Veggie farming, Organic farming

Hiring: Harvest/Pack Manager
Farm: Rootdown Organic Farm
Also hiring: Organic Farm Field Crew

Location: near Pemberton/ Pemberton Meadows & Whistler, BC
Housing: We may be able to connect you with housing options reserved for Rootdown staff but we do not have traditional staff housing (that we manage) available. Staff should be prepared to search for their own housing in the Pemberton area.

NOTE: This position requires a minimum of 1 full season’s experience performing harvest and pack duties on a commercial scale mixed vegetable farm of 1 acre or more. Additionally, any management experience is a great asset to this position.

ABOUT ROOTDOWN ORGANIC FARM

Rootdown Farm is a Certified Organic mixed veggie farm in the beautiful Pemberton Valley that strives for environmental, economic, and social sustainability in all its operations.

Established in 2009, we grow and sell 20+ different types of vegetables within Whistler and Pemberton through various sales channels (wholesale restaurants, grocery stores accounts, and some direct to consumer sales).

We’re committed to a workplace culture of growth, learning, gettin’ stuff done, and fun!

JOB DESCRIPTION — HARVEST/PACK LEAD

Rootdown is a dynamic, fast paced workplace (comparable to working in a kitchen, house cleaning, landscaping, tree planting, or a busy restaurant or cafe). There are daily, weekly, and seasonal deadlines, and work needs to be completed in an efficient and timely manner. We have but a short window every year to grow an abundance of vegetables for our community and ourselves (including our team) to enjoy!

The work at Rootdown varies widely over the course of a farming season. However, all positions will include the following in some capacity:

• Transplanting and weeding field and/or greenhouse crops
• Harvesting and washing a variety of vegetable crops
• Repetitive work of some kind, at some times

The Harvest/Pack Lead would have additional duties focused on leading the harvesting and packing of 20+ mixed vegetable crops such as:

• Packing a variety of mixed vegetable crops for our various sales channels (restaurants, grocery stores, and CSA)
• Demonstrates the ability to meet minimum time targets for bunches/minute of high harvest volume crops, as well as minimum time targets for bagging
• Leading morning harvests in a team setting, adhering to time budgets and motivating the crew to stay on task and work efficiently. Done through role-modeling as well as providing coaching and tips.
• Oversee operations in the Wash/Pack - ensuring correct order packing, quality control, and more - strong attention to detail and ability to move your hands/body quickly is a must, including offering coaching to other staff as needed.
• Ensure harvest and delivery bins get washed on a twice weekly schedule and that pack areas are left neat and tidy at days end.
• Be able to provide constructive feedback in a timely manner and in ways that targets tasks, not individuals.
• Create clear expectations for harvest and pack duties that maintain quality, efficiency and speed.
• Work with management to create a positive work environment and structure for clear expectations.
• Continue to refine and develop improved systems within the harvest/wash/pack realm.

*Please note that this position could be a Harvest Lead only or a Wash/Pack Lead only if the applicant does not have relevant experience in both areas.

Other duties may include, based on experience/interest and the needs of the farm:

• Tray and/or field seeding of vegetable crops
• Watering and managing seedling trays
• Using hand tools such as stirrup hoes, shovels, rakes, etc.
• Using small machinery such as line trimmers, cultivating tractors, and/or small tractors (with prior experience)
• Applying organic fertilizers and/or pest management to fields and greenhouses
• And more!

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILL SETS

Our seasonal farm staff are integral to Rootdown’s success as a farm, and we truly appreciate each and every person who joins us to make our dream of running a successful organic farm a reality!

Farm experience is not necessary, though it is appreciated and preference may be given to those with commercial mixed vegetable farm experience. We have found that individuals with certain qualities tend to do best when working with us. We are looking for folks who:

• Are hard working and kind and are committed to a drama-free workplace
• Have a reliable transportation plan to/from work - the farm is located 13 km up Pemberton Meadows Rd from the Village of Pemberton
• Value and practice good communication skills with management and co-workers, including taking and giving constructive feedback well
• Are excited about growing – and eating! – good, organic veggies!
• Have experience with physical labour and/or work in fast paced industries (landscaping, food service, kitchens, etc.) – this is an asset but not necessary
• Have a healthy body (especially back and knees) and the ability to repeatedly lift 30-40 lbs
• Practice good self care (i.e. getting enough sleep, eating well, staying hydrated, etc.), especially in challenging working conditions (i.e. heat, bugs, cold) so that they can efficiently complete the tasks at hand
• Come to work on time and prepared with appropriate gear (i.e. appropriate footwear, waterproof gear, sunhat, kneepads, snacks, lunches, etc.)
• Have the desire to learn new skills and then improve and get faster (and faster!) at them with practice and coaching from management
• Have the ability to be self motivated – will hustle and work quickly and efficiently to meet deadlines without constant supervision
• Have good attention to detail and/or systems for working in a detail oriented environment
• Can work independently or as part of team to accomplish common goals
• May be interested in multiple seasons with Rootdown, with the option to take on more responsibility (if desired) in subsequent seasons
• Are legally able to work in Canada (or are well on their way) at the time of application. Regretfully, we will not respond to applicants who do not meet this requirement.

Rootdown is committed to being a non-discriminatory workplace, and we encourage folks of all race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation to apply, so long as you feel you possess the qualities above.

COMPENSATION

$21-23/hr, depending on mixed vegetable farming and management experience. Raises are generally given when staff return for subsequent seasons.

Managers returning for multiple seasons may also be eligible for some extended health benefits as well as priority for any staff accommodation.

There is also an end-of-season bonus of $0.25/hour for staff who stay until the end of their agreed upon employment contract.

There are loads of free, organic veggies for staff. B-grades or seconds, or produce harvested on your own time (within reason, and in excess of the farm's needs) is available for free to all farm staff. We farm well so we can eat well, and we want the same for our whole team!

We may be able to connect you with housing options reserved for Rootdown staff but we do not have traditional staff housing (that we manage) available. Staff should be prepared to search for their own housing in the Pemberton area.

There is the opportunity to learn a lot about small-scale organic mixed vegetable farming while working at Rootdown. We are committed to developing the skills of our employees, and providing a rewarding experience that gives a realistic look at what it’s like to run a mixed vegetable operation. This is invaluable experience for those who are interested in starting their own farms one day, or who want to pursue a career elsewhere in agriculture!

HOW TO APPLY

Interested folks should send their resume, including 2-3 references, and cover letter (can also be included in the body of an email) to the farm’s manager, Ariella, at admin@rootdownfarm.net . Please clearly indicate in your application:

• If you are looking for full time or part time work
• Your preferred start and end dates
• What your transportation plan is to get to and from work (i.e. you have a car, you would be looking to carpool with co-workers, you are an avid bicycle commuter, etc)
• If you are a Canadian citizen and under 30 years of age (not required, but some of our positions are eligible for funding with these requirements)
• If you are not a Canadian citizen, please tell us where you are at in your work Visa application
• Please let us know why you want to work with us!
• Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.

We will begin interviews for this position in early January, 2026, and will interview qualified candidate on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early for the best chance of success!

We look forward to hearing from you!

-Simone and Ariella