Native Seed Production Assistant Farm Manager

A thriving future for California’s environment and communities requires bold vision, creative problem-solving, and relentless determination. This is a critical decade for action and River Partners is growing our team of talented, tenacious change-makers to meet the challenge head on. Join us! 

Who We Are
River Partners brings life back to California rivers. We’ve revitalized more habitat along impaired California rivers than any other entity in the western U.S., having led hundreds of projects across nearly 20,000 acres throughout California. We restore thriving native forests and ecosystems that support imperiled wildlife, improve flood safety, boost the state’s climate resilience, replenish and improve freshwater resources, create open space for communities, and build stronger local economies. Since 1998, we have pioneered an innovative, entrepreneurial approach to conservation, combining modern farming, cutting edge science, and diverse partnerships.   

We are meeting the urgent need this decade to restore our riverways and seek passionate team members to help us grow our restoration footprint at an unprecedented pace and scale.

Heritage Growers was started by the seasoned restoration experts at River Partners. At Heritage Growers, we’re driven by the vision of a vibrant California, with many thousands of acres of restored habitat. The seeds and plants that pass through our hands are the keys to making this vision a reality. By working with our clients and partners to restore ecosystems across the state, we’re creating a legacy of rich biodiversity for future generations. Together, we can mend the mosaic of California’s natural wonders one native seed and plant at a time. 

Why You Should Join Us  
River Partners offers competitive salaries and benefits, including comprehensive health care  insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with immediate employer matching, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance programs, and other well-being benefits. We’re proud of our supportive culture and focus on work-life balance. We strive to create an environment that brings fulfilment to our team members’ personal lives by offering paid time off, an alternative work schedule, and flexible hours. 

Position Description
The Native Seed Production Assistant Farm Manager works with the Farm Manager to grow and amplify native seeds to support multi-million dollar and multi-year river restoration projects across California. The Asst. Farm Manager will be responsible for helping farm native grasses and forbs, optimizing seed production and harvest. This is a dedicated, hands-on position requiring both physical implementation of farming practices as well as management of farming operations.

Note: The Assistant Farm Manager position involves challenging work and long hours. During much of the year, the work will include a standard farm work week of 55hrs – 65hrs. per week. During some times of year, (i.e., winter months) when there is limited access to the fields due to weather or field conditions, hours would be reduced to as low as 40hrs. per week. The position requires a flexible work schedule.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Assists Farm Manager in farming approximately 170 acres (and growing) of prime agricultural soils in native grasses and forbs to produce seed of known genetic origin for use in habitat restoration projects.
• Manage and conduct irrigation under the direction of the Farm Manager.
• Direct field and labor crews as necessary.
• Observe fields for insect, weed, and fungus problems.
• Train field and contractor staff to safely mix and apply pesticides.
• Assist in seed cleaning operation in collaboration with Farm Manager, Seed Cleaning Manager, and Mill operator.
• Help supervise, as needed, seed bagging, tagging, and mixing to assist with seed order fulfillment.
• Collaborate with the Farm Manager to schedule production goals and budget needs; manage inventory, product quality, vendors, and clients.
• Work with vendors and labor crews to make sure deliverables and safety goals are met.
• Work with manager to initiate and direct changes to increase efficiency and meet objectives.
• Conduct other duties as requested.
• Assist Seed Manager during harvest and seed cleaning operations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Interest in production of native seed for habitat restoration.
• Experience in row crop production agriculture or willing to learn.
• Experience watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure agricultural machines are working properly and determining causes of operating errors.
• Some experience performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed or willing to learn.
• Demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and managers always.
• Intermediate computer proficiency skills.
• Working well under pressure performing multiple tasks and sometimes with competing timeline requirements.
• Ability to apply logical thinking and sound judgment to a wide range of practical 
  problems.
• Interest and ability to learn native seed production tasks and improve upon performance as technical skills are obtained.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow oral and written instruction.

Qualifications

• BS in agriculture or related fields are encouraged to apply. Relevant work experience in production agriculture and native plant horticulture may substitute for a college degree.
• Proven ability to delegate and coordinate a series of tasks on a tight deadline.
• Demonstrate an understanding of farming practices and equipment operation.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Integrity and ethics beyond reproach
• Commitment and enthusiasm to carry out Heritage Growers mission.
• Must be willing to obtain a DPR Qualified Applicator Certificate or a Colusa County spray license within 6 months of hire.

Compensation 
Salary is commensurate with experience, anticipated to range between $66,560 and $68,000 annually. River Partners offers a generous benefits package including ample holidays and paid time off, an alternative work week schedule, flexible location and hours, medical insurance, and up to 4% 401(k) match on your contribution. 

Location
This position reports from Heritage Growers Farm in Colusa, California.

To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references in a PDF saved with your last name and the position job title separated by an underscore (e.g., Smith_Native Seed Production Assistant Farm Manager) to jobs@riverpartners.org.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until this position is filled