Farm Supervisor - Steiner School : Mullumbimby [ Feb 17 ]

Position Title: Farm Supervisor

Reports to: Farm Manager

Employment Type: Permanent Part-Time (22.8 hours per week)

Position Overview

Shearwater the Mullumbimby Steiner School’s beautiful 21-hectare site is bordered by a creek, rainforest

and farmland. The property has gardens and a working farm managed according to biodynamic practices.

The Shearwater Biodynamic Farm exists to awaken and empower a new generation of farmers and land

stewards with rich and varied skills, experience and opportunities in biodynamic and organic farm production

and enterprise.

Position Objective

To provide ongoing management and maintenance of the Shearwater Biodynamic Farm and to implement

improvements in line with School strategy and planning.

Key Accountabilities

Amongst other duties, this position will be required to:

● Ensure the overall ongoing viability and development of the farm.

● Contribute to the development of the farm vision.

● Provide advice and support in line with biodynamic practices for farming activities and projects across

the School.

● Ensure that tools, vehicles, machinery, and equipment are maintained in a secure, safe, and clean

manner.

● Oversee all farm resources and materials, including the approval and purchase of goods and services

as required in line with the School purchasing policy, procedures, and budget.

● Provide a safe working environment for staff and students, by ensuring safe work method standards are

applied and maintained in accordance with Work Health and Safety legislation and procedures.

● Ensure appropriate measures are taken in emergency events in line with training provided.

● Ensure that the gardens, paddock, and other production areas are well-maintained utilising biodynamic,

and other regenerative agricultural, practices.

● Oversee the maintenance and organisation of Farm Infrastructure including fences, sheds, and other

built structures and ensure all facilities are secure.

● Maintain servicing and oversee proper and appropriate use of machinery, including RTV and Tractors

in conjunction with other stakeholders. This includes seeking stakeholder consideration for scheduling

use to meet timetable requirements and noise restrictions.

● Oversee the care of animals in accordance with the principles of animal welfare and working within

Animals in Schools framework. This includes maintaining a general awareness of animal health and biosecurity

regulations.

● Complete administrative duties, as required, including general school requirements, animal welfare,

record keeping of animals and registration, Work Health and Safety requirements and School policy and

Position Description – Farm Supervisor – February 2021 Page 2 of 2

procedures.

● Oversee staff working on the farm in employment, contractor, or volunteer capacity, including the

outsourcing of farm operations, and liaise with HR to ensure appropriate employment practices and

regulations are adhered to with each type of employment or volunteer relationship.

● Liaise and negotiate, through clear communication, with internal and external stakeholders, to meet the

needs and requests to the Farm in line with whole school requirements.

● Ensure appropriate storage and use of farm input chemicals and understanding the correct use and

storage of potentially hazardous materials.

Assistance with the Agricultural Program

● Liaise with the teaching staff by attending and contributing to regular planning meetings, preparing

resources for class groups, and setting up and packing down with students for lessons.

● Assist the agriculture teacher with outdoor classes and occasionally within a classroom environment.

Key Selection Criteria

Amongst many skills candidates should possess:

● Demonstrated experience and understanding of Farming Operations including livestock, horticulture,

farm maintenance preferably in a Biodynamic, Organic, or Regenerative Farming context.

● Excellent communication skills including the ability to respond to students, staff, parents, and visitors.

● Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and effectively prioritise work.

● Demonstrated ability and willingness to perform physical work, outdoors in nature’s elements.

● Demonstrated experience of following and implementing Work Health and Safety procedures and

practices.

Essential

● Drivers Licence

● Availability during school holiday periods

● Willingness to undertake a ‘Fit For Duties’ physical assessment

● Flexibility in working hours for school events and festivals

Desirable

● Experience in, and/or understanding of Steiner education

● Experience in Agriculture work

● Ability to inspire and model positive aspects of sustainable agricultures

● An interest or understanding of Regenerative Agricultures

● Certificate II or higher in Horticulture or Agriculture training (TAFE), including use of tractors or equivalent

experience.

● Completed tractor training (TAFE), or equivalent experience

● Completed chainsaw training (TAFE), or equivalent experience

● Safe use of chemicals ‘Chemcert’ training. Note: agricultural chemicals are not used on Shearwater

farm, apart from livestock treatments used as a last resort.

Further information

Your appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Working with Children Check as required under the Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012.

We will be accepting applications until 9am Monday, 22 February 2021. Queries and email applications to shannonw@shearwater.nsw.edu.au or call 02 6684 3223.