Farm Recreation Technician Farm Recreation Technician

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the “Hiring Process” section below to learn more.

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

Job Summary

As the Farm Technician at Kelsey Creek Farm, you’ll provide essential support to the Farm Recreation Program Coordinator in a hands-on role that blends hard work with meaningful impact. This position involves caring for livestock, maintaining barnyard and garden areas, and assisting with farm upkeep to keep the site safe, welcoming, and educational for all visitors. You’ll help train volunteers and staff, support camps and tours, and share the farm experience with people of all ages. As the first point of contact for drop-in visitors, you’ll play a key role in connecting the community to animals and agriculture. If you thrive on physical work, enjoy being outdoors, and want to make a difference in your community, this is the job for 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

• Perform daily livestock care and barnyard maintenance, including:
  • Feeding, cleaning, handling, grooming, training, and exercising animals
  • Routine maintenance such as bathing, hoof care, nail trimming
  • Monitoring animal health and reporting concerns promptly
  • Implementing pasture rotation and maintaining farm facilities and gardens as directed
• Provide basic medical care and first aid for livestock, including bandaging, administering medications (orally, topically, and through subcutaneous injections), assisting with animal emergencies, and transporting animals to veterinary appointments as directed.
• Maintain animals’ health records in collaboration with the Farm Recreation Program Coordinator.
• Assist with ongoing training of Partially Benefitted Employees in animal care, handling, and safety as directed.
• Follow safety protocols and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of disease.
• Lead, assist with, and instruct programs, volunteer activities, and special event activities, working directly with participants of all ages. Educate the public about animal care, horsemanship, Bellevue’s agricultural history, and farm life through both structured programs and informal interactions.
• Prepare program sites for specific programs, move equipment, supplies, and animals as needed for the day’s program schedule, set up farm spaces for meetings or activities.
• Provide outstanding customer service by greeting visitors, sharing farm information, directing farm users to their assigned area, and enforcing facility rules to ensure safe animal interactions.
• Assist with recordkeeping, rosters, forms, and office tasks, including creating social media content.
• Respond to emergencies and maintain awareness of safety risks.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Exercises independent judgement in routine decision-making.
• Works under general supervision of the Community Services Supervisor.
• Exercises leadership over partially benefitted employees, volunteers, and program participants, as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, abilities, skills, and requirements

• Working knowledge of livestock care and handling for a variety of animals (horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, rabbits, waterfowl, and cats).
• Basic veterinary care knowledge, including administering medications (oral, topical, injectable), first aid, and follow-up care.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, handling, and zoonotic disease prevention in a public setting.
• Strong observation, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and a willingness to ask for clarification as needed.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize competing demands, and remain flexible while adapting to frequent interruptions and changing situations.
• Strong communication skills—clear, professional, and adaptable for diverse audiences.
• Ability to operate and maintain farm equipment and tools safely. Drive farm vehicles including trucks, tractors, utility vehicles, and manual transmission vehicles, in varying traffic, weather conditions, and on a public site.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and perform basic math.
• Proficiency in office software and willingness to learn new applications.
• Flexibility to work various schedules including mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Incumbent may also be required to work beyond normal shift hours for assistance and information in case of animal illness, accidents, or other site coverage needs.

Education and Experience

• Previous hands-on experience working with a variety of farm animals is required.
• Education in animal sciences or a related field is desired but not required.
• Education and/or practical experience in gardening is preferred.
• Considerable previous work directly and regularly with the general public is required.
• Education and experience in recreation programming is desired.
• General office experience preferred.
• Must hold or obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license.
• Must pass criminal background check prior to being hired.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves strenuous and repetitive physical labor including 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.
• Candidate must be able to lead recreation programs and handle small and large animals (up to 2,000 pounds).
• Lift and carry 60 pounds, and push, pull, or wheelbarrow up to 300 pounds.
• Vision abilities required by this job include near and distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work is performed outside and in a farm environment in varying weather conditions including temperature variation, exposure to sun, wind, rain, snow, dust, pollen, vegetation, feathers, animal fur, manure, hay, and grasses. Must be able to work outside for extended periods of time in all weather and environmental conditions.
• Noise level varies from quiet to very loud.
• Frequent communication with customers.
• Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays required.
• Must be able to work in a dynamic, public-facing environment.

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 recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. 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.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf (Download PDF reader)

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf (Download PDF reader)

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

• Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:

Medical

Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City’s self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Dental

Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.

Vision

Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans – Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee’s Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:

More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at https://c2mb.ajg.com/cityofbellevue

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays – The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City’s non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

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