Description
Upward Farms designs and operates complete ecosystems of plants and fish in vertical farms, supplying these organic products to local grocers. We are currently expanding, opening a new cutting edge, fully automated facility in Brooklyn. More and larger farms are in the works. Our mission is to heal the broken food system and reconnect eaters with flavorful and nutritious local food.
In this role, you will be responsible for day-to-day operations for our recirculating aquaculture system. The core objective of aquaculture at Upward Farms is the production of fertilizer for our aquaponically grown leafy greens, however fish will also be sold commercially. You will report to an Aquaculture Manager who will assist you in planning and risk mitigation. An Aquaculture Farmer will assist you in daily execution.
Success
Success in this role will mean managing the aquaculture production systems efficiently and as autonomously as is feasible. This includes developing an accurate production plan to serve the business goals, anticipating fish health risks, and quickly and effectively responding to any emergent issues.
Responsibilities
RAS Operations
Manage daily operations of all productions systems in collaboration with other team members.
Monitor water quality and perform regular water chemistry tests.
Maintain filtration equipment on a routine schedule and coordinate necessary repairs to minimize downtime.
Conduct equipment cleanings and environmental monitoring in accordance with sanitation schedule.
Follow all biosecurity procedures for both aquaculture and horticulture operations.
Coordinate fingerling procurement and delivery.
Manage production related activities including fish transfers, grading, and counting.
Coordinate fish processing activities including harvest, packing, and distribution.
Administer the fish health plan and comply with all fish welfare policies.
Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Maintain all related operational logs and records.
Comply with all city, county, state, federal, or private / third party agricultural / industrial, quality assurance, and safety policies.
Be on-call as part of a scheduled rotation across colleagues to address emergencies at the facility during nights or weekends.
Management and Communication
Collaborate with members of Upward Farms’ management team to ensure production objectives and timelines are met.
Assist in development and execution of bio-plan.
Exercise sound judgement, quick problem solving, and fast-paced decision making.
Provide reports for the Aquaculture Manager as needed.
Communicate appropriately as required with NYS Department of Environmental Protection and other regulatory agencies.
Be able to lead and communicate effectively in times of stress and emergency conditions.
Requirements
Must be authorized to work in the USA (i.e. US citizen, permanent resident, or current visa holder with Employment Authorization).
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of 3-4 years working with aquaculture production systems.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong work ethic and detail-oriented.
Effective time management and organizational skills.
Work independently as well as in a team environment.
Proficient computer skills, including experience with Google Suite, Slack.
Must be able to lift materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
Preferred Skills + Experience
Bachelor’s degree in aquaculture, biology, fisheries, marine science or related field.
2-3 years of experience with recirculating aquaculture systems.
Compensation
Annual salary of $60,000 - $80,000, dependent upon experience, plus equity in the company.
Benefits
We offer a dynamic work environment and benefits that include:
Aetna Medical, Aetna and MetLife Dental, and Aetna Vision insurance; FSA/HSA plans; and HIPAA-compliant health advocates. Upward Farms contributes 78-100% of the premium for Medical benefits for employees and their families.
Unlimited paid sick time. For extended illness, we offer short term disability.
10 days paid time off per year, depending on experience, in addition to paid holidays.
For new parents, an extension of New York State’s paid family leave for up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave. This leave is in addition to Disability leave available to pregnant and postpartum mothers.
Commuter benefits, discounted gym memberships, and other perks.
Fresh salad and fish!
Working Here
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our needs are unique and varied so we value colleagues with diverse backgrounds. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and/or protected veteran status.
