(Part Time) Farm Center Interpreter/Teamster

PAY RATE:  $16.17 - $18.80 per hour DOQ (Up to 1,400 hour per year).

Eligible part-time employees will receive up to a $5.75 per hour retention bonus for all hours worked from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Click here for details.  

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Under the direction of the Farm Center Interpretive Supervisor, this year-round, part time position performs a variety of duties related to conducting horse drawn hayrides, and planning, preparing, and teaching agricultural programs. Work responsibilities in this position involve a variety of duties related to the operation of the farm center by planning and presenting agricultural programs, caring for and maintaining farm livestock, and promoting public interest in the facilities and activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general direction of Farm Center Interpretive Supervisor. Position works independently and exercises some judgment and discretion in completion of duties.

LEVEL  - P3
ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The list below is intended to describe the general nature of duties only. Employee shall perform other duties as assigned.

• Conducts hayrides.
• Assists with animal care as necessary.
• Ability to work with and care for a diverse range of large and small animals.
• Operates and maintains horse-drawn vehicles including harnessing equipment.
• Conducts educational programs for schools, private groups, and visiting patrons.
• Provides safe environment for park visitors.
• Performs other farm maintenance chores (cleaning stalls, grooming, fence repair, etc) as needed.
• Ability to promote and maintain cooperative working relationships with educational groups, park visitors and other employees.
• Work a varied schedule, work any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, am or pm shifts, and in any type of weather.
• Welcome and interact with casual park visitors and answer inquiries in person and via telephone, e-mail, and social media.
• Maintenance of indoor facilities and outdoor spaces, including captive animal and trail maintenance, as needed.
• May assist with special events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – P3:

• Associate degree preferred from accredited college within nature interpretation, environmental education, biology, agriculture, animal science, horticulture, natural resource management, or a related field. Applicants with 4 or more years of related service will be given credit toward meeting the minimum educational requirements and will be considered for the position.
• Experience with livestock handling. Draft horse experience preferred.
• Experience in interpretation, education or a related field preferred.
• Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) certification, or the ability to obtain a CIG certification within one year of hire and maintain thereafter.
• Ability to learn the principles and practices used in developing and carrying out a diversified interpretive program.
• Ability to design science education programs that support the NGSS and Michigan Science Standards set by the Michigan Department of Education.
• Ability to work with and care for a diverse range of large and small animals.
• Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with the public, outside agencies and employees.
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and the ability to implement new initiatives.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate verbally to give tours, lead programs and presentations.
• Ability to use carpentry, gardening, farming, and artistic tools.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to traverse sandy, marshy and wooded areas with even or uneven terrain.
• Must maintain a valid Michigan driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
• May be required to adjust schedule to meet organizational needs, including special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Ability to perform essential duties.

LEVEL - P4
ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The list below is intended to describe the general nature of duties only. Employee shall perform other duties as assigned.

• Performs all of the essential duties of the Interpreter/Teamster – P3.
• Register groups and individuals for programs, create invoices, prepare and send out correspondence, and arrange other school/group visit logistics.
• Develop and conduct interpretive presentations to students, families, summer camps, and the general public.
• Create and maintain necessary reports and paperwork.
• Market programs as needed.
• May serve on committees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  – P4:

• Meets all the minimum qualifications of the Interpreter/Teamster – P3.
• Successful completion of the HCMA Teamster Training Program, and Supervisor Authorization to operate at least one draft horse team for public hayrides.
• Experience in interpretation, education or a related field.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices used in developing and carrying out a diversified interpretive program.
• Knowledge of and ability to design science education programs that support the NGSS and Michigan Science Standards set by the Michigan Department of Education.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED: Personal computer including data base, scheduling, publishing, spreadsheet, power point, and word processing software; calculator, copy & fax machines; phone, GPS unit, radios, automobile and heavy farm equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee is routinely required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is routinely required to run, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch and must have the ability to traverse sandy, marshy, or wooded areas with uneven terrain.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely works in outside weather conditions.   The employee may be exposed to heat, wet and/or humid conditions, chemicals, animals, foliage and vegetation, etc.