FEATURED JOB OPENING: Multi-talented Caretaker Couple for a Mountaintop Hobby Farm in Western NC

SUMMARY
Seeking an honest, experienced, fit and active, organized, and self-directed working couple with a positive attitude to serve as working Farm Managers, maintain animals, grounds, and equipment on a non-commercial farm in Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Salary, home, WC insurance and stipend for health insurance. Cleaning service for owner’s home and a fulltime assistant/handyman/landscaper are provided. Three weeks total annual paid time off each for sick leave and vacation after one year. Vacation weeks to be taken simultaneously but in non-consecutive vacation weeks unless agreed in advance. Job commences approximately 9/20/21. 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to handyman tasks, purchasing supplies, animal care, gardening, and landscape maintenance.  At least one member of couple should have livestock/horse care and handling experience, knowledge of vegetable gardening, tractor and mower operation and basic mechanical maintenance, basic computer/ Internet skills.  Must be self-starters, have ability to see what needs to be done, and work well with or without supervision. Positive attitude and interpersonal skills are essential to cooperate with owners, as well as with other employees and service contractors in order to maintain a secure, cooperative, and pleasant working environment. Required computer skills include Google research and expense recording in Microsoft Excel or Word.
Animal care:  Horses (3), llamas (5), sheep (6), 1 goat,  4 beef cattle, 8-10 chickens, 2 livestock guardian dogs, and barn cat; require cleaning, occasional dog brushing feeding,  basic first-aid, and keeping track of veterinary needs and administering maintenance meds; purchase and storage of animal supplies and feed, including hay. Schedule shearer, vet and farrier visits. All animals are easy keepers and not raised for sale. 
Gardening and landscaping: Help with planning and growing an organic vegetable garden; care of the landscaping along the drive and around the two houses to include mowing, weeding, weed-whacking,  chain sawing, leaf and snow blowing, mulching, and pruning; keeping driveway, ditches and drains cleared, assisting in the removal of dead trees and limbs.
House maintenance:  Misc. routine care, minor repairs, basic care of plumbing and a/c systems including ,changing filters, minor troubleshooting, and turning system off and on depending on the season and owner occupancy. Schedule and supervise outside contractors for basic housekeeping, pest control, and various repairmen.  Will need to learn the basics of the computer controlled lighting, sound system, TVs and entry gate.  Maintain the domestic water system and back-up electric generators. Manage special projects as requested by owner. 
Equipment maintenance:   Arrange for maintenance and repair service for owner’s vehicle and farm truck, ATVs, Ventrac mower/snow blower and farm tractor (with forks, bucket, bush hog, water tote and scraper blade), small excavator, chain saws and yard tools, in addition to keeping equipment clean and fueled. 
Financial:  Responsible for maintaining checking account and credit card for expenses directly related to farm and owners’ home.  Keep check book balanced, keep a record of receipts and provide a spreadsheet monthly showing related expenses.
General:  Provide a presence as security for entire property. Perform all required grounds-keeping with participation of owner and full-time helper). The couple (only) will reside in the caretaker home that is provided, with a limited number of pets. Keep both properties and yards in clean and orderly condition. Perform other duties as may be assigned. Typical work day is 8 hours for the man and 5 for the woman, beginning with feeding, checking with owners to plan activities. Weekends and holidays off except for once daily feeding. Very rare weekend tasks are to be offset with comp time). Must be non-smokers, no illegal drugs, but light social drinking is acceptable.  No children. Separate timber frame house, salary and access to pickup truck provided as needed.  Salary depends on experience. Pasturing and barn for two horses is possible.
Required: Valid driver’s license, proof of Covid vaccinations, initial drug test, varifiable references