Sustainable Agriculture Faculty Assistant
Sterling College seeks to hire a full-time Sustainable Agriculture Faculty Assistant. This position is an experiential, immersive learning and leadership opportunity for a passionate, inspired, and enthusiastic individual. The ideal candidate is ready to help teach students at Sterling College how to manage a diversified year-round farm in a small close-knit college community. This position begins in May 2012.The Assistant’s primary responsibility is to support the Sterling Farm as a living classroom that serves the entire College community and curriculum. The Faculty Assistant cares for the livestock, improves pastures, supervises farm Work College student employees, coordinates with faculty and staff, and serves as a liaison to the community. The Assistant works directly with the Farm Coordinator and the Sustainable Agriculture Faculty team and is responsible for the following aspects of the Sterling Farm:
Livestock:  Supporting student learning on the Farm involves managing intensive pasture rotations, installing water systems, diagnosing and treating ailments or injuries, protecting livestock from predators, constructing appropriate housing, teaching how to formulate appropriate feed regimens, acquiring or breeding of livestock, and general care.
 
Pasture Management: Responsibilities include daily observation of pastures during the growing season with an eye for growth and re-growth, weed and medicinal plant establishment, root damage, manure load, and soil health. The Assistant also structures farm chores so that students learn how to rotate our animals on pasture.
Curriculum Coordination: Collaborating with the faculty and staff to ensure the Sterling curriculum, kitchen, and farm are well supported throughout the seasons. Seasonal tasks include: preparing and harvesting of garden beds, integrating livestock in the food production system, processing poultry, food systems coordination, produce and meat deliveries, and curriculum-kitchen connections, all done with student involvement. The Assistant interacts with and participates in farm-based classes and helps supervise students involved in independent studies at the farm.
Supervision and Training: The Assistant is directly responsible for supervising and training ten Work College student employees as well as structuring and overseeing students’ daily farm chores.
Qualifications: Applicants should have some experience teaching, preferably in a small-scale farm environment, have a demonstrated ability to work independently, have some experience in managing a small diverse farm, and have completed a B.A. or B.S. program in an appropriate field by the start date of the hire.
The Sterling Sustainable Agriculture Faculty Assistant is a 12-month position, with the possibility of renewable, that includes an $800 monthly stipend, housing, meals, one three-credit equivalent course per semester, and eligibility to enroll in Sterling College full-time employee benefits. This compensation package is valued at over $2800 per month. The position begins in early May.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references by April 15th to Laura Lea Berry , Sterling College, P.O. Box 72, Craftsbury Common VT 05827.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (802) 586-7711 x101
Fax: (802) 586-2596
Electronic submission of application material is preferred.