Farm Assistant II

York County, South Carolina; McConnells (SC); On-site; USD 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

York County Government seeks a full-time Farm Assistant II at Historic Brattonsville to maintain grounds, livestock and fields. The role opens and closes the site as needed and requires four years of livestock/agriculture experience.

Workweek is Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm with potential variation by operations. Must possess a valid SC driver’s license, and is eligible for comprehensive county benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• Four (4) years of experience working with livestock, agriculture, landscaping or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Feeds, vaccinates, rotates, culls, attends vet calls, sale of livestock.
• Cuts trees to provide firewood including harvesting, gathering, splitting, stacking and maintaining inventory.
• Maintains grounds, including mowing grass and landscaping.
• Opens and closes sites buildings.
• Assists with special events.
• Maintains and repairs of site fencing
• Assists in other areas of operations as needed.
• Maintains non-historic structures.
• Planting and harvesting of crops.
• Maintains and operates tractors, commercial landscaping mowers, sawmill, and other agricultural equipment.
• Regularly uses chainsaws, string trimmers, and other power equipment.

Skills

Livestock handling

Grounds maintenance

Caretaking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Equipment operation

Vehicle operation

Job description

About Our Opportunity

We invite you to join our team as a full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt Farm Assistant II with Historic Brattonsville. The purpose of this position is to help maintain proper care of grounds, livestock and agricultural fields. This position opens and closes the site as needed.

We invite you to join our team as a full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt Farm Assistant II with Historic Brattonsville. The purpose of this position is to help maintain proper care of grounds, livestock and agricultural fields. This position opens and closes the site as needed.

Projected Hiring Range

$16.14 - $19.37 per hour. Salary is based on qualifications.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am -5:00 pm; hours may vary based on operational needs.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Feeds, vaccinates, rotates, culls, attends vet calls, sale of livestock. Inventories, purchases and distributes feed and medication to livestock.
• Cuts trees to provide firewood including harvesting, gathering, splitting, stacking and maintaining inventory.
• Maintains grounds, including mowing grass and landscaping.
• Opens and closes sites buildings.
• Assists with special events.
• Maintains and repairs of site fencing
• Assists in other areas of operations as needed.
• Maintains non-historic structures.
• Planting and harvesting of crops.
• Maintains and operates tractors, commercial landscaping mowers, sawmill, and other agricultural equipment.
• Regularly uses chainsaws, string trimmers, and other power equipment.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• Four (4) years of experience working with livestock, agriculture, landscaping or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands

Performs heavy work that involves constantly lifting, shoveling, and carrying 35 to 50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis and exerting 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis.

Unavoidable Hazards

Involves routine and frequent exposure to:

• Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
• Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
• Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
• Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
• Traffic; Moving machinery.

Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance

York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Essential Safety Functions

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

About York County Government

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement

- York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement

- York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

Core Values - Excellence through Professionalism

• Respect - respect builds bridges, not silos. How we live it? Golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated.
• Dedicated- strong work ethic. How we live it? Persistence, reliability and commitment to do your best.
• Integrity- do the right thing instead of what is convenient. How we live it? Displaying strong moral principles.
• Knowledgeable- ready and able. How we live it? Having the right competencies necessary for achievement.
• Friendly- service with a smile. How we live it? Being respectful, pleasant and helpful to ALL.

Our Total Compensation Package

• Compensation – competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Expanded Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences

Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.

Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation. Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits series provides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)

Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance

Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.

Longevity Allowance Table

• 10-14 Years $20.00
• 15-19 Years $25.00
• 20-24 Years $30.00
• 25-29 Years $35.00
• 30-34 Years $40.00
• 35-39 Years $45.00
• 40+ Years $50.00

Parental Leave

Employees that have been employed at least 12 months with the county may be eligible for up to 30 days of parental leave immediately following the birth, adoption or placement of a legal dependent child.

Bereavement Leave

Three (3) days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, which includes a spouse, parent, grandparent or child.

Annual Leave

Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.

Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees

Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve-month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.

Sick Leave

Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.

Earning Rate of Sick Leave

Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.

Paid Holiday’s

The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:

• January – December: 3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
• January: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day
• May: Memorial Day
• June: Juneteenth Day
• July: Independence Day
• September: Labor Day
• November: Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after Thanksgiving
• December: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

Training

Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.