Farm Supervisor (6328)
Location: El Centro, California
Job Number: 6328
Ortega Farms LLC, is a full-service, in-house farm management operation with a long-standing heritage of stewarding the land. Our leadership in agriculture management helps our customers, partners and team achieve long-term success, profitability and confidence. We work to produce and cultivate land from seed to harvest. Our vertically integrated services offer a wide variety of solutions to ensure both bountiful harvests and efficient farm business management. We are stewards of our land, people and product by solely working with healthy crops that provide nutritious options for consumers. We make decisions with sustainability in mind to bring customers and consumers a healthy option, both in business and nutrition. Our investment in our systems, team and operations allows our customers to succeed with us. We provide the financial, budgetary and systems oversight needed by our clients. We take our client's investment to heart and in turn, provide confidence that their asset is managed with the utmost integrity. The belief in our work is supported through three generations of farmers, vision and hard work. Our belief in what we do today helps us shape a mindful legacy for us and our customer's.

We currently seek to fill the position of Farm Supervisor, If you have a passion and enthusiasm to make things grow the right way, we invite you to join our team!

Fundamental Objective: The Farm Supervisor, will coordinate the management of the day-to-day farming and staffing functions of field labor crews within their assigned geographic area with the primary focus on tree health.

Cultural Responsibilities:

Coordinate and prioritize all activities on their designated farm and the employees who work in it.
Direct crop production operations, including, but not limited to, pruning, tying, poling, shredding, hedging, replants; and gopher, squirrel, and crow control.
Monitor and assure timeliness and accuracy of activities such as irrigation, fertilization, and chemical application to ensure adherence to safety regulations or standards; and to report issues when they are found.
Responsible for the proper calibration and amendment of the irrigation water along with reporting these functions as directed by management (Sulfur/Gypsum).

Assist Farm Management with the coordination of all chemical field sprays with the primary focus on timely applications, tree health, and safety.
Implement water schedules as directed by Farm Manager. Must have a basic understanding of irrigation, irrigation scheduling, irrigation water districts and orders, irrigation systems and their functions along with the ability to recognize when adjustments need to be made.
Responsible for the monitoring and collection of irrigation flow meter changes and responsible for the timely and accurate reporting of this data as directed by management.

Maintain assigned geographic area aesthetically pleasing and in a safe and organized manner.
Confer with managers to evaluate weather or soil conditions, to develop plans or procedures, or to discuss issues such as changes in fertilizers, herbicides, irrigation, or cultural techniques.
Perform the same horticultural or agricultural duties as subordinates when necessary.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assist in the hiring, training, and supervision of Company or contract labor workers assuring the day-to-day activities of the managed operation are carried out successfully.

Serve as a mentor and coach to Company employees and outside labor crews to improve overall employee job knowledge and work performance.
Observe workers to detect inefficient or unsafe work procedures or to identify problems, initiating corrective action as necessary.

Communicate and report employee problems and discipline issues; as well as request crew staffing needs to the Farm Manager or the Company's human resources department.

Ensure the successful implementation of the Company's time keeping process.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be able to read, write and speak in both English and Spanish.

Valid California drivers license and motor vehicle record acceptable according to Company auto insurance carriers guidelines.

Basic computer skills needed in interaction via e-mail and to work with the Company's irrigation software.
Ability to develop specific goals and plans in order to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.

Must be able to work around bees without having an allergic reaction if stung.

Individuals who possess experience in Organic or Sunflowers are encouraged to apply. This job requires a faster than average pace, incumbent will need to adjust quickly to changing conditions; is a persuasive communicator with the ability to coach, teach and motivate a team. There is a strong demand for high quality, organized and repeatable results. High School graduate or equivalent or five years progressively responsible experience in field horticulture supervision.

Salary Range: $50,000 - $70,000 (DOE). This position includes a company vehicle for commuting to and from residence, 40 hours of sick pay + 80 hours of vacation pay, retirement plan, 90% employer paid premium for medical benefits and 100% paid dental and vision for employee; and comes with a great Performance Based Compensation Bonus.

"We are an Equal Opportunity Employer"

Additional Compensation:

Bonuses