Kaicycle Chair
Kaicycle is looking for a new Chair to lead our Governance Group as we continue to grow and evolve. This is a voluntary role. For further information and the position how to apply please see the Chair role description.
Community Farm Manager
Hours: 30 hrs/week (negotiable)
Salary: $64,350 per annum (prorated)
Location: Kaicycle Urban Farm at 5 Hospital Road, Newtown, Wellington.
Start date: From 29th April (negotiable)
Other perks: surplus farm produce
Background information
Kaicycle is a community urban farm and composting project. We are a not for profit organisation with a small team of nine (mostly part-time) staff and many volunteers. We are on public land and have an open gate policy to visitors and volunteers. Education and research takes place in various forms on the farm too. We are in the process of becoming a verified Hua Parakore grower and this framework underpins all the mahi we do.
Our goal is to show how urban farming can activate community spaces, demonstrate climate action, and localise food systems in our city. We believe reclaiming control of our kai and creating sustainable models of working has transformational power for communities. We want to see regenerative urban farms and compost hubs in every suburb of Te Whanganui-a-tara! Our urban māra kai is approximately 600 sqm, with 2 polytunnels. Our site has town supply water, and has no power. We use no machinery, only hand tools and growing techniques that rely on people power. We grow a very diverse range of vegetables which are distributed back into our local community and to our volunteers. Our farm hosts a regular range of group visits from schools to business team experiences. We hold three well-attended volunteer sessions each week as well as a community working bee once a month.
The Urban Farm currently operates on financial grants from Wellington City Council and other funders, and is working towards sustainable income generation. This is part of the ongoing activities at Kaicycle, and the Community Farm Manager is required to be supportive of the overall aims and objectives of current grant funders.
SKILLS
Essential skills/qualities/experience
regenerative horticulture skills, knowledge and practical experience
highly self-motivated and self-managing
good time management, project management and organisational skills
sociable/extroverted, comfortable addressing large groups of people
fit, and strong and enjoys working in the outdoors! The job includes working in a range of weather conditions including rain, cold, heat and wind.
adaptable, comfortable working with complexity, ambiguity, and managing many things at once
volunteer management experience, ideally with health and safety experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable skills
experience in facilitation/ education with diverse communities, including workshop design and delivery
understanding of te reo Māori me ōnā tikanga and a commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi
comprehensive awareness of soil health, fertility needs, seasonality, pest problems
writing funding applications and reports
events management
first aid
Practical and good at problem solving
Marketing and knowledge of social media
Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, de-escalation, and conflict resolution.
Governance experience.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
There are two Community Farm Managers, each at 30 hours per week that work very closely together to undertake the mahi. There will be some flexibility as to how the tasks and responsibilities are divided between the two people in the roles. This role will require occasional work on weekends for workshops and events (approx. monthly).
The Community Farm Manager is a busy, varied role with responsibility for planning and maintaining the farm as well as delivering Kaicycle’s education programmes, community outreach and events, and weekly public volunteer sessions. The Community Farm Managers are responsible for the health and safety of farm volunteers and visitors. They contribute to fundraising efforts, developing goals and plans, and record-keeping and reporting. Community Farm Managers participate in wider Kaicycle operations and both have a position in the Governance Group. Each of these aspects is detailed below.
Education programmes
Kaicycle offers many opportunities for people to grow their skills and knowledge of regenerative kai growing and composting. Core components of our education programme include:
Public volunteer sessions 8 hours/ week
Hosting educational group visits and Team Experiences on the farm.
Designing and facilitating workshops. These may be on or off farm when we are contracted to do so.
Community outreach & events
Kaicycle is a place for everyone. We work to connect people to our farm, and aim to support other composting and growing projects in the region. The community outreach components of this role include:
Responding to emails and enquiries from the public
Attending local and regional networking events to help Kaicycle stay connected with the sector
Hosting seasonal public events to help connect more people to the farm and showcase what we do
Collaborating on collective events aligned to Kaicycle’s kaupapa
Supporting the writing of the monthly newsletter and managing Kaicycle’s social media accounts
Developing relationships and pursuing opportunities to collaborate with other aligned groups/orgs in Wellington. Previous collaborations include research, photo shoots, student films etc.
Farm Mahi
Manage the day-to-day operations of Kaicycle’s māra kai, including seedling production and greenhouse management, regenerative weed management, soil preparation, pest and disease monitoring, compost application, and irrigation.
Managing infrastructure including maintenance and inventory of materials
Integrating Hua Parakore principles into the farm as part of our Hua Parakore verification process
Working in the garden using regenerative, biology-first, and Hua Parakore growing methods to produce kai for our community.
Planning, planting, and maintaining the garden.
Overseeing the weekly donation of kai to the Home of Compassion Soup Kitchen and Newtown Community Centre.
Health and safety
The Community Farm Managers are responsible for the safety of all volunteers and visitors at the farm. This includes providing comprehensive health and safety inductions for new visitors, emergency information management, reporting and record keeping.
Financial management and fundraising
The Community Farm Managers, with support from the Governance Group, create and manage the budget and develop income streams. They generate income through the delivery of workshops, team experiences, the Farm Whanau membership scheme, the sale of produce at events, as well as pursuing grants and sponsorship. The Community Farm Manager will help Kaicycle maintain positive relationships with our funders and supporters, and contribute to fund reporting requirements.
Wider Kaicycle operations and governance
The Community Farm Manager actively participates in Kaicycle operations meetings (three-weekly) and Governance Group meetings (bi-monthly) and contributes to furthering Kaicycle initiatives and goals.
How to apply
Please send a CV and covering letter to Carol Bourn
For further information contact Carol 022 694-3260
Applications close 5pm Friday 11 April.
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