Animal Care Coordinator (part-time)

Retreat Farm is on a mission to connect people to the land and to one-another. We do this with a vision of creating a more just, healthy, and sustainable community.

Overview

Join us as we grow! Retreat Farm, Ltd. seeks one part-time person with the experience, personality, and skills necessary to help manage the Farm’s core animal program—an important part of connection to the Farm’s historical past, to the region’s working heritage, and to the communities that enjoy the farm today. The current animal population at Retreat Farm includes two bull calves, a donkey, and several goats.

Core Responsibilities

●      Feeding, watering, and cleaning up after Retreat Farm’s animal population

●      Helping to monitor the health of Retreat Farm’s animals

●      Reporting any animal concerns to appropriate staff, and taking action to address concerns as appropriate. Note that, though this position requires some prior experience with large animals, training will be provided for care of Retreat Farm’s specific animals.

The Ideal Candidate

●      Has broad farm-based experience including the care and feeding of large farm animals

●      Can operate a tractor and skid steer. Training will be provided on necessary farm equipment.

●      Is a clear communicator, through both verbal and written communication

●      Is able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Schedule

This is an FLSA non-exempt, part-time position. Flexible shifts will be determined in coordination with all farm staff. Some weekend work may be required.

Physical Demands

Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods, climb stairs, navigate uneven terrain, and occasionally lift up to 50lbs. repeatedly (e.g., moving loads of hay).

Work Environment

Retreat Farm is a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. While the Animal Care Coordinator will primarily work with animals in barn and pasture settings, they may interact with the public throughout the Retreat Farm campus. Candidates must be able to switch focus to address frequently changing priorities while maintaining mental focus and a positive attitude in an atmosphere with moderate noise levels and interruptions.

Reporting

The Animal Care Coordinator reports to the Manager of Animal Care, and is a member of Retreat Farm’s farm, lands, and facilities team, working in partnership with all Retreat Farm staff and occasional volunteers.

Wage & Benefits

Pay range: $19-22 per hour based on skills and experience, approximately 10 hours per week. Benefits include access to an employer-matched retirement plan and a discount at the Retreat Farm Market (opening June 2024).

To Apply

Please share a resume and a detailed cover letter to jobs@retreatfarm.org letting us know why you are a good fit for this position. In addition to work experience, please include any non-paid large animal experience. Applications will be reviewed as they are received on a rolling basis. The position is open until filled.

Retreat Farm is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe diverse teams make the strongest teams and encourage qualified people of all backgrounds, identities, ages, and abilities to apply.

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ABOUT RETREAT FARM

Retreat Farm is an essential Vermont place whose mission is to connect people to the land and to one-another. This is a place where people of all ages come to learn, gather, and connect with the natural world through a variety of public programs. These programs, together with the forests, farmlands, trails, waterways, and historic barns and grounds of the Farm, are central to the health and life of surrounding communities.

Established in 1837, the original Retreat Farm was a working and therapeutic farm serving patients at the nearby Brattleboro Retreat. A prominent feature of the region for 180 years, the Farm today encompasses 500 acres of conserved forests, farmlands, trails, and waterways, and a historic eight-structure Farmstead. Retreat Farm sits adjacent to downtown Brattleboro, a gateway to Vermont and the geographic center of New England.

The nonprofit Retreat Farm, Ltd. was formed in 2015 to restore the lands and structures and establish a vibrant program of education, stewardship, and community gatherings. By connecting people to the land and one another, Retreat Farm is helping to ensure a healthy future for the region. Learn more at retreatfarm.org.