Orchard Crew Supervisor

6 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

McDougal Orchards is a diversified, eighth generation family farm in Southern Maine. We specialize in growing high quality apples for pick-your-own customers and our farm store. You can find us a mile from downtown Sanford and close to the beaches and lakes of York County.

We grow over 40 varieties of apples on approx. 14 acres as well as some peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sweet and sour cherries and fall raspberries. We also grow a variety of winter squashes and pumpkins, a corn maze and flowers.

In early/mid August we open for u-pick apples and peaches. We sell hand picked fruit and vegetables in our farm store along with other local products, our own sweet apple cider and Capt. Jack’s famous apple cider donuts. We run wagon rides on the weekends and during the week for school tours.

We are looking for someone who has a passion for agriculture and horticulture with an interest in receiving hands-on experience at a small local orchard and vegetable growing operation. Some background in fruit trees and/or horticulture is preferred.

This position is as described in the title, to supervise the seasonal work crew February-November in completing daily and ongoing tasks specified on worklists and by the Orchard Manager/Operations manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work directly under the Orchard Manager
• Supervise the orchard crew
• Pruning apple trees per instruction
• Planting and training of fruit trees. Hand thin fruit trees to ensure maximum crop
• Harvesting of fruit trees. Assist with vegetable production (planting, harvesting)
• Grounds management

Experience and Skills:

• Ability to learn tree training techniques, perform pruning and harvesting tasks
• Strong interest in the horticulture field and desire to learn
• Ability to do basic handyman tasks around the farm
• Strong work ethic
• Flexibility, in terms of scheduled work
• Commitment to our vision and teamwork philosophy
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on a regular and continuing basis
• Work in all weather conditions
• Standing for long periods of time

Preferred Qualifications (not necessary):

• Experience operating chainsaws
• Formal education in Horticulture or Ag Related Field (or equivalent experience)
• Ag Basic Pesticide Applicator’s license
• Experience operating tractors and forklift
• Experience working with fruit tree or vegetable production

Additional Job Details:

• Full time seasonal. February through mid-November, most years. Flexible hours
• Most weeks average 40 hours/week
• Exact schedule may vary by season, usually 7:30am to 4:00pm M-F with a half hour for lunch and two 15 minute breaks
• Weekend/holiday/or evening hours may be required based on weather, spray schedule or during harvest season

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Farming: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Springvale, ME 04083 (Required)

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Management and Manufacturing
• Industries:
  Farming