Operations Farm Manager

Position Overview

Kaʻala Farm is seeking an Operations Manager who lives the values of mālama ʻāina and aloha and will help lead the daily care of our ʻāina in Waiʻanae Valley.

This role has three priorities, in this order:

• Pilina: Build and care for strong, lasting relationships with our staff, kūpuna, community, schools, and partners.
• ʻAuwai and irrigation: Upgrade and maintain the ʻauwai (waterways) and irrigation systems that feed our loʻi and māla.
• A fruitful ʻāina: Keep the loʻi, māla, and native plantings healthy and productive.

This position is part of a planned leadership transition. The Operations Manager will take on field leadership from our Executive Director in stages and help raise up the next generation of servant leaders. We value experience, cultural respect, and willingness to learn. A college degree is not required.

About the Place

Kaʻala Farm is not a typical farm. The work here is steady but irregular. Candidates should understand these realities:

• Historic wahi pana: Many improvements must follow State Historic Preservation requirements.
• Fully off-grid: There is no utility power and no potable water. Stream water is not safe for produce eaten raw.
• Difficult terrain: Much of the ʻāina is rock and cliff, with little flat, easily accessible land.
• Fire and flood risk: The farm requires constant preparation for wildfire and flooding.
• A community with deep history: Many of the people we serve carry generational trauma. This work calls for patience, steadiness, and clear boundaries.

Key Kuleana

1. Pilina: Relationships & Community

• Build trusting relationships with kūpuna, cultural practitioners, ʻohana, neighbors, and the Waiʻanae community.
• Welcome and coordinate school groups, volunteers, interns, and visitors with aloha.
• Maintain strong working relationships with partners, funders, agencies, and fellow ʻāina-based organizations.
• Represent Kaʻala Farm with humility and respect, and keep leadership informed of community concerns.
• Work closely with cultural practitioners so operations support ʻike kūpuna.

2. ʻAuwai & Irrigation

• Assess the condition of the ʻauwai, diversions, and irrigation lines, and set priorities for repair and upgrade.
• Lead routine maintenance, including clearing, repairing, and managing water flow to the loʻi and māla.
• Plan and oversee upgrade projects with engineers, contractors, and volunteers.
• Follow State water-use and historic preservation requirements, working with leadership on reviews and approvals.
• Help leadership identify funding for water system improvements and report on progress.

3. A Fruitful ʻĀina

• Oversee the care of loʻi kalo, māla, canoe plants, and native plant restoration areas.
• Plan planting, harvest, and maintenance calendars.
• Build soil health through composting, mulching, and good field practices.
• Support nursery work to grow our own native and canoe plants.
• Track what is planted and harvested so we can share our results.

4. Staff & Volunteer Leadership

• Supervise and support farm staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Organize daily and weekly work based on farm priorities, and follow up on assigned work.
• Lead with aloha: stay calm under pressure, set clear expectations, and treat people with dignity.
• Help staff grow their skills, confidence, and leadership.

5. Safety, Tools & Emergency Response

• Make safety part of everyday work, and train staff before they use equipment or do hazardous work.
• Keep tools, vehicles, and equipment in working order, and purchase supplies within approved budgets.
• Help coordinate the farm's response to fire, flooding, water interruptions, and road damage.
• Report security concerns to leadership.

6. Leadership Transition

• Work alongside the Executive Director and take on field leadership in stages.
• Mentor emerging leaders so responsibilities are shared across a strong team.

What We're Looking For

• Shares Kaʻala Farm's values of mālama ʻāina and aloha.
• Builds pilina naturally and puts relationships near the top of every day's work.
• Has hands-on experience with water systems, irrigation, or ʻauwai.
• Has experience growing food or caring for land: loʻi kalo, agriculture, conservation, or restoration.
• Has experience leading people, including staff, volunteers, or youth.
• Is a servant leader, motivated by kuleana rather than title or recognition.
• Stays steady when plans change, and can set clear boundaries with respect.
• Respects Hawaiian culture and ʻike kūpuna, and is willing to learn Kaʻala Farm's practices.
• Can perform the physical work of the position, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.
• Has a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to the farm.

Helpful, but not required

Loʻi kalo ʻauwai restoration irrigation design native plant propagation nursery work off-grid water systems wildfire mitigation ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi working with youth and school groups community-based nonprofits.

What Matters to Us

At Kaʻala Farm, how the work is done matters as much as getting the work done. The Operations Manager should show mālama ʻāina, aloha, pilina, respect, accountability, and kuleana. Kaʻala Farm is more than a worksite. It is a place where ʻāina, culture, community, and ʻike are cared for and passed forward.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person