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Job Title: Farm Hand

Reports to: Head of Facilities

Department: Facilities

Compensation:

Company Overview:

Shrub Oak International School (www.shruboak.org) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.

Under the direction of the Farm Manager, the Farmhand's responsibility is to assist in supporting and caring for a growing livestock program (i.e., sheep, chickens, goats, donkeys, horses). In addition, the care and upkeep of our garden, greenhouse, and any other new farm-related programs. The Farm Hand will, at times, supervise students at the farm and incorporate the farm as an integral Shrub Oak asset, which will be used to educate and support the individualized skill-based development of Shrub Oak students.

Essential Functions – Primary duties of the position

+  As per the Farm Manager's discretion, they will be expected to perform all required animal husbandry for Shrub Oak’s farm animals, which may include but not be limited to: Sheep, Goats, Donkeys and Chickens, and Horses which includes but is not limited to:

+ Ensuring the appropriate feeding and watering of farm animals.

+ Cleaning and disinfecting the yards and living areas of farm animals.

+ Proactively examine animals to detect symptoms of illness, injury, or disease, and check physical characteristics to ensure appropriate growth and health.

+ Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications.

+ Groom, clip, trim animals, and/or shear coats to collect hair as needed and appropriate.

+ Herd animals to pastures for grazing or to other enclosures.

+ Shift animals between grazing areas to ensure sufficient access to food, and plant, harvest and inspect crops by hand.

+ Assist in the Little Oak Farm Market when needed as well as complete tasks involved with the market.

+ Ensuring all plants in specified areas are always watered and maintained

+ Assist in planting, watering, and landscaping in the garden.

+ Supervise and Support the Clinical Department during Farm and Garden sessions.

+ Assist the Farm Assistant Manager with classes on an as need basis.

+ Follow a cohesive hands-on program encompassing all farm programs, including Livestock and Horticulture.

+ Perform any and all other responsibilities as may be required and needed.

+ Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Desire and ability to work with our students to create a safe and comfortable learning environment

+ Excellent oral and written communication skills to be able to articulate one’s thoughts clearly to a variety of means and audiences, including students, all levels of staff, parents, and vendors

+ Thorough knowledge of animal care, gardening, and farming practices

+ Demonstrated ability to creatively resolve issues with a proactive problem-solving approach

+ The ability to demonstrate initiative to handle the required work

+ Ability to flexibly change course to meet competing job demands and needs

+ The ability to work as part of a collaborative team within the department and with those in other departments to support and empower student learning and development

+ Ability to work with the team to handle challenging behaviors in a respectful, constructive manner in accordance with SOIS’ policies/protocols

+ Minimum of 2 years caring for farm animals and 1 year tending to plants and/or crops

+ Minimum of 1 year working with children, preferably with special needs.

Benefits:

Available for full-time employees. An overview of our benefits:

+ Insurance coverage: Health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance

+ Flexible spending account (FSA)

+ Paid time off (PTO)

+ 401k w/ company match

+ Tuition/Professional development assistance

+ Employee assistance program (EAP)

+ Employee discounts

Physical Requirements/Demands:

A workday regularly includes multiple or conflicting demands, deadlines, and time pressures; work regularly requires sustained concentration. Standing for sustained periods of time, bending, stretching, walking up and down stairs (building has 6 floors), and around a hilly campus as needed, may also require walking between floors or between buildings at a moment’s notice. May need to lift/move boxes up to 25 pounds and move or rearrange furniture.

Work Environment:

We are a boarding school located on a 127-acre campus. The work environment will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, mostly inside the classroom or educational environment. May include work within the residential setting. The building has 6 floors accessible by staircases and elevators.

EEO Statement:

Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of their job. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

Please note:

SOIS maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. Smoking or vaping of any kind is strictly prohibited indoors, outdoors, and during off-campus activities, with enforcement measures in place including smoke/vape detectors. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

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