Educational Farm Manager Job in CT

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Educational Farm Manager Job at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut – 2021

Located in the scenic Berkshire-Taconic landscape in the quiet northwest corner of Connecticut, The Hotchkiss School is a community in which faculty and staff members build careers and grow as professionals. We seek to identify, recruit, and develop faculty and staff members who bring a diversity of experiences, perspectives, talents, and backgrounds. Collectively, we are dedicated to supporting the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of 600 students who come from around the country and the world.

In the 2020-2021 school year, 38 percent of Hotchkiss students are U.S. students of color, 13 percent are international, and 95 percent of students are boarders from 27 countries and 36 states in the U.S.  The School is eager to accept applications from populations historically underrepresented in our community and who are excited to support an inclusive and warm learning community for students from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.

Educational Farm Manager Job Purpose:

Manage agricultural and operational dimensions of the Farm in ways that support the primary educational mission of the program.

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary mission of Fairfield Farm is to serve as an educational resource for the academic, co-curricular and residential programs at Hotchkiss.  In order to achieve our educational goals, the Farm must be a true production-oriented farm providing significant amounts of food to the School’s dining program.  The Farm Manager is primarily responsible for ensuring the daily running of all operational matters relating to Fairfield Farm –its food production and the stewardship of the agricultural land– as well as serving as a leader of both students and adults participating in experiential learning and leadership development programming. The Farm Manager is an integral part of the support and development of an inclusive community at Fairfield Farm and by extension the Hotchkiss community.

The Hotchkiss School is eager to consider applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities.

Reports to:  Assistant Head of School, Director of Strategic Initiatives

The Farm Manager has a 10-month schedule and is designated as a staff position. Given the farm management responsibilities, an apartment is provided on-site.

Educational Farm Manager Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

Collaborate with Assistant Head of School, Director of Strategic Initiatives on strategic goals and key initiatives, including:

1. Develop and implement long-term strategic goals for farm operations and educational programs,
2. Identify and mitigate risk, including the development and enforcement of student and staff safety protocols and policies,
3. Develop and implement plans and schedules for planting and harvesting operations, including the procurement of seeds and necessary supplies,
4. Ensure up-keep of key assets such as farm buildings and equipment,
5. Oversee tenant farm operations (currently Whippoorwill Farm) to ensure proper pasture management/stewardship.

Manage vegetable operations, including:

1. Hoop House operations, programs and maintenance,
2. Ecological stewardship through maintenance and enhancement of soil health in planting field,
3. Equipment operation in field,
4. Seeding, planting, cultivating, and harvesting produce,
5. Food storage, cleaning, and delivery,
6. Bookkeeping and data reporting.

Oversee all aspects of livestock management, including:

1. Daily feedings, including weekends unless a replacement is arranged,
2. Slaughterhouse coordination and delivery (with director of dining services),
3. On-farm educational experiences related to livestock.

Manage employee training and supervision, including:

1. Communicate and enforce safety protocols and procedures for all on-site employees and volunteers,
2. Summer Intern program management,
3. Summer/Fall Intern management.

Collaborate with The Farm Education Coordinator on educational programming, including:

Assist running the co-curricular FFEAT (Fairfield Farm Ecosystems and Adventure Team) program;

1. Establish seasonal goals for the team,
2. Plan daily activities,
3. Mentor students in their leadership skill development.

Facilitate experiential learning with various groups,

1. Assist to facilitate continued growth of farm-based or farm-centric curricula during academic year and Summer Portals,
2. Develop labs in collaboration with the science department,
3. Act as “guest lecturer” on campus and on-farm,
4. Collaborate with Director of Dining Services to advise student projects concerning Fairfield Farm and the dining program,
5. Facilitate and lead meaningful farm work for visiting classes or campus groups (i.e. orientation, environmental work days, academic classes) building a “hands-on” component.

Support further programmatic and operational growth at the Farm, such as:

1. Research and implement the practices of similar and innovative farms/educational initiatives that align with the mission of the Farm.

Serve as a representative of Fairfield Farm and the Farm’s programming, such as:

1. Attend and present at school-sponsored or farm-hosted functions,
2. Attend and present at education or agricultural conferences and gatherings,
3. Provide farm tours and program information for visiting groups and touring families,
4. Serve as a link between Hotchkiss and other farms in our agricultural community.

Skills and Experience Required:

1. Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the principles of soil biology and management, low-till crop production, permaculture, growing perennials, using cover crops, composting, and a general ecological systems approach to agriculture.
2. Experience farming in a production, educational, or comparable setting.
3. Basic light farm carpentry and proficiency with power tools is preferred and ability to operate farm equipment is highly desired.
4. Willing and able to be an integral part of a student-centered, inclusive campus community.
5. A desire for continuous professional growth and development.
6. Excellent problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills.
7. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
8. A valid and safe driving record.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and elements, including dust, dirt, high/low temperatures and rain.
2. Ability to walk extensively, stand for long periods, frequent bending and stooping, shoveling.
3. Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs frequently and occasionally up to 50 lbs.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities.  Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

To Apply for the Educational Farm Manager Job at Hotchkiss: Apply Now! Fairfield Farm Manager

The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and affirmatively seeks to attract to its staff and faculty qualified persons of diverse backgrounds. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination).  In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.