Farm Manager

About the Role

Reporting to the Brookside Farm Manager, the Farm Assistant will contribute to the PSOE Farms livestock, cheese, garden, and landscape maintenance needs as assigned. The Farm Assistant will provide support to multiple PSOE farm locations as directed by their supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Provide weekend support for daily livestock maintenance routines, farm upkeep, and production goals.
• Assist in the implementation and upkeep of the garden program.
• Identify, assess, and inform the campus Farm Managers of internal and external issues that impact the farm.
• Foster effective teamwork between farm and school staff.
• Abide by all PSOE frameworks as approved by the CEO and as noted in the staff handbook.
• Actively engage and energize PSOE volunteers, board members, event committees, stakeholders, partnering organizations, and funders. When assigned, act as a spokesperson for the farm.
• Utilize effective systems to manage the school farm, including all its components and related structures/areas. Troubleshoot problems, track progress, and regularly evaluate for improvement.
• Assist in the maintenance of all farm aspects, including dairy goats, chickens, and gardens.
• Assist in the maintenance of the farm grounds and structures.
• Assist in the maintenance of the PSOE goat cheese program.
• Assist school staff as needed.
• Contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the school.
• Assist in the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects.
• Establish a positive, healthy, and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations.
• Assist all staff with elements of environmental orientation and organization.
• Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate.
• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community members, community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.

Requirements

• Proficient in livestock management, gardening, and farming preferred.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and production.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
• Passion, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to work independently following written and verbal instructions.
• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to sit, stand, and stoop for extended periods of time.
• Exhibit manual dexterity to milk goats and garden.
• Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids.
• Hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors, and on the telephone.
• Speak in audible tones so others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors, and on the telephone.
• Physical agility to lift up to 30 pounds to shoulder height and 50 pounds to waist height.
• Ability to bend, stoop, sit on the ground, climb stairs, walk, and reach overhead.

The work environment includes non-standard workplaces with frequent physically demanding tasks in both fair and foul weather. The majority of time is spent outdoors, with additional work inside a barn/shed with livestock. The role involves working with a variety of plants and organic material.

Standard hours are assigned, but evenings, weekends, and additional hours may be required for farm maintenance, animal care, public meetings, and representing the organization at public events.