Farmer at Slate Run Historical Farm

Purpose

Performs a wide range of general farming, animal husbandry, maintenance, repair, and construction activities at Slate Run Living Historical Farm.

Examples of Duties

Performs a variety of agricultural, animal husbandry, grounds and facility maintenance, and domestic tasks to ensure the efficient operation of the farm.

Assists with the development of farm policies, procedures, and the annual budget. Adheres to safety rules and procedures.

Ensures the inventory of modern and historical farm equipment, vehicles, tools, and other property. Handles, cleans, and stores all tools safely and properly. Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on tools, vehicles, and equipment.

Performs manual labor duties related to farming, animal husbandry, construction and landscaping.

Promotes the Park District through public contact. Assists with the volunteer program which includes recruitment, training, scheduling, and assigning work.

Works with contractors and vendors to gather quotes.

Cleans Metro Parks' facilities and vehicles; perform custodial work including trash and litter pick up.

Assist with the training of staff and volunteers and trains the Park District staff on farm policies and procedures. Provides instructions and guidance to staff and volunteers.

May perform snow plowing and snow removal.

May assist with interpretive programs and special events at the farm in period style clothing.

Performs special projects or related duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: Completion of secondary education (high school or GED) plus two years of farming and animal husbandry experience. Knowledge of safety practices and procedures, basic building and grounds maintenance methods, principles of construction, equipment operation and construction trades. Skill in agricultural practices, animal husbandry and the use or operation of a variety of 1880-1900 and modern-day tools and equipment (e.g., saws, drills, grinders, planers, horse-driven machinery, plows, harrows, mowers, planters, etc.); driving horses. Experience with modern farm equipment required.

Attendance: Being present at work is an essential function of the position.

Team-Oriented: Works on a team. Outstanding customer service, communications and interpersonal skills.

Language Skills: Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, professionally and courteously with visitors and members of the public, vendors, co-workers and staff. Ability to explain technical park information in everyday language with customers. Ability to recognize and understand non-verbal symbols and cues. Communication occurs daily.

Mathematical Skills: Basic mathematics skills; ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, fractions, decimals.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to carry out instructions and deal with problems involving few variables within a familiar context. Ability to read and understand manuals. Ability to work with a minimum amount of supervision. Ability to carry out instructions; ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Licenses, Registrations: Possession of a valid Ohio driver license; insurable by Metro Parks insurance carrier, and ability to conform to the driving standards policy as approved by the Board of Park Commissioners.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear, lift, etc. Employee regularly works in gardens and fields, cares for farm animals, drives horses, and plows, plants, shears, butchers, cultivates, harvests, chops and hauls firewood. The employee is required to operate various types of equipment using their hands to; handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms, bend, stoop, etc. Employee is required to type, write, complete reports, file paperwork, use computer, etc.

Work Environment: While performing the regular duties of the job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee spends a portion of their time working in the barn. The employee frequently works with and near moving mechanical parts. Employee may be required to dress in 1880's period clothing during interpretive programs. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Information: Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the general public. Ability to work alone. Ability to use personal computers. Knowledge of agriculture, animal husbandry, materials, and practices; basic veterinary practices; safety practices and procedures; building and equipment maintenance practices and procedures; supervision; public relations. May be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays for special events.

Other Information

The above Description represents the essential and most significant duties of this position. It is not intended to exclude other work duties, assignments and responsibilities not mentioned herein.

The Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks has a longstanding commitment to provide a safe, quality-oriented and productive work environment. Alcohol and drug abuse poses a threat to the health and safety of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks' employees and to the security of the company's equipment and facilities. For these reasons, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks is committed to the elimination of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the workplace.