Farm Operations Manager at Willow-Witt Ranch

Willow-Witt Ranch is a 445-acre gem in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument near Ashland, Oregon. It is home to a small, diversified organic farm, campground, farm stay accommodations, restored wetlands, working forests, and The Forest Conservation Burial Ground.

Operations Manager Position Summary

We are seeking a solution-oriented leader, strategist, facilitator and experienced organic farmer as our next Farm Operations Manager at Willow-Witt Ranch. The Operations Manager is a key leader responsible for guiding the physical operations of the ranch and The Forest Conservation Burial Ground. Reporting directly to the Business Manager and Owner while collaborating closely with other staff, the Operations Manager ensures that all aspects of the ranch and burial ground function efficiently and align with the property’s conservation and stewardship goals. This role requires a hands-on approach to farm management, land stewardship, facilities maintenance, cemetery operations, hospitality, and staff training and supervision.

STATUS: Hourly, Non exempt

COMPENSATION: Starting at $24.00/hr DOE

REPORTS TO: Business Manager & Owner

SCHEDULE: Full Time - evening and weekend hours required.

RESIDENCE: On-Site Residence negotiable

To apply, Read below thoroughly and send short cover letter and resumé to info@willowwittranch.com

Core accountabilities

Farm Management

• Oversee the diverse small-scale organic farm, including livestock and vegetable production.
• Ensure the health and well-being of all animals, coordinating with veterinarians as necessary.
• Maintain accurate records related to farm operations, including livestock health and crop production.
• Responsible for overseeing and maintaining organic certification across livestock and produce.
• Daily chores and care of animals; feeding all animals, milking goats, collecting eggs, administering medications, keeping animal records, ear-tagging, hoof trimming, breeding, milking and milk storage tasks, coordinating with owner and veterinarian as needed
• Garden work includes annual planning, weeding, seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and processing produce, and keeping organic records.

Staff Supervision

• Train staff to be proficient and safe in all aspects of their work, promoting a culture of efficiency and safety.
• Work with the business manager, owner, and sexton to prioritize farm hand workloads and knowledge transfer across staff with differing schedules.
• Delegate tasks accordingly, support team collaboration in finding efficient solutions.
• Work with the business manager to hire staff, generate staff schedules, manage time-off requests, and ensure accurate timekeeping.
• Conduct regular performance reviews of direct reports in collaboration with the Business Manager.

Facilities and Grounds Management

• Manage all ranch facilities, coordinating regular maintenance, upkeep, and improvement projects.
• Guide the safe and responsible operation and maintenance of all utility systems at Willow-Witt Ranch including: water, plumbing, solar and generator systems; appliances, wood burning stoves, waste management and disposal systems including trash, recycling and composting.
• Oversee maintenance of fire and first-aid safety systems including fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and wood stoves.
• Oversee annual campground wall tent assembly and takedown.
• Light vehicle maintenance and repair
• Road maintenance, snow removal (plowing, blowing, shoveling)

Hospitality

• Greet, welcome and orient guests, answer guests’ questions about the property, facilities, and nearby attractions.
• Train Farm Hand staff how to interface with guests to ensure a high-quality experience during their stay.
• Oversee site rentals, special event setup and breakdown procedures and tasks.
• Ensure that all accommodations are clean, well-maintained, and fully operational, performing repairs as needed.

Cemetery Operations

• Collaborate with the Sexton to schedule all burial ground activities including burials, groundskeeping and maintenance.
• Guide staff in all aspects of the green burial process. This includes placing and locating plot markers, digging graves, attending burials, refilling graves, placing engraved survey markers, headstones, etc.
• Oversee grounds maintenance and forestry work related to the cemetery.
• Monitor premises for needed repairs
• Maintenance and upkeep of facilities and machinery

Land Stewardship

• Facilitate the maintenance and improvements of the ranch’s trails, forests, wetlands, roads, and fencing.
• Work with our forest managers and other experts to develop and execute land management plans that enhance conservation efforts.
• Forestry and landscape work including trail work, burn pile assemblance, burning and maintenance, fencing repair.

Requirements

• Proven experience in organic farm/ranch operations and management or equivalent experience.
• Experience in managing a team effectively with strong leadership skills.
• Animal care experience. (We have goats, chickens, ducks, geese, livestock guard dogs, and barn cats)
• Sustainable and organic farming experience.
• Environmental education and land stewardship experience is a plus
• Experience with carpentry, plumbing, electrical or other facilities maintenance skills.
• Proven chainsaw experience. (Certifications a plus)
• Excellent communication skills: Comfortable working with a wide variety of people and situations including vendors, farm stay guests and young children. A background check will be required.
• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs and perform strenuous outdoor tasks related to ranch maintenance.
• Willingness to do what it takes to perform emergency repairs when needed. Creativity and flexibility in finding and implementing solutions with facilities and maintenance challenges.
• Flexibility to provide on-duty coverage on weekends and/or evenings on rotational basis (or with other days off, as needed and arranged.)
• Ability to work in a ranch environment, outside in the elements year round.
• Computer literacy (email, scheduling programs, CRMs, etc)
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and a reliable vehicle for driving on mountainroads approximately 30 minutes from Ashland. AWD/4WD may be needed in winters.

Additional Information

• This position requires weekend and evening work. This is a full-time position
• Begins as soon as possible and is year round.
• Covered by Workers Compensation Insurance
• Non-exempt employee, accrues overtime for any time worked beyond 40 hours in a work week.
• A predictable and regular work schedule is expected, with exceptions for burials, special events, or staff support, which may involve occasional weekend or evening work.
• Willow-Witt Ranch is a non-smoking/non-vaping property and a drug-free workplace

Benefits

• Up-To 40 Hours of Paid Sick Time accrued annually
• Up-To 48 Hours of Paid Time Off accrued annually
• 401k available after 6-months of employment. Employee contributions vested after two years’ employment.
• Gratis Willow-Witt Ranch/ The Forest Conservation Burial Ground burial plot granted after three years of employment.
• Weekly allotment of fresh eggs, milk and produce when available
• Friends and Family discounts on Willow-Witt Ranch accommodations
• This position does not include health insurance coverage.

To apply: Send short cover letter and resumé to info@willowwittranch.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Willow-Witt Ranch provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Willow-Witt Ranch complies with all applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.