Cellar and Orchard Assistant

Cellar and Orchard Assistant 35-40 hours/week

About Seminary Hill: This is a full-time position, as part of a small team creating excellent orchard-driven cider at a thriving multifaceted cidery in the beautiful Catskills. Seminary Hill also includes a certified organic orchard, full farm to table menu in the tasting room, a boutique hotel, and an event venue.

This is an opportunity to develop a broad range of cellar and orchard skills for those looking to work in the cider/wine industry. Work changes seasonally and will include a combination of indoor (cellar) and outdoor (orchard) work. The ideal candidate will also have the ability and skills to sell cider and represent Seminary Hill at the local farmers market.

Duties

Cellar duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lots of cleaning: tanks, hoses, equipment, the cellar itself
• Assisting with general cellar tasks such as bottling, labeling, kegging, pressing, etc.
• Lab testing
• Occasionally long days of bottling or pressing are required
• Operating a forklift (incl. getting certified here)

Orchard Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Mowing, pruning, harvesting, and general orchard maintenance
• Orchard spraying
• Cutting firewood
• General facilities and grounds maintenance including cleaning up storm damage and working at offsite locations

Farmers Market Duties:

• Setting up the stall (8x8ft tent, cider, table with table settings)
• Charismatic attitude, excited and ready to talk about Seminary Hill in general and our Cider (after being trained)
• Pour small 1oz tastings for farmers market customers

Skills Desired

• Work in a positive collaborative fashion in a wide variety of tasks
• Flexibility and willingness to pitch in where needed on various aspects of the business
• Follow detailed protocols without constant supervision (once trained)
• Remain productive without constant supervision
• Remain vigilant for product quality (constantly avoiding contamination, oxygen exposure, spillage, etc…)
• Work together with others or solo depending on the task
• Ability to keep clear and detailed records
• Remain alert to worker safety (oneself and others) around heavy objects, electricity, water, heavy equipment, sharp equipment, hazardous chemicals, concentrated gases, heights, wet hard floors, very hot water, etc…
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs and stack full cases
• Some experience with mechanical maintenance is a plus, but not essential
• Work Ethic + Interest/passion are more important than experience

Other Requirements: Applicants must have a valid drivers license. Availability for at least one weekend day.

Compensation and Benefits: $18 – $21/hour depending on experience. Two weeks paid vacation in the first full calendar year after starting, and three weeks paid vacation in the second full calendar year after starting. Paid sick time in accordance with NY State law and regulations.

Schedule: Sunday-Thursday,

CONTACT

Bill Hess – Director of Facilities and Orchard Operations
Email: [email protected]

Joshua Hinchman – Head Cider Maker
Email: [email protected]

Business Phone:  845-887-4056
Location: 43 Wagner Ln. Callicoon, NY

If interested, please send an email and short description of your previous work experience or resumé to one of the contacts listed above.