Substitute Farm Keeper - Vallejo

VALLEJO CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Human Resource Services
665 Walnut Avenue, Vallejo, CA 94592

JOB DESCRIPTION
FARM KEEPER
Title:
Department:
Farm Keeper
Loma Vista Farm
Classification: Classified
March 2009
Reports Tо: Principal
Work Year: 183 Days
Salary: See Classified Salary Schedule
Date Approved:

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:
Loma Vista Farm is a collaborative effort between the Vallejo City Unified School District and the Friends of Loma
Vista Farm. The VCUSD owns the Farm and is responsible for the overall administration, maintenance anp
supervision of staff. The FLVF is a fund raising organization whose goal is to raise money to support the Farm and
manage how the money is spent and accounted for. The FLVF also provide support in areas of maintenance and
correlating curriculum to state standards. This position is funded through the efforts of the FLVF through
community donations, fundraising, and grants and is processed through the VCUSD payroll system.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
Ensure safety of visitors. E¹
Plan and implement educational activities for students of various ages and abilities. E
Coordinate and train volunteers and other staff to ensure the animals and plants are well cared for and fill in for
any areas where there is a shortage of staff. E
Seek and maintain collaborative partnerships with groups such as Master Gardeners, 4-H, students in veterinary
or horticultural science, service clubs such as Elks, Lions, Rotary Club etc. E
Schedule field trips and local class visits. Е
Coordinate maintenance. E
Maintain open and clear communication to supervisor and FLVF. E
Provide teachers with educational worksheets, activities and lessons. E
Create structure based around the school schedule. E
Provide orientations for visiting groups. E
Inventory supplies and purchase needed materials. E
Maintain gardens and greenhouse. E
Feed and water animals on a daily basis with our without groups of children. E
Keep animal pens, houses, feed and water containers clean. E
Provide basic medical care such as hoof/nail trimming, immunizations, worming, banding, grooming and special
care for sick or injured animals.
Coordinate feed and hay deliveries.
Keep up to date and accurate records of animal care.
Coordinate efforts of volunteers to care for animals and maintain houses and fencing.
Work with groups of children in caring for the animals with an emphasis on educating the kids.
Essential Duties as required by the American Disabilities Act

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Must meet requirements of "No Child Left Behind Act" (Associate Degree or two (2) years college required for all
new applicants) added 11/01/02
In accordance with the provisions of the "No Child Left Behind Act," candidates possessing an Associates Degree
or higher, or forty-eight (48) semester units, from an accredited institution of higher learning shall be hired in
preference to those not possessing this requirement. Any person hired without these qualifications must meet the
requirements of the Act by January of 2006.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
ABILITY TO:
Ability to work with groups of children: educate, maintain discipline and inspire enthusiasm for learning
in an outdoor setting.
Able to work outdoors in all weather in a physically challenging and mentally stimulating environment.
Able to coordinate the needs and desires of the animal, plants, children, school district, FLVF and public
into one cohesive learning environment.
Detail oriented but able to see big picture.
Organized yet flexible.
Team player but also able to work independently.
Experience and skill working with livestock animals in order to know appropriate feeding and health
requirements.
Ability to do healthcare procedures on animals such as hoof trimming, immunizations, catching and
restraint and care for sick animals.
Ability to manage the growth and productivity of plants in a large retail, demonstration and productivity
organic greenhouse and garden.
Ability to teach these skills to youth.
Physically capable of lifting, moving at least 50 pounds, pulling weeds, mowing, weed eating, digging,
catching and restraining animals, etc.
Must be able to move bales of hay and sacks of feed that weigh approximately 50 to 125 pounds.
Must be able to catch and restrain animals for medical care.
Must be able to perform basic maintenance on houses and fences.
Basic mechanical skills in carpentry, plumbing, garden equipment such as weed eaters, sprinklers etc.
Basic office skills to coordinate scheduling organize files; assist in grant writing and reports.
Strong communication skills both verbally and written.
Computer skills.
Creativity, resourcefulness and patience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Frequency Key: None (1); Occasional - up to 25% of shift (2);
Intermittently - up to 50% of shift (3); frequently - up to 75% of shift (4).
Activity Frequency Activity Frequency
Bend 3 Lift/carry 0-10 lbs
Twist 3 Lift/carry 11-25 lbs
Squat 3 Lift/carry 26-40 lbs
Kneel 3 Lift/carry 41-100 lbs
Climb 2 Stand
Reach above shoulder 23 Walk
Loma Vista Farm Keeper
Activity
Grip/Grasp
Extend/Flex Neck
Use Right Hand
Use Left Hand
Ability to See
Frequencyу Activity Frequency
4 Sit 4
2 Drive
4 Perform Repetitive Hand Motions 4
4 Keyboarding/Mouse Work 2
4 Ability to Hear 

Requirements / Qualifications

Philip Downs