Company description

For 15 years, Stone Barns Center and Blue Hill have demonstrated the power of farmer-chef collaborations to inspire change in the food system. We are now poised to deepen our impact and address some of the greatest environmental, health, and economic challenges of our time. We have a bold vision to catalyze an ecological food culture that supports a thriving regenerative food and farm economy.

We will build on our long standing work at the intersection of farmers and chefs to activate critical areas with the potential for exponential impact on ecological and human health, farm viability, and other elements of thriving food systems. In service of this vision, we will reimagine how we use our Lower Hudson Valley campus to serve as the R&D lab for the ecological food culture we seek.

Job description

Job Title: Woodland Goat Assistant, Stone Barns Center

Reports To: The Livestock Manager

Employment Classification: Full-time, Salaried/Non-Exempt

Frequency of Pay: Bi-weekly

Salary: $42,000

Schedule: 5 days, must be able to work weekends and holidays as assigned

The Woodland Goat Assistant will be an integral part of the livestock operations in collaboration with the Livestock Manager and team. This position will also work directly with other farm staff, interns, and volunteers. The Woodland Goat Assistant will work within an integrated team of farmers, researchers, and other experts to further the development of a resilient agro-ecological system, explore symbiotic relationships between animals, plant-base, and soil ecology, and contribute to farm innovation and experimentation.

Previous experience with livestock is required and the ideal candidate must demonstrate a knowledge of goats. Farm chores are strenuous and repetitive. Our work environment setting is largely based in our thicketed woodland areas where exposure to thorns, ticks and poison ivy are a reality. The position requires high-energy, excellent communication skills and the ability to keep up with a busy and diverse schedule. The position will require the ability to work with constant deadlines and changing priorities while accepting feedback from the team.

Responsibilities:

• Perform daily animal husbandry duties: feeding, cleaning, handling and observation of animals
• Protect animal welfare and safety of all livestock
• Support the comprehensive land management plan (i.e. grazing plan, pasture rotation, woodland management programs)
• Willingness to accept and uphold existing processes
• Assist the Woodland Goat Manager in the maintenance of detailed records of daily activities
• Assist with systems maintenance, fencing and energizer management, and intensive rotation schedules
• Safely operate machinery
• Assist with care and maintenance and cleaning of lambing barn, barnyard, tools, and equipment
• Work with minimal supervision in a team environment
• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and via email
• Other related assignments as necessary.

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

• On–farm experience is important
• Helpful to have worked with small ruminants
• Candidates must understand that this is a serious job for serious people. Caring for animals requires a strong sense of commitment and the right candidate will be punctual, disciplined, hardworking and flexible
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of goats, including current worming protocols, foot care, etc. Willing to train exceptional candidates with limited goat farm experience
• Has experience and willing to learn more about grassland and pasture ecosystems management, as well as, develop an understanding of supplementary feeding
• Has experience with veterinary care of livestock and routine health and well-being checks
• Organized and able to prioritize and assist with a full and diverse workload and be proactive
• Sound judgment and commitment to sustainable farm values
• Interested in the Stone Barns mission

Physical Demands:

This is a highly physical role. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to see and reach. The employee is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand for long periods of time (e.g., up to 8 hours or longer) and to don appropriate personal protective equipment in response to COVID-19, including face coverings. The employee is required to use dominant hand coordination for simple grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation. The employee is also required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, kneel, and reach above shoulder level. The employee may be exposed to extreme temperatures, dust, dampness, moving machinery, food allergens, and cleaning agents. Due to the nature of the farming industry, the employee may be required to work longer hours and varying schedules to reflect the business needs, which may include overtime, weekends, and holidays. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, so long as they do not cause undue hardship.

Compensation and Benefits

Stone Barns Center is committed to equity and inclusion throughout every aspect of our work and team. Our investment in education and development includes a salary commensurate with experience; 401k with employer match; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and generous paid time off.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $35,000 - $50,000

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline