Goat Work – Crew Lead

GoatWork is a program of YouthWork Conservation Corps, and is a habitat restoration model utilizing goats, sheep, and other grazing animals to remove invasive species, and mow lawns without using gas powered tools, and toxic herbicides. Conservation grazing or targeted grazing is the use of domesticated grazing livestock to maintain and increase the biodiversity of natural or semi-natural grasslands, pastures, wetlands and many other habitats. The practice has proven to be beneficial in restoring and maintaining grassland and forest ecosystems. 

Qualifications/Required Skills:

• Experience in working with youth, farming, farm animals, conservation and habitat restoration, or related fields.
• Background in Education, Social Work, Agriculture, or related fields strongly preferred but not required.
• Ability to carry out projects to completion and partner satisfaction with minimal direct supervision. Be able to communicate comfortably with Project Partners and Admin staff as well as the public.
• Ability to demonstrate and model excellent work ethic, punctuality, accountability, and trustworthiness
• Excellent organizational and risk management skills
• Ability to demonstrate creativity, patience, and good humor while working as a team
• Ability to lead a team, give direction/performance feedback, and support members’ unique needs
• Able to lift/move up to 50 lbs, and climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl,
  reach, and bend
• Mechanically inclined and familiar with and able to model safe use of hand tools
• Able to frequently walk, sit, talk, and listen
• Clean driving record required
• Familiarity with computers and completing paperwork
• Must be able to perform physical duties such as hiking, lifting operating equipment, etc. and work alongside crew members to complete projects which may take place in hot, cold, wet, humid, dry, and arid conditions.
• Basic knowledge or ability to learn how to work with goats
• Able to pull and back up a livestock trailer. Preferred but not required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Oversight, care and keeping of livestock, maintain and manage of equipment, fencing, and electrified chargers.
• They are responsible for daily health checks of goats, including hoof trimming, brushing, and maintaining food levels: Hay/Grain/Water.
• Communicate with the YouthWork Director and Admin staff for any and all needs for projects.
• Develop and maintain resources for Hay/Feed/Straw, be comfortable
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, curiosity, creativity, flexibility, professionalism, and patience.
• Possess an excellent work ethic, a positive attitude, and a passion for serving youth and environmental conservation.
• Ability to mentor youth members and model appropriate behavior, prioritize duties, and demonstrate creativity, patience, and good humor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective written and verbal communication
• Working knowledge of community resources

Ability/willingness to promote a positive image of CFS in the community