Assistant Livestock Manager - Dover and Hingham MA

The Trustees has an ambitious agricultural strategy along with extensive farmland, and the livestock operation plays a critical role in managing historical agrarian landscapes and modeling climate smart, regenerative farm practices. Through our farms The Trustees seeks to strengthen the connection between people, place and agriculture. Our production farms actively demonstrate the viability of regenerative, grass-based production practices, meeting public demand for local, sustainably produced food, building soil and increasing support for the conservation of agricultural land. The Trustees strives to model best practices in pasture management, animal welfare and authentic farm-based educational opportunities. Central to this role is careful 100% grass-fed herd management for performance, the quality of a variety of livestock products, the general appearance and cleanliness of the farm, and the way that farm staff welcome and interact warmly and informatively with public visitors and volunteers.

The Assistant Livestock Manager is a critical member of a team responsible for overseeing four primary operations\including corresponding satellite hay fields. These properties include Moose Hill Farm in Sharon, Powisset Farm in Dover, Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough, and Weir River Farm in Hingham. Each farm ranges in size and infrastructure, all overlap with different mission driven program areas including ecology and farm-based education while centering agricultural production.

The Assistant Livestock Manager reports directly to the Livestock and Pasture Manager and oversees the day-to-day management of the Weir River Farm operation in Hingham, as well as regular weekly coverage at Powisset Farm in Dover and supports the overall livestock operations across all Trustees farms. This position is primarily responsible for the care and management of the pastures, livestock and related infrastructure. Specifically including breeding, managing rotational grazing, finishing pigs, and caring for and managing broilers and laying hens. Decisions regarding production levels, breeding schedules, rotational management practices, biosecurity measures and management policies will be made with the Livestock and Pasture Manager, in consultation with the Director of Agriculture and align with practices across Trustees farms.

The Assistant Livestock Manager is a critical role in The Trustees statewide Agriculture team. The position is full-time and year-round with a seasonally variable work schedule. On-site housing for this position is provided at Weir River Farm in Hingham.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee the management of pastures through intensive and planful rotational grazing.

• Ensure optimal health and welfare of all livestock through grazing management, winter feed, appropriate supplemental minerals, regular veterinary herd check and attentive daily observation.

• Manifest a daily commitment to humane animal handling techniques and ensuring livestock have the ability to exhibit natural instincts.

• Manage and continuously improve the grass quality and soil health on the farm through a regenerative approach and practices.

• Foster a positive and friendly work atmosphere, working effectively and cooperatively with other Trustees staff.

• Manage cost of production within approved enterprise budgets.

• Train, manage and engage all farm volunteers through regular monthly check-ins and through modeling and ensuring best practices in working with our animals safely and humanely.

• Care for and maintain farm fields, equipment, infrastructure and facilities including tractors, implements, trucks, hoop house, barn, coolers, freezers, and fencing: basic mechanic skills required.

• Support monthly meat share packing, transport and pick-up.

• Manage and staff events featuring Trustees Grown products i.e. grilling events, pop up markets, monthly CSA distribution, meet the farmer events, etc.

• Oversee safe and lawful meat production processes, which will include the transport of live animals and processed products.

• In collaboration with other Trustees staff, market farm products on farm, and through Trustees outlets, with CSA and retail models.

• Safely operate and transport equipment and machinery.

• Proactively maintain equipment, buildings and other infrastructure deemed necessary for production of farm products. Including appropriately sheltering equipment.

• Execute approved fencing, carpentry and other farm-based infrastructure projects.

• Understand and exemplify the strategic goals of the organization as outlined in public facing documents.

• Use full breadth of Trustees technology tools to remain in contact and responsive to colleagues across the organization.

• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.

• A minimum of 3 years professional experience with animal husbandry and/or production grass-based livestock management.

• Relevant experience is absolutely necessary, and a substitution of a college degree will be considered with appropriate related experience in the field of livestock production.

• Experience in hauling agricultural equipment and animals will be required.

• Ability to safely and effectively operate and perform regular maintenance on farm equipment, especially tractors and hay equipment.

• Knowledge and comfort with all aspects of pasture management and humane livestock care.

• The ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including lifting heavy objects, working outside in all variety of weather and conditions, and working around animals.

• Proven interpersonal skills with the strong ability to work with a team of peers.

• Must be willing to support public programming across the farm – contributing to an interesting, educational and safe experience.

Other:

• This position may require working weekends and long days to see projects through with compensatory time off during the week.

• Valid driver’s license required for driving Trustees vehicles; satisfactory driver’s record check required.

• Massachusetts DOT Medical Card required.

• Satisfactory CORI check required.

• ServSafe food handling certification will be required (supported by the Trustees)

• Satisfactory rental history/references required for on-site housing.

Compensation:

The Trustees offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, vacation, sick and personal time, as well as the option to participate in our 401(k). We also offer the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors, who love the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.

About The Trustees

The Trustees places are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. We are a non-profit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households.

The Trustees offers competitive compensation, as well as the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

Our commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity