Orchardist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Anticipate plan and effectuate to facilitate and curate a premier destination orchard and fruit program at Orchard Canyon.

• Oversee daily operations of the orchard including pruning fertilizing watering and pest control.
• Monitor the health of the trees and fruit implementing preventive measures to ensure optimal crop yield.
• Help maintain creekfed milelong irrigation ditch filters and pump system operation.
• Manage the annual orchard budget ordering and repairing tools and supplies.

• Maintain clean physical appearance.
• To ensure all equipment machinery is stored securely and clean after use.
• Continue professional development and training to develop sustainable beautiful and organic operation.
• Ensure all spaces are clean safe and beautiful to the highest standard consistent with resort aesthetics. Ensure sanitation and cleanliness of all cidermaking equipment and workspaces to meet food safety standards.
• Remain uptodate on current orchard practices through industry reading and Agriculture Department resources
• Developing standard of care for all fruit trees on the property and provide training to landscape staff.
• Coordinate with and support the landscape team with fruit trees located outside of the orchard.
• Prune the Orchard to meet the needs of Orchard Canyon. Experience with climbing fruit tree ladders is mandatory.
• Monitor and maintain irrigation of the orchard.
• Maintain and improve soil health.
• Manage orchard and team work to maximize outcomes while protecting and respecting all life.
• Proficiency in handson operation/maintenance of tractors sprayers and other related equipment including a chainsaw.
• Implement pest disease and weed control application and document accordingly.
• Continue to seek out and implement sustainable methods where applicable.
• Lead and participate handson in the harvest of apples and peaches.
• Lead and participate handson in the annual planting of trees in orchards to fill out designated areas as needed.
• Manage the distribution and proper storage of harvest.
• Collect organize and maintain the harvest data.
• Assists with managing our flock of chickens; including daily egg collecting feeding routine coop cleaning care and material restocking.
• Assist with other tasks that may be assigned.
• Conduct orchard tours as requested and interact with the guests at Orchard Canyon that have an interest in our orchard.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to lift and carry heavy loads (e.g. boxes of apples cider kegs). Ability to work flexible hours during peak harvest and production seasons. Frequent standing walking lifting and carrying. Ability to work in varied climates from hot summers to cold winters depending on the season. Expect longer hours during harvest and cider production periods.

Qualifications & Experience:

Applicants should be selfmotivated hardworking eager to learn.

• Degree or certification in agriculture horticulture or related field preferred (or relevant experience.)
• Additional certification or training in cider production is an advantage.
• Familiarity with organic and sustainable farming practices is an advantage.
• Knowledge of apple varieties soil management and tree health.
• All aspects of a cider pressing including sanitation operating a cider press ordering all materials related to the operation and leading a crew during cider pressing season.
• Excellent verbal and written communications giving/receiving direction and presentation of plans/results; listening asking questions building consensus presenting obtaining buyin.
• Excellent team skills including but not limited to; listening coaching guiding flexible working adaptability collaboration and facilitation.
• Excellent planning organizational and resource management/allocation skills with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize manage and complete tasks.
• Mechanical skills to operate orchard and cidermaking equipment.
• Working knowledge and reasonable capabilities in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Oversees the tasks of any full parttime and/or temporary employees working and assisting to maintain the orchards.