Farm Educator Seasonal

Job Title: Farm Educator Seasonal   

Department: Education 

Location: 110 Valley Farm Road New Gloucester, ME

Reports To: Education Department Director

Status: Hourly Non-Exempt

Wage/Salary: $17.00-$21.00

SUMMARY

Pineland Farms' Family Farmyard welcomes thousands of visitors each year, and our Educators are key to creating engaging, memorable experiences for guests of all ages. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and connect people to agriculture through safe, hands-on learning.

In this role, you will lead interactive educational experiences, interpret agricultural practices, and help visitors build meaningful connections with our animals, farms, and Maine's agricultural heritage. You'll also be part of the daily care of sheep, goats, Shetland ponies, rabbits, pigs, chickens, peafowl, and other farm animals while maintaining high standards of animal care

Successful candidates are passionate about agriculture and education, enjoy working with animals, people, and are confident while engaging visitors of all ages. You should be comfortable working outdoors, supporting special events and leading educational programs. If you're passionate about inspiring others, don't mind a little mud on your boots, and can laugh when a goat decides your jacket zipper is a snack, you'll fit right in on our team.

This is a seasonal position that will be primarily Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons/early evenings and 1 weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) is required. Additional shifts are often available.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Create a welcoming visitor experience by sharing Pineland Farms' mission, history, products, and services while confidently operating the point-of-sales (POS) system for admissions and retail sales
• Lead our less formal “meet and greet a farm animal” type of experiences
• Support daily farm operations by answering phones, completing data entry and record keeping, maintaining a clean and welcoming visitor space, and performing other light administrative duties 
• Chores and tasks associated with the family farmyard animals, gardens and general farmyard maintenance upkeep
• Communicate effectively with other staff and supervisors to create a respectful and open work environment
• Maintain a safe and organized work environment 
• Provide support during special events

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Experience teaching, leading educational programs, or facilitating hands-on learning experiences with children and/or adults preferred.
•  Experience working with farm animals, in agriculture, outdoor education, museums, nature centers, camps, or similar educational settings is highly desirable.
•  Experience providing exceptional customer service and working with diverse audiences.
•  Experience using basic computer applications and point-of-sale (POS) systems is a plus.
•  Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions and performing the physical demands associated with animal care and visitor engagement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing situations with professionalism and flexibility.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
•  Ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with diverse audiences, including school groups, seniors, families, and the general public.
•  Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills, with a welcoming and engaging approach to visitor interactions.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while also taking initiative and working independently.
•  Comfortable using basic computer applications, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and other technology to support daily operations.
•  Ability to maintain a safe, clean, and organized learning environment while promoting a positive visitor experience.

CERTIFICATIONS 

N/A

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

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 regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms above shoulders and outward; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to cleaning chemicals. 

This position is required to work outside in all weather conditions, summer heat and winter cold. This position is frequently around moving equipment and occasional loud noises. Some task and job duties will require the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). 

BENEFITS

• Earned PTO 
• 20% off Market purchases 
• Free farm visits and discounts on programs