Produce Processing Mahiai (Farmer) - Part Time

Organizational Summary:

MA'O Organic Farms (MA'O), located in Lualualei Valley, Waianae, is a social enterprise of the Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation (WCRC), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Established in 2000, MA'O grows organic food and new leaders for a sustainable Hawaii. For the first 18-years in operation MA'O managed 24-acres of certified organic land, now we’ve grown to 280-acres in Lualualei Valley. This new aina presents a huge kuleana – to manage land and water with aloha, and to radically increase the production of nutritious local organic food, while empowering a new generation of leaders to serve Hawaii nei.

Position Summary:

The Produce Processing Mahi'ai is primarily responsible for the post-harvest handling of organic fruits and vegetables, including washing, quality control, sorting, bunching, packaging, labeling, and packing orders for distribution to co-producers.

This role ensures that all produce leaving MA'O Organic Farms consistently meets quality standards, organic certification standards, food safety requirements, and the specifications of our co-producers. Maintaining these standards is essential to delivering high-quality produce and strengthening trust within our community.

The Produce Processing Mahi'ai also supports Saturday Farmers Market operations, including day-before preparation, scheduled attendance, booth set-up and breakdown, customer service, and produce sales.

In addition, this position contributes to the mentoring of youth interns, supporting a safe, clean, and culturally grounded learning environment within the Processing Shed (PShed) and occasionally at the Farmers Market and in the fields.

• Work Location: MA'O Organic Farms, 86-148 Puhawai Rd. Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii 96792
• Schedule: Primarily Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday with occasional evening or weekend hours to support youth programming and operational needs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Processing

• Uphold organic standards, food safety practices, and food quality expectations in all aspects of processing.

• Wash, sort, trim, cut, and prepare produce by hand or with equipment to meet organic, food safety, and co-producer quality standards.

• Accurately bunch, weigh, count, and package produce to order specifications.

• Ensure orders are accurate, loaded into produce bins, correctly labeled, and properly stacked and staged for delivery.

• Maintain daily cleanliness and sanitation of the Processing Shed (PShed), washing machines, equipment, and tools in compliance with food safety standards.

• Monitor product quality during processing and immediately report defects, shortages, or safety concerns to supervisor/manager.

• Communicate product quality issues, shortages, or substitutions to co-producers as directed.

• Safely operate processing equipment, washing machines, pallet jacks, and other tools.

• Complete required logs, counts, and documentation for inventory, food safety, and quality assurance.

• Conduct scheduled deep cleaning and sanitizing of the Processing Shed (PShed), washing machines, coolers, and equipment according to the PShed schedule to maintain compliance with food safety standards.

• Maintain accurate cooler and product temperature logs to meet food safety standards.

• Participate in required food safety and organic certification audits.

Farmers Market

• Assist with day-before and day-of Farmers Market preparation.

• Check vehicles to ensure they are fueled, clean, and in proper working condition.

• Prepare, check, and load tools, supplies, and equipment (e.g., tents, tables, table weights, cash box, toolbox, etc.).

• Ensure tablets, Square card readers, and other point-of-sale tools are fully charged for market use.

• Verify and document cash/change before the market, retrieve it from the safe on the day of the market, and ensure it is secured during transport and use at the market.

• Load produce on the day of the Farmers Market to maintain quality control, and assist with unloading at both the farm and market site.

• Set up and break down the Farmers Market booth safely, efficiently, and in compliance with food safety standards and work safety practices.

• Provide friendly and professional customer service, assist customers with produce selection, and process payments accurately.

• Engage with community members and share knowledge of MA'O’s mission, programs, and produce in a professional and culturally respectful manner.

• Develop knowledge of produce varieties to answer customer questions and recommend alternatives when items are unavailable.

• Ensure safe food handling and product display at the Farmers Market booth (e.g., temperature control, clean display surfaces).

• Uphold MA'O’s standards of food quality, safety, and community representation in a public-facing setting.

• Accurately track and reconcile Farmers Market sales by reviewing and documenting sales cash and change after the market, reconciling cash and card transactions, completing end-of-day sales reports with sales data, and returning and securing all funds in the safe.

Harvest & Production Support

• Support harvest and production teams outdoors when needed.

General Duties & Core Responsibilities

• Uphold organic certification standards, food safety protocols, and food quality expectations in accordance with MA?O Organic Farms’ policies and training.

• Work both collaboratively with a team and independently, as assigned, to support organic farming operations.

• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and safe use of farm vehicles, equipment, tools, and workspaces. Operation of vehicles, machinery, chainsaws, or power tools is performed only as authorized, trained, and licensed (if applicable to assigned duties) and in accordance with safety policies.

• Maintain the cleanliness of shared and collective spaces, which may include break areas, parking lots, restroom facilities or portable restrooms, tool sheds, and surrounding work areas. Assist with managing trash and recyclables in accordance with farm practices.

• Support cross-functional farm operations as assigned, including assisting in different work areas based on operational needs and training.

• Support end-of-day security procedures by ensuring farm tools, equipment, vehicles, tractors, facilities, and gates are properly secured.

• Use digital tools and software, as required and/or provided by the organization, to support communication, coordination, documentation, and operations. This may include email, mobile devices, farm management or scheduling software, point-of-sale tablets, and platforms such as Microsoft products, Google Workspace, Slack, WhatsApp, and the organization’s HRIS.

• Participate in required food safety and organic certification audits, trainings, and inspections, as assigned.

• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with training, safety requirements, and operational needs.

Mentorship & Values

• Model professionalism and provide mentorship and positive reinforcement for youth interns learning in the fields, processing shed, and farmers markets.

• Support the training and evaluation of the farm’s youth interns in production operations.

• Model mutual love, respect, and a willingness to work, thus reinforcing organizational and programmatic policy and values in a positive and formative manner that supports the mission, goals and activities of WCRC and MA'O wherever possible.

Required Experience:

• High School Diploma (some college coursework preferred).

• At least 1 year of experience in agricultural work, food processing, gardening, or related setting.

• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and food safety practices.

• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs and perform repetitive physical tasks safely.

• Valid Hawaii Driver License and responsible driving history required for work-related driving tasks and operational responsibilities, including transporting interns and completing administrative tasks using personal, MA?O, or rental vehicles.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

Ideal candidates will have:

• Two (2) years of experience in agricultural work, food processing, gardening, or related setting.

• Some college coursework or training in agriculture, food systems, or a related field.

• Knowledge of or interest in Hawaiian cultural traditions, with a commitment to Hawaii’s rural communities and the Leeward Oahu region.

• Demonstrates commitment to social justice for Hawaii’s food system.

• Experience mentoring or supporting youth and/or working with diverse communities.

• Familiarity with organic certification standards, food safety protocols, and produce handling.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a sense of humor and adaptability.

Work Environment:

This position is primarily based indoors in the Processing Shed (PShed), where produce is washed, processed, quality-checked, packaged, and prepared for delivery. The role also includes support for outdoor harvest and production activities, as well as Farmers Market operations.Work conditions may include:

• A climate-controlled indoor environment with standard office equipment.

• Moderate noise levels in a generally sedentary work setting.

• Occasional travel to farm sites for meetings or intern support.

• Exposure to outdoor farm environments during events, meetings, or collaborative tasks.

• Occasional driving of personal, farm, or rental vehicles to support interns or complete off-site administrative tasks.

• Managing multiple tasks in a dynamic environment with intermittent distractions and periods of independent work.

• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required for safety and hygiene.

• A fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and collaborative work.

• Regular interaction with youth and interns from diverse backgrounds.

• Use of digital tools (e.g., email, databases, shared drives, Google Workspace, Zoom) to support administrative functions and communication.

• Work performed at a designated desk, shared office, or occasionally in alternative settings such as classrooms, meeting rooms, or farm program areas.

• Access to confidential information, requiring adherence to organizational privacy and data security policies.

• Occasional off-site work, including participation in community events, educational workshops, or partner-led initiatives.

• A variable work schedule based on responsibilities, events, meetings, and operational needs.

• Ability to work extended hours on occasion to meet critical deadlines or support key programs and operations.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 lbs. frequently.

• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, climbing, or reaching.

• Repetitive use of hands and arms for washing, bunching, packing, labeling, and loading produce.

• Safe operation of processing equipment and machinery, as well as farm tools and vehicles (e.g., hand tools, harvest bins, tractors, box trucks) when supporting harvest or market activities.

• Ability to work safely in close proximity with others while maintaining situational awareness.

• Visual and auditory ability to safely operate in a dynamic and labor-intensive environment.

MA'O Organic Farms complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Employment and Compensation:

• Classification: Regular Part-Time (Up to 30 hours/week)

• FLSA Status: Hourly Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

• Range: $18.50 to $21.00 per hourFinal compensation will be based on experience, education, and internal equity.

• Payroll Frequency: Semi-monthly (2x per month)

Benefit Package:

Eligibility may vary based on employment classification (Full-Time or Part-Time) and may be subject to eligibility waiting periods.

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, vision, and drug coverage (HMSA or Kaiser)

• Chiropractic services (included in medical plans)

• Wellness programs (HMSA members)

• Group Term Life and AD&D (HMSA members)

Leave & Holidays

• Paid vacation and sick leave (Full-Time)

• Paid vacation (Part-Time)

• Nine (9) paid holidays (Full-Time)

• Holiday overtime (OT) eligibility (Part-Time)

Additional Benefits

• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care & Dependent Care)

• Employer-sponsored 401(k) (eligible after 6 months)

• Training and professional development opportunities

• Weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription

• Friday snack (weekly)

• ProService Hawaii Perks: Discount Movie Tickets, On Demand Trainings, and Employee Perks

We Welcome Your Application

We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

TO APPLY VIA TEXT: Text PPM to 808-201-2245 to apply for this position.

Mahalo for your interest in contributing to the empowerment of Hawaii’s youth through MA'O Organic Farms.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation (MA'O Organic Farms) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering workplace. We value and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences that each individual brings to our team, striving to create a respectful and equitable environment where everyone can thrive.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.