Monday through Friday 8:00-4:30 p.m.
Some hours available in May (5 hours/week)

Alternate weeks (when we host our Pizza Nights) will be a long day on Thursday (8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) but off by noon on Friday.

Small Farm Animals—The Farm at YMCA Camp St. Croix

Background

YMCA Camp St. Croix has been providing exceptional outdoor program experiences since 1909. For more than 100 years, and on over 400 acres along the St. Croix Riverway, Camp St. Croix has established a tradition of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all year-round programs. Just 20 minutes east of the Twin Cities, Camp St. Croix provides a convenient location for kids and adults alike to enjoy quality programming in a beautiful, natural setting.

The Farm at Camp St. Croix consists of the High Tunnels, Discovery Garden, Educational Barn, small farm animals in the summer, and year-round laying chickens. These pieces make The Farm at Camp St. Croix the first nearly year-round educational farm in the St. Croix Valley. We work hard to bring participants, families, and the community together through education in small farming, cooking and eating what we grow, sparking a shared interest in growing and cooking healthy food. We strive to do these things in a way that is sustainable for the environment and our bodies, as well as reproducible at home.

Job description

The Animal Husbandry Lead would work directly with and report to the Farm Director to gain experience in developing and delivering farm animal educational programing for Camp Participants at Camp St. Croix, DayCroix. The incumbent would be responsible for teaching classes and conveying educational materials to 4-14 year olds in the animal area during four separate class times/day, five days a week. The incumbent would also work with class groups to care for the animals, and teach campers how to spend time with them in meaningful and respectful ways. This would help participants to understand why famers have animals, and where meat and other animal-based products are sourced.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Develop and deliver age appropriate educational programing around concepts of the use of farm animals for human use, companionship, consumption, help, etc.

• Care for the animals during the summer, both inside and outside of program time

• Rotationally graze animals across the pasture (sheep, egg layers, broilers)

• It is important that this person adheres to high aesthetic standards in the space, this will require mowing and extra maintenance outside of educational time

• Support other aspects of the farm including but not limited to the high tunnel, Discovery Garden, farm store, and Pizza Nights

Applicant Qualifications/ Requirements:

• Experience with small farm animals (sheep, goats, chickens) and the care they require

• A background in Agriculture, Agricultural Education, Sustainability and Natural Resources, Environmental Education, STEM, or Youth Development

• Demonstrate ability to work with, and be welcoming to, people of all ages, abilities, and cultures

• Experience working with children of all ages

• Ability to stand and walk for up to six hours outdoors, be prepared for exposure to a variety of weather conditions, and be able to complete responsibilities in those conditions

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

• An inherent desire to do life-changing work, while listening carefully to others, patiently serving, and being open and kind

• Staff are required to follow policies and procedures of YMCA Camp St. Croix

Time Commitment:

• This is a seasonal, summer position. Summer Camp Programming begins June 1st and runs through September 1st.

• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Full-time 40 hours/week

Compensation

• This position is paid.

• Onsite housing may be available upon request.

To Apply:

Email anna.zimmer@ymcamn.org to express interest. A resume is helpful to learn experience and background.

Applicant Qualifications/ Requirements:

• Experience with small farm animals (sheep, goats, chickens) and the care they require

• A background in Agriculture, Agricultural Education, Sustainability and Natural Resources, Environmental Education, STEM, or Youth Development

• Demonstrate ability to work with, and be welcoming to, people of all ages, abilities, and cultures

• Experience working with children of all ages

• Ability to stand and walk for up to six hours outdoors, be prepared for exposure to a variety of weather conditions, and be able to complete responsibilities in those conditions

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

• An inherent desire to do life-changing work, while listening carefully to others, patiently serving, and being open and kind

• Staff are required to follow policies and procedures of YMCA Camp St. Croix

To Apply:

Email anna.zimmer@ymcamn.org to express interest. A resume is helpful to learn experience and background.