Company description
Welcome to Gould Farm! We are a therapeutic community serving people with serious mental health challenges nestled in the scenic Berkshires of western Massachusetts, where guests, staff, and families live and work side-by-side in a spirit of shared healing and hope. Our 750-acre working farm offers a rare opportunity: the chance to do meaningful work in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by a close-knit, mission-driven community. For many, joining our team means relocating and embracing a unique lifestyle that blends professional fulfillment with personal growth. If you're seeking a career that combines heart, nature, and community, we invite you to explore Gould Farm.
Job description
GOULD FARM
Farm Work Team Leader
Position Summary
Join a dynamic team dedicated to healing, recovery, and reimagining mental health treatment. Reporting to the Farm Manager, the Farm Work Team Leader supports daily farm operations, including animal care, pasture management, and dairy processing, with particular emphasis on creamery operations.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, this position creates meaningful work opportunities for guests, supporting skill development, confidence, and personal growth through participation in the daily life of the farm. The Work Team Leader helps maintain a safe, productive, and welcoming environment while advancing Gould Farm's commitment to regenerative agriculture and community.
Primary Responsibilities
Work Program & Guest Support
Teach, coach, and support guests through meaningful work assignments, adapting activities to individual skills and abilities.
Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive work environment that encourages teamwork, learning, and personal growth.
Provide orientation, training, and supervision to guests and volunteers in safe work practices.
Collaborate with farm staff, clinical staff, and other work teams to support guest goals and community participation.
Farm & Creamery Operations
Participate in daily creamery operations, including milk handling, bottling, cheesemaking and other dairy processing activities.
Maintain food safety, sanitation, equipment, and production records in accordance with established procedures and applicable regulations.
Train and support guests in creamery activities, promoting safe practices and meaningful participation.
Provide daily livestock care, including milking, feeding, cleaning, animal health monitoring, and assistance with veterinary care and calving.
Support rotational grazing and pasture management, including livestock movement, fencing, and seasonal farm maintenance.
Safely operate and maintain farm equipment and assist with other agricultural activities, including the beef operation, as needed.
Team & Community Responsibilities
Participate in farm team meetings, staff meetings, supervision, and ongoing training.
Communicate and collaborate with other teams, community members, and outside partners as needed.
Participate in community activities and events.
Work a five-day schedule that may include one weekend day and participate in the on-call rotation after six months of employment.
Qualifications
Experience or interest in dairy processing, cheesemaking, or creamery operations is especially desirable.
Two to three years of agricultural, livestock, dairy, or related experience is preferred.
Experience teaching, mentoring, or supervising others, with strong communication and teamwork skills.
Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and safe equipment operation, or willingness to learn.
Ability to perform the physical demands of farm work, including outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
Commitment to Gould Farm’s mission, values, and therapeutic community.
Residency Requirement: This position requires living at Gould Farm in subsidized employer-provided housing. If housing is unavailable at the time of hire, the employee must agree to relocate when suitable housing becomes available.
Commitment to Diversity
Gould Farm is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and welcoming community. We value diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives and encourage candidates who share our commitment to apply.
Compensation & Benefits
Starting at $20 per hour, with a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, life insurance, generous paid time off and sick leave, 401(k), low-cost on-campus housing with utilities, and a generous food benefit.
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $20/hr +
Application instructions
If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!
Deadline
no deadline