Farmer I

East Bay Regional Park District

Salary: $36.83 – $41.67 Hourly

Job Type: Full-time (40 hrs)

Job Number: 24-GB-13

Location: Fremont, CA

Department: ARDENWOOD

Closing: 9/25/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres; 1,250 miles of trails; 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our https://www.ebparks.org/about/mission-vision https://www.ebparks.org/history and our contributions to the https://www.ebparks.org/public-info/awards/un-global-citizen

OUR MISSION:

EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.

OUR VALUES:

• Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
• Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
• Transparency – We hold the public’s trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?

• Working with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission.
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/EBRPD-Benefits-Matrix.pdf https://get.adobe.com/reader/ for details regarding additional benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Park District is currently recruiting for a Farmer I at the Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, CA. The hiring pools established as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any additional vacancies that may occur during the one year life of the hiring pools.

The https://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood/ is a unique and vibrant public attraction, offering a rich spectrum of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. Ardenwood offers a glimpse into life on a family farm between 1890 and 1930. This 205-acre park contains a farmyard with a variety of animals, a large hay barn, an outdoor kitchen, and a working blacksmith shop creating opportunities to make connections between everyday life, local farming history, and the land. Historic buildings and grounds, including the Patterson’s lovely Victorian farmhouse and surrounding formal gardens, give a glimpse of life at the turn-of-the-last-century.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

Under supervision, you will be performing and directing others in a variety of farming functions to support farm facilities or historic farms open to the general public. Functions may include collaborating with interpretive staff on program development and presentations; acquisition, maintenance and the operation of modern and period farming equipment; assisting with the selection, planting, irrigation, cultivation, and harvesting of crops; orchard management; and all phases of appropriate care and husbandry for a variety of farm animals; performs varied public contact work.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Enjoy interacting with the public on a daily basis, including working with volunteer groups.
• Are able to work independently, as well as collaborate on projects with other District staff
• Have a deep understanding of animal husbandry and livestock management.

Essential Functions

• Performs routine and technical care of farm animals, including feeding animals daily
• Establishes proper dietary procedures for grazing, feeding and exercising routines
• Assumes ongoing health care for animals with a daily inspection program, including checking for worms and inoculating and administering medication
• Determines when to contact veterinarians or completes other medical procedures as directed by veterinarians;
• Milks animals and maintains animal hygiene, including shearing sheep, trimming hooves/claws, bathing, and dipping
• Cleans a variety of animal enclosures and farm facilities
• Repairs and maintains farm structures including fences, gates, corrals and animal enclosures
• Interfaces with the public, providing information and monitoring of visitors’ interaction with animals
• Assists staff in developing and presenting interpretive programs

OTHER FUNCTIONS & DUTIES:

• Schedules and directs volunteers
• Orders and purchases feed and farm supplies
• Irrigates, seeds and renovates grazing pastures
• Uses integrated pest management (IPM) techniques in alignment with Park District IPM policies
• Acquires, trades, breeds and de-acquisitions livestock
• Completes park maintenance tasks
• Operates and maintains farming and park operations equipment and tools
• Handles contracts and bids
• May organize programs and events
• Ensures safety of the farm for both animals and the public

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade; AND

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in the routine and technical care of a variety of farm animals, which includes diet, health and hygiene. AND

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification.

Substitution: College level education in animal husbandry, may be substituted on a year for year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years of experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Farm animal diets, health and hygiene
• Organic and livestock farming methods
• Livestock heritage breeds
• Methods and techniques of barn and farm building construction
• Principles and practices of farm carpentry and plumbing
• Regenerative and sustainable land management practices
• Plant and animal biology, ecology, and basic chemistry
• Pest, insect, and disease lifecycles and microorganisms
• Antique equipment functionality and an interest in its history
• Proper rotational grazing with livestock
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

Ability to:

• Maintain physical strength and perform manual labor
• Operate power equipment
• Work outside, under adverse conditions, and for extended hours
• Work with large animals
• Handle public complaints
• Perform repetitive motions, such as bending, lifting, pushing, and carrying, while caring for animals and completing maintenance tasks
• Handle multiple tasks on an ongoing basis
• Safely and effectively operate and maintain a wide range of hand tools, power tools, vehicles, and equipment
• Select the appropriate tool(s) and/or equipment for each task given the type of crop, soil, weather conditions, project, and time available
• Perform welding
• Work closely with concessionaires, including tenant farming operator(s) and coordinate reaching mutually agreed upon goals
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 60 pounds
• Perform basic mathematical computations
• Lead and instruct others
• Follow written and oral instructions
• Effectively instruct and interpret information to diverse populations
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must pass a Level 1 background check.
• Depending on work location and assignment, ability to use a respirator in the performance of work. In accordance with CAL OSHA respirator regulations, Title 8, 5144 (c) (g) (l) (A) (l.), incumbents shall not wear facial hair (e.g. beards, long sideburns, etc.) that impedes the effectiveness of the respirator.
• Must wear a Park District Uniform or designated historic attire.
• Required to work unusual hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Interpretive Host certificate from the National Association of Interpretation must be obtained within one (1) year of appointment.

Additional Information

UNION AFFILIATION:

AFSCME: East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and Local 2428. The probationary period for this classification is nine (9) months.

Internal Promotions: Placement shall be made at the first step in the salary range for the new position (Step A) unless the salary rate at Step A of the new position is less than a 5% increase. In such instances, the employee will be placed at a step in the new salary range that ensures at least a 5% increase.

Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:

• A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and
• Completed supplemental questions Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications.

Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154 at least five business days before the test.

Tentative Dates for On-site Examinations:Minimum Qualifications Review: 9/30 – 10/4Supplemental Questions Review: 10/7 – 10/11Oral Panel Interview: Mid-October Selection Interviews: Early November

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

To apply, please visit https://apptrkr.com/5598238

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