Dairy Farm Assistant, On-Site

Billings Farm & Museum (BF&M) was established in 1983 and is a primary ongoing project of the Woodstock Foundation. The farm is a working dairy farm and part of BF&M. The farm currently milks 40 registered Jersey cows, has a developing draft animal program, small flock of sheep, goats, and laying hens with seasonally raised pigs. The farm also consists of up to 65 acres of pasture and 200 acres of hay.

Our Mission: Growing a culture of care and connection to land, food, and community through immersive experiences and shared stories at our working Vermont dairy farm.

The Farm Assistant performs the day-to-day work of the farm. Farming is a lifestyle and animals have needs at all hours of the day and night. Farm housing will be provided and is a requirement of the position, as well as working up to 55 hours per week.

Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail, cow health, and milking protocols being followed, ability to detect mastitis.
• Maintain high standard of cleanliness in all areas.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to cooperate with other workers, showing leadership in creating a positive working environment.
• Ability to interact with the public in a responsible and courteous manner.
• Ability to follow instructions, maintain priorities, and complete work in a neat and orderly fashion.
• Strong communication skills including report making, updating the farm manager on issues, timely response to email, phone, or text message communication.
• Ability to work independently.
• Dependable and reliable.

Duties:

• As an onsite employee, employee is expected to support the team in covering when others call out sick, take vacation, or the farm is otherwise short-staffed.
• Expected to work events, perform night checks, cover emergencies, and have an overall willingness to fill in as needed. There may be brief periods during the busy season or challenging periods without days off.
• Expected to be on-call as a contact and shift-lead during open hours. Maintains communication with the operations team.
• Perform the day-to-day chores and duties that are involved in all aspects of the agricultural operations of Billings Farm. Much of the work at the farm requires heavy lifting and strenuous work conditions.
• Work in barns cleaning, sweeping, mucking.
• Follow the daily standard work list as assigned.
• Feeding the animals as assigned.
• Check for cow heat detection.
• Cleaning and organizing animals, pens, stalls, and other areas as assigned.
• Handling all animals in a safe and respectful manner.
• Perform all duties in a responsible, conscientious, and safe manner, paying particular attention to following safety regulations. Training will be provided for tasks and procedures requiring special expertise and/or methods.
• Represent Billings Farm and the Museum in a professional manner in all public contacts.
• Follow proper communication channels with the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager for all internal and external communication regarding animal welfare, safety, schedule, suppliers, and contractors. 
• Lifting and moving heavy items as necessary. 
• Working outside in all weather conditions including cold, rain, snow, sleet, heat, and humidity. 
• Operating farm equipment according to safety protocols and after training. 
• Able to work flexible hours and days, including holidays and weekends, events, and on-call for emergencies.  Work is up to 55 hours per week, as needed.
• Able to perform night checks on a rotating basis. Time will vary but will be at least one hour depending on tasks needing to be completed.
• Participate on committees and in meetings as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Prior dairy farm experience preferred but not required.

Supervision: Functions under the direct supervision of the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager.

Submit cover letter and resume for consideration.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Please submit resume and cover letter for consideration.

Experience:

• Farming: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Woodstock, VT 05091: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $52,000