Manhattan Country School Farm Maintenance Worker (Full-Time)

The Manhattan Country School Farm is seeking candidates for a Maintenance Worker. The MCS Farm, located in New York ́s Catskills Mountains, is the rural campus of Manhattan Country School, a diverse and progressive elementary and middle school in New York City. Founded in 1966, MCS has an academic program grounded in racial and economic diversity, social justice, activism, and sustainability education. Through multiple trips to the Farm each year, beginning in second grade, MCS students learn valuable lessons about community and interdependence, nature and the natural sciences, and the regenerative use of our resources, with special emphasis on food, energy, fiber arts, and climate.

The main responsibilities as Maintenance Worker include:

Staying apprised of the needed maintenance and repairs of the MCS Farm physical plant (including farm house, barn structures, fencing, sheds, equipment and landscaping repairs).

Working with the Farm Director to decide which jobs can be completed safely by MCS Farm employees and which need to be contracted out.

Working with all MCS Farm staff of eight full time and part-time employees to ensure a safe environment for students by identifying and repairing maintenance needs.

Participating in the daily and weekend Animal Chore rotation, caring for cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens, including supervising students with chores during a farm trip.

Supervising students with house cleaning chores and meal clean-up.

Performing additional farm duties as as assigned by supervisor

In addition, this position may have the following responsibilities:
Conducting student meetings to prepare for classes or meals

Participating in other farm work as needed, including hay production, maple syrup production, forest management, etc.

Working towards a School Bus Driver license

Coverage for Farming Class with students if necessary

Curriculum development/leading students in building projects

Schedule:

This is a year-round, full-time salaried position covered under the LOC2110 collective bargaining agreement with a starting salary of $45,000 annually.

The schedule is Monday-Friday and every third weekend for animal chores with occasional weekend work as necessary

This includes five weeks vacation, sick days and personal days

Qualifications:

Applicants should be eager, positive, mindful, patient and willing to work with children ages 7-15

Have an understanding of basic carpentry, electric, plumbing skills and/or the willingness to research solutions

Willing to work outside in all seasons and all weather conditions

Flexibility with schedule depending on when maintenance and farm work is most neede throughout the year and ability to cover for farm classes if necessary

Experience in a diverse community or working collaboratively to engage youth in community-building, social and environmental justice, and activism is a plus

Experience in animal husbandry and tractor repair knowledge is a plus

To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume describing your interest in and qualifications for the position to Associate Farm Director, Annie Pevear at apevear@manhattancountryschool.org with “Farm Maintenance Worker” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. For more information, please go to the MCS website at www.manhattancountryschool.org.

Manhattan Country School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies.