Tractor Specialist


Company: Red Dog Farm
Location: Chimacum, Olympic Peninsula, WA
Compensation: $18-20 per hour DOE
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Categories: Agriculture
Region: Neighboring States
Date Posted: November 3, 2023

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Full Time: 40 hours/ week
Position Timeline: Beginning Feb/March/April- Oct/Nov/Dec
Schedule: Work days are generally Monday through Friday, with some weekends April- June. A one-week vacation after July is encouraged, and winter vacation time of up to two months is negotiable.

This position primarily operates equipment in our fields under the direction of the production manager. Previous experience with equipment, particularly in the context of row crop farming, is desired. Strong applicants would have common sense and mechanical awareness and be able to follow complex directions. This position also works on the field crew team when tractor work is not available. This may involve harvesting, working in the packshed, making deliveries, moving irrigation lines, or any other field work task.

Applications are reviewed as they are received.

Responsibilities
• Perform field tractor work using a variety of equipment and implements, including but not limited to fertilizing, plowing, chiseling, discing, mowing, tilling, flaming, cultivating, seeding, spraying, laying plastic and drip, pulling plastic and drip, digging potatoes, root lifting, transplanting, and operating a walk-behind tiller
• Perform non-field tractor work, such as bucket work, box blade, towing, load moving, unloading
• Farm labor, including harvest, washing/packing produce, irrigation, field work

Background and Skills
• Tractor and other equipment experience preferred (will train the right candidate)
• Experience driving manual transmission vehicles
• Mechanical awareness- ability to problem-solve and think creatively, using resources on-hand and common sense
• Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules and situations
• Ability to work independently primarily, while also being part of a team
• Must have a clean driver’s license and be capable of handling physically demanding work

Compensation
$18-20 per hour DOE, as well as veggies from our fields. Paid sick leave (one hour for every 40 hours worked). Time-and-a-half overtime pay for hours over 40 per week. Gear stipend. Weekly group lunch with all farm employees. Housing is not included, but we help new hires find housing by posting flyers and reaching out to our connections in the community. Employees who return for multiple seasons will receive an annual performance-based raise as well as an opportunity to increase/ refine responsibilities matching their commitment to the farm.

About Red Dog Farm
Settled in the thriving farming community of Chimacum, Washington, Red Dog Farm boasts gorgeous views, salmon-bearing creek frontage, and prime growing conditions. We are a certified organic production farm and grow over 150 different varieties of vegetables, berries, cut flowers and plant starts on 23 acres. We pride ourselves in providing beautiful, nourishing food for the community through our large CSA program, in our Farmstand, at Farmers Markets, at local grocers, and to regional restaurants. We work hard, rely on organized systems and communication, provide consistent opportunities for trainings & learning, and have fun while doing it!

About the Red Dog Crew
The crew at Red Dog Farm enjoys the comradery that comes along with working hard as a team, having hands in the dirt and experiencing the fullness of seasons on the farm. The Olympic Peninsula is one of the most diverse landscapes to live and explore, and being in the rain shadow, we enjoy far more sunny days than the rest of the region. Red Dog draws employees who move to the area from all over to work on the farm, and we strive to create a culture of respect & inclusivity. It is important to us that our crew has a healthy work-life balance and can enjoy all the Olympic Peninsula has to offer while also gaining a vast range of farm knowledge and skills. Many of our former crew & managers have gone on to start farms of their own! Ideal applicants will have a strong drive to learn all aspects of the farm, be willing to work outdoors rain or shine, and work well on a team. Whether you are new to farming or have years of experience, we are looking to bring on more hard-working individuals to collaborate with us and the land to continue building a strong local food system.