Apprentice - Driver & Support Specialist Bonton Farms-Bexar

Apprentice - Driver & Support Specialist

Full Time • Bonton Farms-Bexar

What started as a small garden in a vacant lot in this little inner-city neighborhood, quickly turned into the City of Dallas’ first urban farm. The original farm is 1.25 acres boldly situated in the South Dallas community of Bonton, an area ravaged by generational poverty, crime, and classified by the USDA as a food desert. In 2016, a local family, the Treffingers, were inspired by the mission of Bonton Farms and generously donated 20 acres of land located about 10 miles from the original farm. They loved it so much that when another 20 acre plot adjacent to the original one became available, they purchased it and donated it for further expansion of Bonton Farms. That 40 acre site is what we call "The Bonton Farms Extension". It happens to be one of the largest urban farms in the Unites States. In this unlikely setting, we are cultivating a sustainable and vibrant urban farm with the mission to restore lives, create jobs and ignite hope.

APPRENTICE

Seedtime to Harvest Apprenticeship

At Bonton Farms, the Seedtime to Harvest Apprenticeship engages an individual in the process of acquiring new skills that lead to greater self-actualization and workforce development. Each Apprentice’s journey will begin by working on the farm as a Farming Apprentice. We believe starting as a Farming Apprentice can help develop a wide range of transferable skillsets that are applicable to various professional industries beyond agriculture, and offers numerous benefits, which support the organization’s mission and core values, including:

  • Hands-on Learning
  • Problem Solving
  • Time Management
  • Real-World Experience
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Attention to Detail
  • Adaptability
  • Skill Development
  • Leadership
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Mentorship / Guidance
  • Personal and Professional Growth

The Bonton Farms Seedtime and Harvest Apprenticeship Program is a peer driven program designed to achieve self-actualization. The Program endorses a relational, transformative, person-centered approach to empower, educate, and equip on the (7) Human Essentials, which are based on the social determinants of health and their workforce development needs. 

The (7) Human Essentials are Transportation, Education, Access to Financial Tools, Community, Health & Wellness, Economic Stability, and Safe and Affordable Housing (T.E.A.C.H.E.S.). Bonton Farms uses the acronym, T.E.A.C.H.E.S., as a convenient and effective way to streamline our communication, enhance clarity, and facilitate memory recall regarding the importance of the Human Essentials. Apprentices will be exposed and educated on these concepts through a classroom type of environment in which they attend several times a week. 

Here are three concepts to the Apprenticeship Program important for you to know:

Self-actualization is a concept that refers to the realization or fulfillment of your potential, talents, and abilities. It represents the desire to become the most that you can be, and to achieve personal growth and fulfillment. 

Social determinants of health are the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence an individual’s health outcomes and overall well-being. These factors include socioeconomic status, education, employment, housing, access to healthcare, social support networks, and environmental conditions. Understanding and addressing social determinants of health are crucial for promoting health equity and improving population health. 

Workforce development refers to the systematic process of preparing you to enter, succeed in, and advance within the labor market by providing you with the education, training, skills, and support needed to meet the demands of employers and contribute effectively to the economy. 

Program Eligibility: 

  • Apprentices will go through several evaluations to determine eligibility.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age (Age of Majority).
  • Must have demonstrated abstinence from illicit substance use.
  • Applicants with a substance use history must present proof of sobriety for a minimum of 30 days and/or a certificate of completion from a treatment program.
  • Must demonstrate a voluntary willingness to work well with others and subordinate to peer coaching and mentoring relationships.
  • Must strive to possess a growth mindset (believing that you can improve with optimal and intentional effort, hard work, and persistence).
  • Must not have any history with committing a sex offense.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs., bend, walk, and stand for long periods in all seasons of the year.
The Apprenticeship Program is not an intervention. We give Apprentices the opportunity to practice what they are learning on the job, as well as the grace to fail forward.

 Program benefits based upon need:

  • Financial Wellness Program
  • Sense of Community & Belonging
  • Build Workforce & Industry Partnerships
  • Opportunities to Acquire & Develop Workforce Skills Mentorship & Peer Support
  • Subsidized Housing
  • Access to Mental Health Service
  • Support with Personal & Professional Goal Development
  • Assistance with Transportation
  • Benevolence
  • Meal assistance – one a day
Overview of Role:
The Driver & Support Specialist will primarily be responsible for transporting employees between various locations throughout the workday. In addition to driving duties, the role will involve assisting with routine maintenance and supporting farm activities. The ideal candidate will be reliable, proactive, and adaptable, with a strong commitment to contributing to the organization’s mission.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Driving Duties:
    • Safely transport employees between designated locations in a timely manner.
    • Ensure the vehicle is in good working condition, conducting routine inspections and reporting any issues.
    • Adhere to all traffic laws and safety regulations.
    • Maintain a clean and organized vehicle interior.

  • Maintenance Support:
    • Assist with routine maintenance tasks, including basic repairs and upkeep of facilities.
    • Collaborate with maintenance staff to identify and address any issues that arise.
    • Ensure that all maintenance activities are performed in a safe and efficient manner.

  • Farm Support Activities:
    • Provide assistance with various farm-related tasks, such as planting, harvesting, and general farm upkeep.
    • Operate farm equipment as needed and follow safety protocols.
    • Assist with inventory management and supplies related to farm operations.

  • Additional Tasks:
    • Support other operational needs of the organization as required.
    • Participate in team meetings and contribute to planning and execution of organizational activities.
    • Perform any other duties assigned by supervisors to support the mission of the organization.
Qualifications:

  • Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
  • Proven experience in a driving or transportation role.
  • Basic mechanical knowledge and experience with maintenance tasks preferred.
  • Ability to operate farm equipment safely and effectively.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Flexibility to adapt to varying tasks and responsibilities.
Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to lift and carry up to 40lbs pounds.
  • Comfort with working in various weather conditions and environments.
  • Capability to perform manual tasks associated with farm and maintenance activities.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.





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U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Information (Completion is voluntary)

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

You are being given the opportunity to provide the following information in order to help us comply with federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action record keeping, reporting, and other legal requirements.

Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.