Job Details
Job Location
Weir River Farm - Hingham, MA
Position Type
Part Time
Description
About The Trustees:
The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation's premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees' properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000 acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. We are a non-profit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households.
Pay Rate: $20/hr
The Position:
The Trustees engages in production livestock farming, endeavoring to model humane practices and conscientious attitudes evidenced in our staff, pastures, farmyards, fields and livestock infrastructure.
Through our three Trustees Educational Barnyards, we connect visitors to our land through meaningful, authentic, animal-based programming. Visitors to our farms experience livestock with purposeful lives, whether that be production for meat, milk and eggs, or as critical elements of land resource management. Our barnyard animals provide opportunities for environmental, experiential, and inquiry-based education. We know that our farms provide a deep and lasting connection to our Trustees' mission of protecting the integrity of these ecologically and historically important places.
The Livestock Caretaker at Weir River Farm oversees the day-to-day management of the Educational Barnyard, caring for laying hens, goats, sheep, pigs, and rabbits, managing rotational grazing and biosecurity measures, and supporting our Livestock Volunteer team.
The Caretaker also works closely with colleagues in the Public Programs and Education departments to support livestock engagement programming. The position is part-time, up to 15 hours/week, and year-round with a seasonally variable work schedule.
Support and management policies will be made in consultation with the Agriculture Operations Manager.
Essential Functions:
Animal welfare

• Ensure optimal health and welfare of all livestock through attentive daily observation, managing grazing, feed schedules, supplemental mineral and medicine dosage, and regular veterinary herd checks
• Demonstrate a daily commitment to humane animal handling techniques and to ensuring livestock may exhibit natural instincts
• Encourage livestock socialization by working with animals regularly, by handling, walking on leads, grooming, etc. to ensure positive public interactions

Volunteer management

• Model best practices in working with our animals safely and humanely
• Hire, manage, and engage livestock volunteers
• Maintain shift schedule and oversee regular communication with individuals and team
• Schedule and lead trainings

Resource Management

• Oversee livestock shelters, paddocks, and public farm spaces to ensure animal welfare, safety, cleanliness, and an excellent visitor experience
• Proactively assess equipment, buildings, fencing, and other infrastructure, and parnter with Stewardship team to identify and complete necessary maintenance projects
• Oversee pasture management through rotational grazing
• Safely operate Trustees vehicles to haul feed/shavings as needed

Team Dynamics

• Collaborate with Public Program and Education teams
• Partner with Stewardship team to identify fencing, carpentry and other farm-based infrastructure projects
• Connect with Agricultural Resources Manager and other Trustees Farm Teams to ensure alignment on animal welfare guidelines and policies
• Foster a positive and friendly work atmosphere, working effectively and cooperatively with other Trustees staff

Qualifications
Job specific skills and competencies preferred or desired:

• Appropriate related experience in the field of livestock management is absolutely necessary. A minimum of 2 years professional experience with animal husbandry and/or livestock management is required
• Knowledge and comfort with all aspects of humane livestock care.
• Experience leading public programming, making for an interesting and safe experience in the barnyard.
• The ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including lifting heavy objects, working outside in all variety of weather and conditions, and working around animals.
• Proven interpersonal skills with the strong ability to work with a team of peers.

Other:

• This position may require working weekends.
• Valid driver's license required for driving Trustees vehicles; satisfactory driver's record check required.
• Massachusetts DOT Medical Card required.
• Satisfactory CORI check required.

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.
The Trustees commitment to advancing the organization's vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity