Farm Program Associate

Shrub Oak International School•Lake Mohegan, NY

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Shrub Oak International School (SOIS) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education. As a school, SOIS maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. We are a residential school located on a scenic 127-acre campus which includes multiple buildings and a working farm for student programming. The work environment will include both indoor and outdoor spaces. SOIS is a community of dedicated professionals that work together to find meaning with and for our students. We strive to make every day memorable in positive ways, and to manage students’ difficulties as a team. We are accountable, timely, and show up whenever needed to support our students and each other. We are guided day-to-day by our four core principles: We Care, We are Innovative, We are Collaborative, and We are Resourceful.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years of experience caring for farm animals and at least 1 year of experience in gardening, horticulture, or crop management.
Minimum of 1 year of experience working with children; experience with special needs populations preferred.
Valid driver’s license with the ability to pass a DMV driving abstract screening required.
Strong knowledge of animal care, farming practices, and basic agricultural operations.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform physically demanding tasks.
Ability to safely work with animals, farm equipment, tools, and materials.
Strong collaboration skills and ability to work within a transdisciplinary team.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to remain calm and responsive when supporting students and managing challenging situations.
Must be able to ambulate around the campus, including hills, stairs, grass and gravel.

Nice To Haves

Experience with special needs populations preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care for farm animals including feeding, watering, cleaning enclosures, grooming, and monitoring health and behavior.
Assist with administering basic medical care, including medications and vaccinations as directed.
Manage livestock movement, grazing schedules, and general herd maintenance.
Support garden and greenhouse operations, including planting, watering, harvesting, and maintaining crops.
Follow seasonal planting schedules and ensure proper upkeep of all farm and garden areas.
Collaborate with clinical, education, and residential teams to integrate farm-based activities into student programming.
Support and supervise students during farm and garden activities, including internships and hands-on learning experiences.
Assist with farm-based classes, programming, and student engagement activities.
Serve as a liaison for external farm-related or therapeutic programs as needed.
Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety across all farm environments.
Monitor for safety risks including animal health concerns, pests, and environmental hazards.
Stay current on best practices in farming, animal care, and student development programming.
Assist with additional farm, campus, or program-related responsibilities as needed including driving a company vehicle.