Schedule: June 2 - August 1 (with training in May) Mon-Fri 8:30-3:00 and Sunday 7am-3pm

About Us: The Ignition Lab, The Green Technology Department operates a hydroponic shipping container farm focused on sustainable agriculture, local produce, and community education. Our farm helps educate and empower local high school interns through hands-on experience in farming, producing fresh produce indoors for the local market.

Job Description: We are seeking a motivated and responsible Hydroponic Farm Manager to oversee the daily operations of our hydroponic farm and mushroom farm, as well as manage a team of teen interns for the summer of 2025. This role requires leadership skills, the ability to work with young people, and an understanding of sustainable farming practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Management: Lead, train, and supervise a team of teenage interns (ages 14-18). Provide guidance and mentorship while fostering a positive and educational work environment.
Educational Outreach: Teach interns about hydroponics, sustainable farming practices, and the local produce market.
Farmer’s Market Operations: Organize and manage the farm's weekly participation in the local farmer's market, including setting up and taking down the booth. Coordinate the market schedule with teen interns (an intern will accompany you to the market each week).
Mushroom Farm Processing: Oversee and manage the processing of mushroom blocks based on the market sales. Coordinate mushroom needs of local customers and OB’s food truck, Bytes with Soul. Ensure the proper techniques are followed for optimal harvest and quality. Coordinate the purchase and pick up of mushroom blocks from our supplier. Discuss any roadblocks with entrepreneurship lab instructor. Coordinate dehydration of excess mushrooms.
Food Safety Compliance: Ensure all farm operations, including produce and mushroom processing, adhere to USDA food safety protocols and best practices.
Facility Maintenance: Maintain a clean and safe farm environment. This includes routine cleaning and upkeep of farm equipment, hydroponic systems, and overall farm infrastructure.
Living Wall Management: Manage the care and upkeep of the living wall and Hydroponic Towers, ensuring that all plants are well-maintained and thriving. Maintaining current products and their customer relationships.
Outdoor Space Management: Maintaining and adding to the compost, turning it regularly and adding any farm waste to the compost piles and managing pests. Maintaining the pond and adding beneficial bacteria as needed monitoring algae and water levels, adding additional rainwater as needed. Maintaining the flower garden outside the farm pruning and tending to the beds as needed.
Troubleshooting: Identify and address any issues with the hydroponic systems, plant health, or general farm operations, taking appropriate action to resolve problems quickly including the use of online systems used for monitoring.
Financial management: Coordinate with the entrepreneurship lab instructor to purchase supplies, complete finance tasks, marketing efforts and relationship management with suppliers, farmer’s market management and customers. The entrepreneurship lab instructor should also be consulted on operational issues that may require an outside contractor.
Professionalism: Understand and represent Operation Breakthrough in a professional manner. Adherence to the City Market Rules & Regulations is also required. Demonstrate the ability to embrace diversity and inclusion and perform in a multicultural community. Comfortable communicating your role to visitors at OB and outside of OB.

Qualifications:

Experience in hydroponics, farming, or sustainable agriculture (preferred but not required).
Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience working with teenagers or young adults.
Knowledge of food safety standards
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
A passion for teaching, mentoring, and working in agriculture.
Problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot farm systems and plant health issues.

Join us this summer in helping to create a sustainable future and providing valuable learning experiences for our community’s youth!

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