Retreat Farm

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Join us as we grow! Retreat Farm seeks a new Assistant Farm Manager to work closely with the Farm Manager on all aspects of animal care and public and educational programming related to the animals. The Assistant Farm Manager may also assist the lands team with the care of Retreat Farm's campus.

Overview of Responsibilities:
Animal Care
The Assistant Farm Manager helps feed, water, and maintain an appropriate living environment for Retreat Farm's animal population. This includes equines and ruminants, as well as elderly animals requiring special attention. The Assistant Farm Manager must be able to recognize basic medical problems (e.g., when an animal is not eating) and be comfortable administering medications with direction from the Farm Manager.

Lands
The Assistant Farm Manager assists with preservation, maintenance, security, safety, accessibility, environmental integrity, and beautification of Retreat Farm's property. This includes caring for 500+ acres of forest and farmlands and nearly 11 miles of publicly accessible trails.

Specific Responsibilities May Include:
Animal Care:
- Feeding and watering Retreat Farm's animals according to a set schedule - Cleaning stalls
- Monitoring animals for health concerns
- Administering medication to animals as needed and with training
- Rotating animals to different pastures and building temporary fencing
- Overseeing farm staff when the Farm Manager is unavailable
retreatfarm.org | 45 Farmhouse Square – Brattleboro, VT 05301 | 802-490-2270
- Assisting with the development and execution of animal-related programming, including education-focused events
- Training animals under the guidance of the Farm Manager
- Comfort using power tools for basic building and carpentry tasks

Lands
Occasionally assist with the following:
- Weed-wacking
- Trail maintenance
- Snow plowing and shoveling
- Other lands or building related tasks as assigned

Requirements
- Occasional weekend and evening work is required. A Tuesday through Saturday schedule is preferred.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work as a part of a farm management team
- Ability to operate a tractor and skid steer, or willingness and aptitude to learn
- Has broad farm-based experience, including the care and feeding of animals and grounds maintenance
- Ability to lift 50lbs. repeatedly (e.g., when moving loads of hay)
- Basic computer skills, with a preference for Google Suite proficiency
- Training or experience with informal farm-based education or interpretation preferred

Work Environment:
Retreat Farm is a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Candidates must be able to switch focus several times a day to address changing priorities while maintaining mental focus within an open atmosphere with moderate noise levels and interruptions.

The Assistant Farm Manager will sometimes interact with the public and must be comfortable providing informal education about animals with appropriate training.

Wage & Benefits
$22-24/hr plus paid time off; employer contributions to health, vision, and dental insurances (optional); eligibility for a retirement plan with employer match (optional); and discounts at the Retreat Farm Market.
This position is a FLSA non-exempt, minimum full-time role (32 hours per week with occasional weeks up to 40 hours). Requires onsite presence and does not have remote/hybrid flexibility.

To Apply:
Send a resume and cover letter to jobs@retreatfarm.org with the subject line "Assistant Farm Manager: Last name." Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.