering and liaising with CSA members during pick-up times; assisting with counting cash register tills; assisting with CSA sales data tracking for UBC Farm records.
• General farm tasks – assisting with other field duties, basic construction, cleaning, etc. as required.
EXERCISING JUDGMENT/IMPACT OF DECISIONS
The CSA Program Assistant is a representative of the CSFS at UBC Farm and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. This individual’s approach and delivery of information in dealing with the general public and a variety of site users present at the UBC Farm site reflect on these units. Therefore, ensuring a high regard for professionalism, safety, and adherence to UBC policies is of considerable importance.
When dealing with equipment, the CSA Program Assistant will need to critically assess each operation before proceeding in order to ensure the safety of all individuals involved. When using high-powered equipment, poor judgment of the operating conditions and context can result in operator injury or death.
Day-to-day decisions regarding crop planting, care, and harvest have a considerable impact on crop quality and timing, which in turn impacts the financial viability and teaching quality of the farm.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Reports to and works under the supervision of the Sales Manager. Must show a significant degree of autonomy and be able to make day-to-day decisions independently, but will review major decisions with and defer high-impact decisions to the Sales Manager. Evaluation of the performance of major job responsibilities will include reviews of quality and effectiveness in achieving program objectives and financial viability, as well as adherence to the CSFS at UBC Farm’s mission, vision and guiding principles.
SUPERVISION GIVEN
The CSA Program Assistant will not have supervisory responsibilities.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work takes place both indoors and outdoors, in the field, processing area, walk-in coolers, farmers markets, and in the UBC Farm Centre office. The CSA Program Assistant is required to work in all weather conditions. Work in extreme weather conditions may be required. Shared indoor office space is provided at the UBC Farm, though the CSA Program Assistant will be required communicate with other UBC Farm staff to avoid space conflicts. When special events or circumstances require, work will be performed after normal business hours.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Skills:
• Excellent customer service and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Self-motivated, highly adaptable, able to identify and prioritize tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and computer skills.
• Trustworthy; experience with money handling or cashiering.
• Demonstrated ability to work quickly, efficiently and calmly in high-stress settings for long hours in any weather and bring tasks to completion on time.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to work both independently and within a high-energy team environment; able to resolve interpersonal conflicts professionally.
• Experience with organic farming and/or gardening.
• Knowledge of local and organic agricultural production practices and trends.
• Experience working with MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint), as well as Google applications.
• Familiarity with and commitment to the vision and mission of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm.
• Must be in good physical shape and must be able to lift and carry approximately 50 lbs.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license required; access to a cell phone is an asset.
• Market Safe and/or Food Safety, Level 1 training (or willingness to obtain it).
POSITION DETAILS
Start and End Dates: May 1st, 2019 to October 31st, 2019, with the possibility of part-time hours in November 2019
Hours Worked: 28 – 35 hours per week (Tuesdays to Saturdays)
Starting Wage Range: $16.23 – $16.88 per hour (commensurate with experience)
HOW TO APPLY
• Email, as a single PDF document, a cover letter and a resume clearly detailing your experience and qualifications for this position to Natalie Yuen at natalie.yuen@ubc.ca
• Ensure your email subject line clearly refers to the CSA Program Assistant position.
• Ensure your name and the position title are included in the PDF file name.
• Applications must be received no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday, February 3rd, 2019.
• Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Please no phone calls or emails.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. The CSFS at UBC Farm will give priority to individuals who have demonstrated commitment through volunteer service or other engagement.