Goatherd Job on Martha’s Vineyard

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Goatherd Job on Martha’s Vineyard Island with the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank – 2020

Full-time seasonal from: 5/6/20 – 10/02/20, dates are flexible

Goatherd Job Description:

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank seeks two individuals to assist during the summer season in the ecological goat grazing program. The Land Bank has established a goat grazing program with approximately 160 goats to reclaim old fields and manage invasive and aggressive plant species. The goatherds will work with the Land Bank Ecologist and Staff to implement summer grazing rotations.

Typical Goatherd Duties Include:

• Setting up and taking down moveable electric fence at specific grazing locations
• Cutting fence line ahead with a walk behind mower
• Bringing water and minerals to goats daily with water tank in truck
• Assessing the goat herd’s health daily
• Assisting Land Bank Staff with moving the goats to properties on trailers
• Assisting in hoof trimming and worming and doing health checks of the herd
• Ecological inventories

Skills needed:

Successful applicants must demonstrate good communication skills; ability to work both independently and as part of a team; have own vehicle transportation; and enjoy working outside in all weather with livestock. Successful applicants will also have experience working with goats or other similar livestock, as well as experience driving small to midsize trucks, moving trailers, cutting grass/brush with a walk behind mower, and setting moveable electric fencing.

Pay/Housing:

Salary is +$13.50 per hour (40 hours/week). Rustic furnished housing is available with shared kitchen and bath; additional caretaking responsibilities are required of all tenants in exchange for housing. You may elect to not stay in land bank housing if you have your own housing.

To Apply for the Goatherd Job:

Application for employment with the land bank is located on the land bank website at www.mvlandbank.com under employment opportunities. Use the link to the online application form and follow instructions to upload cover letter and resume.

Interviews will be conducted in person or by telephone. Please contact Julie Russell via email at julie.russell@vineyardlandbank.com, if you have questions or require additional information concerning this job announcement

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 1, 2020

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org by going to https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/