Company description

Founded in 1969, College of the Atlantic was the first college in the United States to focus exclusively on the relationship between humans and the environment. COA enriches the liberal arts tradition through a distinctive educational philosophy—human ecology. A human ecological perspective integrates knowledge from all academic disciplines and from personal experience to investigate—and ultimately improve—the relationships between human beings and our social and natural communities. The human ecological perspective guides all aspects of education, research, activism, and interactions among the college’s students, faculty, staff, and trustees.

The faculty, students, trustees, staff, and alumnx of College of the Atlantic envision a world where people value creativity, intellectual achievement, and the diversity of nature and human cultures. With respect and compassion, individuals will construct meaningful lives for themselves, gain appreciation for the relationships among all forms of life, and safeguard the heritage of future generations. Our 350 students, 35 faculty, and 75 staff members share COA’s original focus on engaged learning and community, and more than ever, we believe that an interdisciplinary, human ecological perspective is critical to addressing the world’s most pressing problems.

Peggy Rockefeller Farms (PRF) is one of two farms owned by College of The Atlantic. PRF is located in the Town of Bar Harbor, Maine. The property is a 125 acre educational farm with 45+ acres in organic and grass fed livestock production, including poultry (eggs and meat), beef, pork, and lamb. The farm has several organic enterprises certified by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). The farm serves as a living laboratory for classes, research, workshops, and other educational opportunities for students and the broader MDI community. The farm is located on Mt. Desert Island near Acadia National Park (ANP) and is under a Conservation Easement that limits use to agriculture and conservation.

Job description

Position Overview

The assistant farm manager is responsible for overseeing a variety of aspects of managing Peggy Rockefeller Farm (PRF) including but not limited to livestock husbandry, rotational grazing, pasture management, oversight of work-study students and seasonal staff, and the maintenance of buildings, grounds, and equipment. This position reports directly to the PRF manager. In collaboration with the PRF manager, faculty, and staff, the assistant manager will support expanded farm-based interdisciplinary educational opportunities for students.

This is a full-time 12-month staff member position. This position may involve weekend and holiday work as weather and production require. On occasion, the assistant manager will be expected to act as an on-call employee and to respond to farm emergencies when the PRF Manager is away from the farm for extended periods or otherwise unreachable.

PRF, located in the Town of Bar Harbor, Maine, is a 125-acre educational farm with 45 acres in organic and grass-fed livestock production, including poultry (eggs and meat), beef, pork, and lamb. The farm has several organic enterprises certified by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). The farm serves as a living laboratory for classes, research, workshops, and other educational opportunities for students and the broader MDI community. The farm is located on Mt. Desert Island near Acadia National Park (ANP) and is under a Conservation Easement that limits use to agriculture and conservation.

Essential Job Functions

• Management of daily livestock health, nutrition, and breeding (cattle, sheep, poultry, pork) tasks in accordance with the livestock management plan
• Pasture management via the execution of the rotational grazing and field maintenance plan
• Involvement with the college’s Farm Advisory Working Group and implementation of its farm-related programming activities as overseen by the the farm manager and in accordance with the Farms Strategic Plan
• Farm equipment operation (loader tractors, manure spreader, mowers, rototillers, trailers)
• Supervision of work-study students during academic terms, as well as seasonal staff in coordination with the farm manager
• Poultry processing (seasonally)
• Processing, packaging, and delivery of farm products to wholesale and retail accounts as assigned
• Farm facility maintenance and repairs

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years experience raising livestock (cattle, sheep, poultry, or swine) for meat and fiber in rotational grazing systems.
• Experience with poultry production (and processing) and the reproduction of sheep and cattle is strongly desired.

Preferred qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in agroecology, agronomy, animal and veterinary science, horticulture, sustainable agriculture and food systems, or an equivalent degree.
• Experience communicating with the public and delivering educational programming.
• Experience managing programs and budgets.
• Experience with marketing and sales including proficiency in Excel and POS systems.

Compensation

Wage: $21- $23 an hour, commensurate with experience
Benefits eligible–benefits package including health, dental, and retirement

COA has committed to an institution-wide effort to enact an affirmatively anti-racist college and to put in place policies and practices that enable all students, staff, and faculty to flourish regardless of background and identity. It is essential that this role be able to contribute to these efforts.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

May 30, 2025