Farm Animal Program Coordinator

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

Do you love animals, nature, and helping people of all ages connect with farm life? Kelsey Creek Farm is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Farm Animal Program Coordinator to join the team!

In this unique and rewarding role, you’ll have many responsibilities, from caring for farm animals and maintaining the barnyard, to leading hands-on programs for kids, teens, and families. You'll be the welcoming face for daily farm visitors, and a key player in bringing the magic of Kelsey Creek Farm to life through camps, classes, and group tours.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working outdoors, thrives in a people-centered environment, and has a passion for teaching and mentoring. You’ll also help guide and supervise a dedicated crew of part-time staff and volunteers, ensuring the animals are well cared for, the grounds are thriving, and the programs meet the needs of the community.

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and help create memorable experiences in one of Bellevue’s most beloved parks, we’d love to meet you!

City Council Vision Statement: Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services Vision: In Bellevue everyone can connect to each other and to nature through experiences that help them to live, grow, and thrive.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services Mission: We build a healthy community through an integrated system of exceptional parks, natural areas, recreation, arts and culture, and a broad base of community services.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services Equity Statement: A System of Fairness - Equity acknowledges and removes disparities in opportunities, power, and resources so that everyone can reach their full potential to thrive. Bellevue Parks & Community Services practices equity, which is the responsibility of every individual in the department. Equitable access is a right, not a privilege, and is fundamental to our mission of serving all people. Through equitable policies and practices, we cultivate ties that connect people to the fabric of our community

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the supervision of daily animal care and barnyard maintenance, including cleaning and manual labor chores, animal feeding, handling, and grooming. Animals include horses, ponies, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and cats. Perform these functions when the Recreation Technicians and Partially Benefitted Employees have days off.
• Supervise maintenance of clean, safe, and organized spaces both inside the buildings and throughout the barnyard.
• Monitor and care for the health and behavior of the animals. Respond promptly as appropriate, which can include providing first aid, contacting veterinarians, transporting animals to veterinarians, and communicating with the Community Services Supervisor. Be available for on-call animal health emergencies.
• Schedule and administer routine health care appointments and procedures.
• Perform first aid and basic medical care for animals, including hoof and nail trimming, bathing, and administering medications orally, topically, and through subcutaneous injections.
• Maintain animal health records.
• Create and maintain relationships with veterinarians, farriers, and other professionals.
• Monitor animal population and monitor the competing needs of space and programs. Obtain farm animals and complete the adoption process in cooperation with the Community Services Supervisor. Maintain relationships with farmers to enable borrowing animals.
• Monitor inventories of hay, feed, supplements, shavings, and other supplies. Order all supplies in a timely manner and facilitate on-site deliveries and off-site pickups.
• Develop and follow safety protocols and biosecurity measures.
• Planning and maintenance of the garden areas and composting process.
• Operate and maintain farm equipment and tools. Drive farm vehicles, including trucks, tractors, and utility vehicles safely in different weather conditions, traffic conditions, and on a public site. Ability to drive a manual transmission vehicle.
• Prepare facilities and animals for participation in programs and special events. Handle animals for contractors and staff in programs and special events.
• Coordinate projects with Eagle Scouts.
• Design, prepare, lead, and evaluate a variety of programs on various topics to diverse populations. This ranges from small parent-child classes, to summer day camps, and special events with large audiences and ranges from programs about agriculture, animals, history. Participant ages range from preschool to adults.
• Assist with special event planning and implementation.
• Maintain animal sponsorship program.
• Perform various office tasks, including maintaining a variety of records, notetaking, writing and proofreading a variety of documents, producing marketing materials, and providing customer service by phone, email, and in person. Create social media posts and maintain social media pages.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Make decisions and perform work with minimal direction from supervisor.
• Work under the general supervision of the Community Services Supervisor.
• Exercise supervision of Partially Benefitted Employees, and volunteers, as assigned.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate Partially Benefitted Employees.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate contractors.

Qualifications

Knowledge, abilities, skills, and requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to provide excellent customer service to the public over the phone, by email, in the office, during programs, and to the general public on site.
• Strong communication skills. Ability to communicate concisely and articulately both orally and in writing. Ability to give and follow instructions.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public sector organization, program operations, and project management. Ability to follow City regulations relevant to the program area and departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to work various schedules, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Flexible to work beyond normal shift hours.
• Ability to work in a variable environment. Ability to handle multiple tasks at once, deal with frequent interruptions, and prioritize competing tasks.
• Strong observation skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent time management skills. Able to follow schedules and meet deadlines.
• Skill in typing and using computers. Ability to learn software applications as assigned. Perform basic mathematics.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements:

• Previous experience working with farm animals is required.
• Education in animal sciences or a related field is desirable.
• Education and/or experience in horticulture is desirable.
• Previous work directly and regularly with the general public is required.
• Experience in recreation programming is desirable.
• Acquire and maintain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• No history of conviction or crime against any person and no finding in any legal actions of having sexually assaulted or exploited or physically abused any minor.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands:

Work is performed outside and in a farm environment in varying conditions, including temperature variation and exposure to sun, wind, rain, snow, dust, pollen, vegetations, feathers, animal fur, manure, hay, and grasses. Must be able to work outside for extended periods of time in all weather and environmental conditions.

• Safely lead and handle large and small animals for care and program use that weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
• Must be able to lift and carry 60 pounds, and push, pull, or wheelbarrow up to 300 pounds.
• Ability to perform work that is strenuous and/or repetitive.
• Ability to work among various noise levels ranging from quiet to very loud.
• Work involves fine motor skills, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, reaching above head with hands and arms, climbing, balancing, lifting, bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, walking on uneven surfaces, sitting and kneeling on the ground, climbing stairs and ladders, and ability to stand for extended periods. Near and distance vision and the ability to adjust vision.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or [email protected]. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

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