Field Crew Leader

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT ECHO
ECHO is a global Christian agricultural networking, training, and resourcing organization. Our mission is to strengthen the capacity of a diverse global network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies. ECHO has a significant network of over 20,000 individuals and organizations built over 45 years working in more than 190 countries. These partners serve as the primary multiplier for ECHO tested options, strategies, and research.

WHY JOIN ECHO
At ECHO, you will join a global Christian network committed to defeating hunger and restoring hope through sustainable agriculture. Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and deeply committed to equipping leaders around the world with practical tools that create lasting impact. If you are passionate about faith-integrated service and sustainable solutions, you will find meaningful purpose in this role.

SUMMARY:
The Field Crew Leader leads the daily agricultural operations of ECHO's Florida campus. This position supervises Field Technicians and ensures that all landscape areas (demonstration fields, gardens, production areas, irrigation systems, etc.) are maintained safely, effectively, and with excellence. The Field Crew Leader Manager develops seasonal and weekly work plans, coordinates crop and field priorities, and supports ECHO's research, seed banking, training, tours, events, and global mission through well-managed agricultural spaces.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Field Operations:

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily agricultural work across demonstration fields, gardens, production areas, orchards, and related outdoor spaces.
• Develop seasonal planting, crop rotation, soil fertility, irrigation, pest management, harvest, and field maintenance plans.
• Monitor crop health, soil conditions, irrigation performance, weeds, pests, diseases, and weather-related risks, and respond appropriately.
• Oversee livestock systems on the farm, ensuring animals are well cared for, purposefully integrated, and serve as an important demonstration of ECHO’s best management practices.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement freeze protection strategies
• Maintain field areas as safe, accurate, attractive, and useful demonstrations of practices relevant to small-scale agriculture and the ECHO network.
• Coordinate harvest, recordkeeping, produce use, and distribution according to ECHO policies and priorities.

Staff Leadership:

• Directly supervise Field Technicians and provide clear daily and weekly work assignments.
• Train, coach, and support Field Technicians in agricultural practices, safe equipment use, quality standards, and efficient work methods.
• Conduct regular check-ins, provide performance feedback, and contribute to formal performance evaluations.
• Organize staffing and schedules to meet seasonal demands, special projects, tours, events, and weather-related needs.

Demonstration and Visitor Readiness:

• Ensure field demonstrations are clearly maintained, accurately represented, and ready for visitors, tours, workshops, donor engagements, and special events.
• Coordinate with Global Farm Tours, Advancement, Research, Seed Bank, and other teams when field areas are needed for educational or engagement purposes.
• Support installation, improvement, and seasonal renewal of demonstration plots and interpretive agricultural areas.
• Provide practical agricultural information to staff, volunteers, and visitors when appropriate.
• Lead tours and engage donors weekly.

Equipment, Supplies, and Infrastructure:

• Coordinate repairs and preventative maintenance with the Buildings and Maintenance team.
• Maintain appropriate inventories of seeds, soil amendments, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation parts, tools, and supplies.
• Identify equipment and supply needs, obtain cost information, and submit recommendations to the Site Manager.
• Coordinate with the Site Manager and Facilities Manager on irrigation infrastructure, drainage, roads, freeze protection, storm preparation, and major field projects.

Safety and Compliance:

• Ensure field work follows ECHO safety policies, federal Worker Protection Standards, and applicable agricultural regulations.
• Maintain required pesticide applicator and related certifications, when assigned, and ensure proper chemical storage, records, application, and worker protection.
• Train Field Technicians and other authorized workers in safe work practices, personal protective equipment, equipment operation, and weather precautions.
• Maintain accurate field, application, harvest, and operational records as required.
• Identify hazards promptly and coordinate corrective action with the Site Manager.

Planning and Collaboration:

• Develop weekly work plans and communicate progress, challenges, resource needs, and recommended priorities to the Site Manager.
• Contribute to annual field budgets, purchasing plans, project estimates, and operational reporting.
• Coordinate appropriately with volunteers and work teams assigned to agricultural projects.
• Collaborate with Research, Seed Bank, Global Farm Tours, Advancement, and other departments to support shared goals without compromising field safety.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Site Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Must adhere to the ECHO Statement of Faith and possess character traits consistent with ECHO's Core Values.
• Training and practical experience in horticulture, agronomy, tropical agriculture, crop production, or a related field.
• Ability to make sound decisions regarding planting, irrigation, soil fertility, pest and disease management, harvest, and seasonal field priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise employees, organize daily work, delegate tasks, and maintain clear standards.
• Ability to operate and oversee the safe use of common agricultural tools, machinery, irrigation systems, and equipment.
• Strong planning, communication, recordkeeping, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and visitors while maintaining responsibility for field operations.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor degree in horticulture, agriculture, plant science, natural resources, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Three or more years of practical agricultural or horticultural experience, including responsibility for crop or field operations.
• Previous experience supervising employees, coordinating work crews, or leading agricultural projects is preferred.
• Experience with tropical or subtropical agriculture, demonstration farming, agricultural education, or small-scale farming systems is preferred.
• Eagerness to educate visitors about ECHO’s mission and agricultural topics that relate to ECHO’s global work.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Positions Directly Supervised:
Field Technicians.

Others to Work Closely With:
Site Manager, Facilities Manager, Research, Seed Bank, Global Farm Tours, Advancement, Human Resources, volunteers, and other Florida site staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily outdoors in agricultural fields and gardens, with some office, shop, greenhouse, and storage-area responsibilities. The position requires work in hot, humid, rainy, and changing Florida weather conditions. Exposure to sun, dust, insects, noise, machinery, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals may occur when appropriate safety procedures are followed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The employee must regularly walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and work on uneven terrain. The employee will operate agricultural machinery and tools and may apply agricultural chemicals in accordance with law and ECHO policy. The employee must be able to lift, pull, and push moderate to heavy amounts of weight, occasionally 50 to 80 pounds, following appropriate safety procedures. The employee may also be required to climb ladders and work for extended periods outdoors.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position. Regular hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Seasonal, weather-related, harvest, irrigation, event, or emergency needs may require occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work.

TRAVEL:
Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional domestic or international travel may be available to strengthen agricultural knowledge, support ECHO projects, or learn from other ECHO locations and network members.

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Compensation commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Company-matched 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off, 12 paid holidays, 5 wellness days, plus paid birthday leave

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.

In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization and is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO hiring practices are in compliance with federal and state law. Federal law permits religious organizations to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.

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