Job Description

SUMMARY:

Slide Ranch seeks a Ranch Hand who will be responsible for day-to-day operations, upkeep, maintenance and repair of the farm including caring for and keeping track of the animals, garden, facilities, staff housing and outdoor improvements, such as trails and fencing, in a manner that is safe and appropriate for providing hands-on educational programs to the public. Slide Ranch is a nonprofit organization providing farm-based environmental education to over 10,000 visitors a year on its coastal farm and nature preserve in Marin County. The Ranch Hand reports to the Ranch Manager and Director of Operations and is part of the Ranch Operations Team, which also includes other Ranch Hands. The Ranch Hand coordinates regularly with the Ranch Manager to assist with maintenance tasks and chores as needed or directed.

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

• Helps to care for animals on site, administering medications, keeping animal records, coordinating with Ranch Manager and outside veterinarian when necessary.
• In conjunction with other staff, maintains our substantial Slide Ranch garden for both residential and program use.
• Supports the maintenance of the ranch facilities, including all buildings, grounds and trails in a safe, functional and attractive manner, consistent with organizational values and available budget.
• Ability to learn about and support the safe and responsible operation and maintenance of all utility systems at Slide Ranch including: water system, plumbing systems, electrical systems, appliances, wood burning stoves and electrical heating systems, waste management and disposal systems including trash, recycling, and composting toilets.
• Responsible for supporting the maintenance, repair and improvement of all buildings and facilities at Slide Ranch.
• Helps the team maintain fire safety systems including fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and wood stoves.
• Helps maintain the Ranch workshop and tools in clean and safe working order.
• Helps maintain gates, fences and drainage systems.
• In coordination with the Ranch Manager, maintains and repairs animal shelters, pastures, fences, pens and enclosures.
• In coordination with the Ranch Manager, helps maintain and repair garden beds, hose bibs, irrigation, and plumbing in the garden.
• Assists with farm chore coverage as needed to maintain the animals and garden, including evenings and weekends.
• Collaborates with staff regarding volunteer groups scheduled to work at Slide Ranch in support of facilities needs; leads volunteer groups as needed. Volunteer projects may include repairing trails or fences; garden & animal projects.
• Collaborates with and supports staff regarding tasks for site rentals and special events
• Occasionally serves as on-site staff member for off-hours site rentals.
• As a member of the residential community at Slide Ranch, participates in weekly community chores, monthly meetings, and regular cook nights for a community of 15-20 people.
• Supports maintenance of the Farm to Table Teaching Center and facilities to make sure they remain clean, safe and in good working order, coordinating the storage and usage of both upstairs and downstairs area.
• Supports Ranch team and leadership team with additional tasks when needed.

Requirements

• Interest in sustainable farming and environmental education.
• Previous experience in at least one of three of the following areas is required: animal care, gardening, general maintenance.
• Comfortable working with a wide variety of people and situations including farm and ranch staff, office staff and program participants in an outdoor environment.
• Comfortable and will to use basic power tools on a regular basis.
• Farm experience is a plus. (We have goats, sheep, chickens, ducks and bees)
• Experience with gardening, animals, carpentry, plumbing, electrical or other facilities maintenance skills are a plus.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform daily strenuous outdoor tasks related to ranch maintenance.
• Willingness 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.
• Saturday and Sunday availability is required.
• Computer literacy is a plus.
• Applicants must be comfortable living in rustic accommodations and sharing communal residential facilities and duties.
• Enthusiasm for executing group projects, including working with volunteer groups.
• Willingness to work in a rural and rustic ranch environment. Knowledge of general ranch or farm operations and environmental stewardship is a plus.

Benefits

STATUS: Hourly, Non exempt, Residential Position 

COMPENSATION: $18-20/hr DOE 

RESIDENCE: Tiny house, with $173.24 Housing and Utilities (Rent) deducted every two weeks. First several weeks of housing may be in one of our four semi-permanent and furnished tents at a rate of $98.24 per two week pay period.

SCHEDULE: Full Time, 40 hours per week - Evening hours occasionally required; Saturday and Sunday hours required.

Farm and Community Life:

In addition to regular ranch chores, this position also includes residential community responsibilities outside of the work day, including a weekly residential chore, cooking dinner for fellow residents with a partner twice each month, and monthly resident meetings.

This position requires a collaborative spirit working effectively with a ranch team and organization staff. The successful candidate will possess a positive attitude and strong motivation to grow and contribute. 

Community Living/Eating:
This is a full time, residential, non exempt position. Food responsibilities are shared amongst the residents. Housing is on-site and rustic, in a spectacular location along the Marin Headlands coast just north of San Francisco. 

Benefits:

As a full time employee, this position is eligible for healthcare benefits, covered at 99%. Additional benefits such as dental and vision are available as well. 96 hours of paid vacation per year and at least 10 paid holidays as well as 3 floating holidays.

SLIDE RANCH BACKGROUND:
Slide Ranch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to planting kids in nature. Through our hands-on, farm-based environmental education for San Francisco Bay Area youth and families, we cultivate healthy bodies and minds and foster future generations of environmental stewards. By farming, cooking, caring for animals and exploring wilderness and the coast, we teach people of all ages to see the connection between their own health, a healthy food system and a healthy environment. Slide Ranch serves 10,000 participants a year, with a special emphasis on low-income, urban populations who have limited opportunities for nature-based learning. Our educational farm and environmental preserve is located on the rugged and beautiful Marin County coast, just a thirty minute drive north of San Francisco, both isolated from and accessible to the urban San Francisco Bay Area. We work in rustic former farm buildings on our 134-acre site. We farm approximately ¾ of an acre on a hilly, terraced site with raised beds. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Slide 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. Slide 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.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Local area, Outdoor, Night shift, Sunday, Saturday, Afternoon shift,

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