Farm Assistant - Part Time (Weekends)

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Brookside Farm Manager, the Farm Assistant will contribute to the PSOE Farms livestock, cheese,

garden, and landscape maintenance needs as assigned. The Farm Assistant will provide support to multiple PSOE

farm locations as assigned by their supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Provide the weekend support for daily livestock maintenance routines, farm upkeep and production goals.

• Assist in the implementation and upkeep of the garden program.

• Identify, assess, and inform the campus Farm Managers of internal and external issues that impact the farm.

• Foster effective teamwork between farm and school staff.

• Abide by all PSOE frameworks as approved by the CEO and as noted in the staff handbook.

• Actively engage and energize PSOE volunteers, board members, event committees, stakeholders, partnering

organizations, and funders. When assigned, is prepared to act as a spokesperson for the farm.

• Utilize effective systems to manage the school farm including all its components and related structures/areas.

Troubleshoot problems as they arise, track progress, and regularly evaluate for improvement.

Program planning and management

• As assigned, assist in the maintenance of all farm aspects, including dairy goats, chickens, and gardens.

• As assigned, assist in the maintenance of the farm grounds and structures.

• As assigned, assist in the maintenance of the PSOE goat cheese program.

• As assigned, assist school staff.

• Contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the school.

• Be prepared to assist in the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects.

Human resources planning and management

• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and

regulations.

• Be prepared to assist all staff with elements of environmental orientation and organization.

Financial planning and management

• Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate.

Community Building

• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community members, community

groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Proficient in livestock management, gardening, and farming preferred.

• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and production.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent

interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.

• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning.

• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.

• Passion, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Ability to work independently following written and verbal instructions.

• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those

that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable

accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Must have the ability to sit, stand, and stoop for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to milk goats,

to garden; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and

understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that

others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; the physical agility to lift up

to 30 pounds to shoulder height and 50 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, sit on the ground, climb stairs,

walk and reach overhead.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee

may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to

enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Farm Assistant usually works in non-standard workplaces and will frequently be required to complete

physically demanding tasks in both fair and foul weather. They will spend the majority of their time outdoors and

also work inside a barn/shed with livestock. The Farm Assistant will work with a variety of plants and organic

material. The Farm Assistant will work standard hours as assigned but additionally may work evenings, weekends,

and any additional hours necessary to accommodate activities such as farm maintenance, animal care, public

meetings, and representing the organization at public events.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this

employee. Paramount Employees will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any

other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. Paramount Schools of

Excellence reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any

time.