Kitchen Garden Steward

About Enso Village
Enso Village is a Zen-inspired community with a focus on mindful aging, the joys of nature, sustainability and contemplative life and care for adults 60+. Enso Village is a collaborative endeavor between the Kendal Corporation—an esteemed, nationally recognized leader in senior living guided by the Quaker values of its founders—and the San Francisco Zen Center, one of the first Zen Buddhist organizations in the US, founded by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.

Enso Village is informed by a set of nine Guiding Principles. These are based on the awareness that we are all connected. We share a commitment to compassion and strive to pay careful attention to the details of everyday life.

As America’s first and only Zen-inspired senior living community, Enso Village is a workplace like no other place you have ever worked. Here, our staff and residents engage fully and form close and meaningful relationships. We seek to uphold our professionalism and our humanity in equal measure. We listen with open minds and hearts. We learn something meaningful from every person and every experience. Sustaining others is what sustains us.

The Role

The Kitchen Garden Steward supports the daily operations of the Kitchen Garden and Farm at Enso Village. This role plays a key part in advancing the organization’s farm-to-table program by assisting in the production of fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers that support the culinary experience and overall wellbeing of residents.

Working under the direction of the Kitchen Garden Manager, the Steward contributes to regenerative and sustainable farming practices while maintaining the garden, surrounding landscape, and farm systems to ensure consistent, high-quality yields.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with soil preparation, cultivation, and bed maintenance
• Perform planting activities, including direct seeding and transplanting
• Set up, monitor, and maintain irrigation systems
• Conduct routine crop care, including weeding, pruning, and pest management
• Harvest, wash, and prepare produce for delivery to the kitchen
• Support propagation activities, including seed starting and nursery care
• Maintain greenhouse operations and growing environments
• Assist with composting and soil fertility practices
• Monitor crop health and identify pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies
• Operate and maintain farm tools and equipment safely
• Maintain garden beds, pathways, and farm infrastructure
• Perform general farm upkeep, including light repairs and maintenance
• Support surrounding landscape and hardscape maintenance projects
• Assist with produce distribution and internal deliveries
• Support community engagement activities, including workshops, tours, and resident programming
• Perform physically demanding work, including lifting, bending, and extended periods of standing
• Performs other duties assigned

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, environmental studies, or related field preferred
• 2–3 years of experience in farming, gardening, or landscaping preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Basic mechanical aptitude and familiarity with tools and equipment
• Strong attention to detail and reliability
• Ability to follow direction and work independently or as part of a team
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in a diverse community

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and lifting required
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly

As a responsible and safety-conscious organization, we are committed to maintaining a secure and drug-free work environment. To ensure the well-being of our team members and uphold our values, we require candidates to undergo a background check and drug testing as part of our selection process.

Compensation and Benefits:

Enso Village is committed to equal pay and transparency. The salary range for this position is $25.00-$31.00 per hour. Compensation is based on experience, education, skills, and business considerations.  

We provide team members with a supportive and inclusive work environment focused on health and well-being. Eligible team members are offered comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage available starting on your first day of employment.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with a generous employer match to help you plan for the future.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Paid annual vacation, sick days, personal days, and holidays.
• Healthy Meals: Subsidized organic, nutritious meals available daily.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing career growth and development within the organization.

We value applicants of all different backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets. If you think you could excel in this role (regardless of whether you meet all of the qualifications), we encourage you to apply. Enso Village is an equal opportunity employer which means that we consider applicants for hire and make employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants who request an accommodation.