Animal Husbandry - Farm Hand overview:

The Farm Hand - Animal Husbandry reports to the Head of Animal Husbandry and is charged with daily animal husbandry tasks and pasture maintenance, ensuring the Farm’s livestock and pastures are productive, healthy, accessible and within a regenerative agriculture framework.

Working in a team across a range of animals including cows, sheep, horses, pigs, poultry, guinea pigs, peafowl and cats, the animal team works to make sure all the animals are healthy and have high animal welfare whilst also demonstrating cutting edge agricultural practices and engaging with members of the community. The animal husbandry team are key to keeping CCF at the forefront of urban agricultural innovation with lateral thinking and husbandry techniques coming to the fore through longer term planning as well as through daily care of the animals.

Organisational overview:

The Collingwood Children’s Farm is an iconic not-for-profit urban farm situated on the Yarra River in Melbourne. Boasting an extensive range of animals and garden spaces, it is open to the public all year round offering visitors the experience of farm life in the inner city.

The farm operates a range of programs and activities supporting children and people of disadvantage via their school educational tours, Young Farmers and disability programs. It also plays a key role in engaging the community by hosting a number of popular events that promote agriculture and local produce in Victoria.

CCF is a vibrant working farm that strives to support the urban community to connect to where their food comes from and inspire the next generation of young farmers. All aspects of the bustling farm environment come together to support those experiencing adversity as well as demonstrating the benefits of urban agriculture under a regenerative agriculture framework.

The success of the farm relies heavily on word of mouth and the community effort with staff and volunteers working collaboratively to maintain the farm, keep it sustainable and to ensure visitors have a great experience.

To learn more about CCF and our mission please visit our website.

Key Selection Criteria

This role requires availability on weekdays and weekends. It is expected that the successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrated experience in providing animal husbandry to a wide variety of farm animals and an understanding of pasture management.
• Demonstrated understanding of animal welfare in an urban environment.
• Demonstrated experience of working with large animals (horses, cows).
• Open to new ideas and willing to embrace change in the face of ever-changing trends and landscapes.
• Experience in working with people and groups from diverse communities.
• Self-starter who is willing to be accountable to stated goals.
• Understanding and experience directing volunteers with differing abilities.

Highly Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience of providing group instruction.
• Experience in transporting large animals (horse floats and trailers)
• Computer skills; proficiency in Microsoft applications.
• Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.

next steps

Child-safe organisation: CCF has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation. All CCF staff must have a current Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

COVID-19 vaccination certificate required upon employment.

For more information on the role please call CCF reception 03 9417 5806 or email enquiries to [email protected], using the subject line: Farm Hand - Animal Husbandry enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

Position is full-time preferred, however part-time (minimum FTE 0.6) would be considered for the right candidate.

A position description is attached.