Northey Street City Farm Brisbane – Farm Manager position

Northey Street City Farm….. a place for learning about living sustainably in the city

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position: Farming Manager
Hours: 24 hours per week
Pay rate: NSCF Award Agreement Manager Level, $24.80 per hour excluding entitlements
Contract Position: Permanent part time
Responsible to: Management Committee

Person
The Farming Manager should have a proven strong background in practical Permaculture and organic fruit and vegetable farming (sub tropics), preferably having previously managed a team of people to develop a commercial market garden or orchards. They should have demonstrable experience in both managing day-to-day farm operations as well as driving medium-term strategic and commercial directions.  

Organisation
Established in 1994, Northey Street City Farm (NSCF) is a non-profit community organisation for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn the principles of Permaculture through hands-on experience. Join an enthusiastic, passionate group of people to work on one of Australia’s largest city farms; a certified Organic Permaculture site on 6 acres, established kitchen and market gardens as well as orchards and wood lot, plus Brisbane’s only Organic Sunday Markets. NSCF is also a community hub that facilitates the development of social connections and new skills for volunteers and participants in a variety of programs. Use your skills and experience to help us develop this fantastic resource.

Role
– 24 hrs/wk (which must include Tuesdays and Thursdays) a minimum of 4 days a week.
– Remainder of hours per week are flexible according to season and weather conditions.
– Planning, scheduling and managing food production, management and maintenance of all gardens to increase productivity of the land using Permaculture principles and practises
– Manage staff and volunteers within the Farming team
– Contribute technical expertise and support other teams as needed
– Develop the Farm to enhance its reputation as a resilient community asset

Responsibilities
– Manage all farm zones according to Permaculture and Organic principles
– Maintain organic certification of the farm, including developing an organic management plan
and farm operating procedures
– Organise and facilitate farming team meetings
– Develop and implement schedules for harvesting and the preservation of surpluses
– Record and document seasonal planning, planting and harvesting information
– Manage the integration of food production and provisioning activities to meet the
requirements of the kitchen for community lunches, and the market produce stall
– Work with the Nursery to maintain the seed saving strategy
– Manage the green waste and composting systems
– Coordinate animal management
– On-the-ground management of staff
– Direct and supervise farming related project and grant funded staff and volunteers
– Provide activities for volunteers, community service and other program participants to be
engaged in as one part of the overall volunteer program at NSCF
– Assist in maintaining farming tools and workshop
– Contribute to the development, enactment and review of key policy documents to guide activities on the Farm
– Coordinate, manage and develop farming enterprises, e.g. the NSCF Market stall, nursery, and allotments
– Participate in fortnightly Team Reps meetings
– Monthly reports to the Management Committee
– Prepare and manage budgets and be accountable for any team related cash handling systems

Selection Criteria
Essential
● Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) and extensive Permaculture experience
● Demonstrated experience in certified Organic farming in the sub-tropics
● High level farm management experience in a diverse, integrated farming context
● Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to lead and facilitate
meetings
● Ability to work within an interdependent team structure
● Ability to prepare and manage budgets
● People management skills including conflict resolution and team-building
● Willingness to have a criminal background check
● Hold a current first aid certificate or be willing to acquire one

Desirable
● Advanced Permaculture design and implementation skills and training
● Experience working in community or volunteer organisations
● Project management skills
● Skills in using, maintaining and repairing tools and infrastructure
● Skills and experience in WH&S practices.

Applications:
Applications must address each of the selection criteria (maximum 100 words each)
Please also include a CV with at least two referees
Applications are due close of business Tuesday 11 December, 2012.
Proposed start date is 7 January 2013.
For further information, please contact the Farm on 3857 8775
Please submit application electronically to: info [at] nscf.org.au

Hard copies may be sent to: Northey Street City Farm, 16 Victoria St, Windsor, 4030

NSCF Mission Statement
We are a dynamic, creative and diverse city farm based on mutuality, innovation and environmental sustainability.

NSCF Vision
We aim to create a working model of a cooperative, community based, urban Permaculture farm which demonstrates, promotes, educates, celebrates and advocates for environmental and economic sustainability in a healthy, diverse and supportive community.

Phone: (07) 3857 8775 Fax: (07) 3857 8108 Email: info [at] nscf.org.au
Web: www.nscf.org.au

Author: Zaia Kendall

Zaia grew up in a family of musicians in Holland, and has a background in top sport (snow skiing) and web development and design. She co-founded the PRI Luganville and PRI Sunshine Coast Inc (now PermEco Inc.) with Tom, and runs the “invisible structures”, like finances, business administration, website design and maintenance, writes articles and records and edits videos. She assists Tom in running the Kendall Permaculture Farm and supervising other volunteers. She is an active member of several musical projects and bands, involved in community music and runs percussion and marimba workshops, is the percussion leader for the Woodford Folk Festival People’s Orchestra and composes as well as plays music. She is passionate about community music and loves seeing people discover that they can play!