Farm Crew Chief

Compensation:

Salary range: $65,000-$70,000 annually.  Casey Trees offers excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, flexible spending account, paid holidays, paid time off, and retirement plan 403 (b). 

About Casey Trees

In pursuit of its mission to restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital, Casey Trees (CT) delivers a broad base of programs and services to the DC Metro area. The organization plants more than 7,000 trees each year grown at our own nursery; cares and maintains those trees; conserves greenspace; conducts school and community-based youth STEM programming; and advocates for stronger policies and laws to preserve trees across the area. Casey Trees emphasizes innovative solutions and working with diverse partners to advance and promote tree canopy solutions that meet the needs of the communities that we serve.      

Summary 

The Farm Crew Chief executes a wide variety of tasks related to tree production, including but not limited to pruning; digging; insect and disease scouting; applying nutrients and weed control products; irrigation installation; harvesting; loading trucks and similar tasks. The incumbent ensures efficient and effective operations, supervises, and motivates field crew staff, and regularly communicates challenges and opportunities encountered with management. This position reports directly to the Farm Field Manager, working and collaborating with other staff members as required. Finally, the Farm Crew Chief leads by example, serving as positive and effective role model for Farm Crew in the execution of their work.

Essential Functions

The following essential functions are representative for the Farm Crew Chief in its entirety – including but not limited to:

General Functions

• Plants, maintains, prunes and harvests trees
• Installs, maintains, monitors, and manages irrigation systems
• Inspects trees and traps for evidence of insects/disease and recommends corrective treatments.
• Applies varied pest and weed control products with handheld and tractor-type equipment
• Observes safety protocols in mixing, loading, handling, application, and storage of products
• Maintains farm structures and performs routine equipment repair and maintenance
• Performs plant sap analysis (pH/Calcium/Potassium, etc.), relays result to the management team
• Assists in the inventory process as directed
• Performs general tool, vehicle, and grounds maintenance
• Supervises, motivates and evaluates a cohort of field crew members.
• Performs general farm, building and related tasks as required.
• Confirms bill of lading is correct for quality, quantity, and size of all shipments
• Connects people to trees
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervision & Field Operations Management

• Directs and evaluates work outputs of Farm Crew
• Ensures adherence and proper modeling to organizational policies and procedures including, but not limited to attendance, timeliness, conduct, professionalism, appearance, customer service, etc.
• Assists with training Farm Crew on all tasks assigned to them.
• Oversees the proper loading and transporting of trees via truck, trailer, ATV’s, track loaders, etc.
• Promotes a safety culture by reducing hazardous conditions resulting from human error, equipment and machine operations that may lead to injury and/or property damage

Competencies

• Field Work
• Safety Orientation
• Teamwork
• Self-Motivation
• Communication Proficiency
• Time Management
• Mentorship/Leadership
• Attention to Detail
• Technical Ability

Working Conditions

The incumbent works primarily outside year-round in heat, cold and inclement weather and must have suitable clothing. Must be able to use equipment such as (not an exclusive list): tractors, track loaders, mowers, augers, tree spades, chippers, sprayers, tillage implements, seed drills, wood splitters, stump grinders, pumps, shovels, chainsaws, line trimmers, blowers, drills, saws, etc. The incumbent must also be able to use computers, printers, copiers, telephones, smartphones, and walkie-talkies. 

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The incumbent is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk. The incumbent is required to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds frequently. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time non-exempt position, 40 hours a week. The incumbent must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours when needed. This position requires in person components, there are very few opportunities for telework.  

Travel

Local travel for various purposes may be required during the business day. Travel is primarily local to the greater Washington, DC metro area including daily and overnight travel to CT’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Occasional travel out of the area for training/seminars/events, etc., requiring overnight stay may be expected.  

Required Qualifications

• One (1) or more years of experience in farming, tree production, horticulture or related field
• Ability and motivation to learn new skills quickly, with a focus on horticultural skills
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, ability to safely drive pickup truck and trailer
• Certified Pesticide Applicator license required within one year of hire
• Good communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team, and to manage multiple activities simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree, or any equivalent combination of education and experience
• ISA Certification required within two years of hire
• Experience operating/maintaining farm machinery and equipment, power tools, hand tools, etc.
• Two (2) years of supervisory field management experience
• Certified Pesticide Applicator’s License, any State
• Knowledge of organic farming and integrated pest management techniques a distinct plus

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Casey Trees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.