Raven & Boar is an all season family farm in Columbia County NY,  founded in 2009, specializing in silvo-pastured heritage breed pigs.  Raven & Boar Farm works to build a holistic vertically integrated farm-to-finish model by partnering with Hudson Valley Charcuterie. Doing our own processing in-house under USDA emphasizes direct marketing of value-added products produced from our farm-raised livestock and seasonal local produce. We continue to work with our in-depth silvo-pasture grazing plan to continually consider and sustain a healthy farm ecosystem and most importantly, happy and healthy pigs. Raven & Boar and Hudson Valley Charcuterie are owned and operated by Ruby Duke. 

Raven & Boar is looking for a highly motivated, proactive candidate, interested in repairing and maintaining Farm structures and equipment, planning / installing fencing, moving compost, clearing trees, using power tools and some tractor mechanics. Must be willing to work with and in proximity to livestock ( pigs ) being raised for slaughter. This position will perform duties independently and / or at the direction of the farm Owner who lives at the farm full time.  

Please express your interest in either part-time or full-time at the time of application.
 

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Equipment and Facilities Maintenance: Oversee the installation, maintenance and repair of equipment,  infrastructure and farm machinery. Ensure that equipment, machinery and infrastructure operate safely. ( greenhouse, shop, temporary structures )
• Perform small-scale plumbing projects. Upkeep of existing water infrastructure ( water pumps, tanks, solar chargers )
• Perform small-scale farm building projects using farm equipment including hand tools, power tools and tractor. [ Only after training ].
• Operating mechanical equipment for woods clearing and wood splitting.
• Daily fencing maintenance: clearing fence lines, clearing brush, maintaining and installing electrical fence infrastructure. ( High tensile and braided wire )
• Understand and implement rotational grazing, planning/agroforestry.
• Feed and water animals.
• Herd health observation. Communicating with Management.  
• Driving Farm vehicles with a trailer. Loading and rotating pigs using Farm vehicle, trailer and tractor.
• Inventory Management: Work with Management to procure necessary supplies and equipment. Manage inventory levels to avoid shortages and wastage. 
• Organize and Automate Maintenance: Work with Management to set and perform maintenance tasks, reporting deviations and concerns as they arise. 
• Environmental Stewardship: Implement sustainable farming practices to minimize environmental impact. Consider conservation measures and engage in responsible land management. 
• Balancing continued and significant amounts of daily work while communicating with Management any needs or concerns.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Must maintain consistent, proactive communication and records.
• Emergency Response and Risk Management: Develop and implement plans for unforeseen events such as power outages. Identify and manage risks to ensure the continuity of the Farm operations. 

PREREQUISITES: 

• Minimum 1 year experience necessary in relation to structural and equipment maintenance. Knowledge of specific implements is not required, however, after on the job training, there is an expectation of an ability to learn given that the role involves the operation of crucial farm equipment that must function safely at all times.
• Flexibility is required to cover changes in tasks, dependent on Farm needs, sometimes requiring extending the working hours at short notice ( when urgent and hopefully infrequent )
• Ability to follow and retain instructions and procedures, adapting to change if and when necessary.
• Effective time management and multitasking skills.
• Passion for local food, farming and the desire to learn more is required.
• Have reliable transportation or commuting plan. We are a very small team and rely on every member to be on time for every shift. Even if you're not expected to drive for this job, you will need to have a reliable commuting plan ( and backup plan ) to show your ability to arrive at work consistently and on time. This job position requires driving work vehicles and therefore, R&B requests and reimburses for a Driving Abstract from your DMV during the application process.
• Able to work both in a team and with limited social contact.
• Problem solving under pressure or adverse conditions in a calm and calculated manner to see multiple projects to completion.
• Adaptability and flexibility with regards to completing tasks with ever-changing priorities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in and out of doors, year-round. While performing the duties of this job, the employee can be exposed to fumes, dust, animal waste, airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. The ground and floors can be slippery. The noise level on the farm can be loud. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and sometimes long periods of standing and/or repetitive tasks.
• A certain degree of bending, stretching, twisting and constant movement is required as well as the ability to work at a quick pace.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds with the help of other staff, often in inclement weather.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to stand and work for extended periods of time in non-temperature controlled environments.
• Ability to cope with the many physical demands for prolonged periods of time with a good attitude and outlook all depending on the job required.
• Take pride, enjoy and value opportunity, hard work, rising early, working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Able to work efficiently independently with limited social contact and communicate needs for additional assistance based on workload and tasks.
• Problem solving under pressure or adverse conditions in a calm and calculated manner to see multiple projects to completion.
• Adaptability and flexibility with regards to completing tasks with ever-changing priorities.