Farm Hand - Willow-Witt Ranch

Willow-Witt Ranch is a 445-acre gem in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument near Ashland, Oregon. It is home to a small organic farm, campground, farm stay accommodations, restored wetlands, working forests, and The Forest Conservation Burial Ground.

We are seeking a Farm Hand with Animal Care experience, who will be responsible for day-to-day operations, upkeep, maintenance and repair of the farm including caring for the animals, garden, facilities, guest lodging and outdoor improvements, such as trails and fencing. This position also works to support our conservation burial ground by digging graves, attending burials, closing graves and general cemetery maintenance and care. The Ranch Hand reports to Business Manager and Owner and is part of the Ranch Operations Team, which also includes Area Leads (Garden, Farm, Hospitality) and other Ranch Hands.

STATUS: Hourly, Non exempt

COMPENSATION: Starting at $17.50/hr

SCHEDULE: Full Time - evening and weekend hours required.

RESIDENCE: Summer-season lodging/camping available for Camp Host Position. $300 deducted monthly

Core accountabilities

-Daily chores and care of animals (feeding all animals, milking goats, collecting chicken and duck eggs)

-Helps to care for animals on site, administering medications, keeping animal records, ear-tagging, hoof trimming, breeding, milking and milk sanitation tasks, coordinating with owner and veterinarian as needed.

-Greet, welcome and orient guests, answer guests’ questions about the property, facilities, and nearby attractions.

-Garden work includes weeding, seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and processing produce, and keeping organic records.

-Monitor premises for needed repairs

-Maintenance and upkeep of facilities and machinery

-Light forestry and landscape work (ie: trail work, burn pile assemblance and maintenance, fencing repair)

-Cemetery work including grave digging and assisting with burials

-On your feet thinking and problem solving, self directed work and attention to detail

-Additional Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

-Ability to learn about and support the safe and responsible operation and maintenance of all utility systems at Willow-Witt Ranch including: water system, plumbing system, solar systems, appliances, wood burning stoves, waste management and disposal systems including trash, recycling and composting.

-Helps the team maintain fire and first-aid safety systems including fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and wood stoves.

-Helps maintain gates, fences and drainage systems.

-Helps maintain and repair animal shelters, pastures, fences, pens and enclosures.

-Helps maintain and repair garden beds, hose bibs, irrigation, and plumbing in the garden.

-The Ranch Hand will also support the operations of, and be paid by The Crest, an educational non-profit running programs at the ranch. Responsibilities include assisting with setup/breakdown, showing the students parts of the ranch, helping students with specified tasks like weeding or harvesting in the garden.

-Collaborates with and supports Hospitality Lead regarding tasks for site rentals and special events.

-Maintains firewood supply at all houses and wood sheds.

Requirements:

-Interest in sustainable farming and environmental education.

-Comfortable working with a wide variety of people and situations including farm stay guests and young children. A background check will be required.

-Farm experience is a plus, specifically animal care. (We have goats, chickens, ducks, livestock guard dogs, and barn cats)

-Experience with gardening, animals, carpentry, plumbing, electrical or other facilities maintenance skills.

-Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs and perform strenuous outdoor tasks related to ranch maintenance.

-Ability to do what it takes to perform emergency repairs when needed. Creativity and flexibility in finding and implementing solutions with facilities and maintenance challenges.

Flexibility to provide on-duty coverage on weekends and/or evenings on rotational basis or with other days off, as needed and arranged

-Ability to work in a rural and rustic ranch environment, outside in the elements year round.

-Knowledge regarding environmental stewardship is a plus.

-Computer literacy is a plus

Reports Directly to the Business Manager and the Owner

-This is a full-time position starting at $17/hour. There is room to grow and move up within our organization.

-This position requires weekend and evening work.

-Begins as soon as possible and is year round.

-Covered by Workers Compensation Insurance

-Non-exempt employee, accrues overtime for any time worked beyond 40 hours in a work week.

Benefits

-Up-To 40 Hours of Paid Sick Time accrued annually

-Up-To 48 Hours of Paid Time Off accrued annually

-401k available after 6-months of employment. Employee contributions vested after two years’ employment.

-Gratis Willow-Witt Ranch/ The Forest Conservation Burial Ground burial plot granted after three years of employment.

-Weekly allotment of fresh eggs, milk and produce when available

-Friends and Family discounts on Willow-Witt Ranch accommodations

-This position does not include health insurance coverage.

To apply: Send short cover letter, resumé, and 3 professional references.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Willow-Witt Ranch provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Willow-Witt Ranch complies with all applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.