WHO ARE WE?
Dandelion NeuroRelational Family Services, a behavioral health and mental wellness agency, is a sanctuary nestled within a serene 15-acre therapeutic farm in Fort Ripley, Minnesota. Our dedicated team provides nervous systems based, relationship-focused support, employing a holistic approach to guide individuals, children, and families through the challenges of trauma and toxic stress. In addition to our individual and group services, we offer an intensive family program that places a special emphasis on parents, providing them with education, support, and a sense of community. We believe in leading by example, cultivating an organizational culture rooted in healthy, authentic connections. At Dandelion we're not just about working for an organization; we're about working with it, fostering a paradigm shift towards workplace relationships built on mutual respect and genuine collaboration.
OUR MISSION:
We're on a mission to foster personal growth and empowerment, providing a space where individuals can uncover new insights, cultivate meaningful connections, and carry the essence of connection and wisdom into their daily lives. At the heart of our mission lies a dedication to fostering nervous system wellness, recognizing its profound impact on fostering connected and meaningful relationships. We prioritize nervous system education and wellness, equipping everyone we serve with the knowledge and tools needed to understand and nurture their own nervous system health. Safety, authenticity, collaboration, and trust are the cornerstones of our approach to building intentional relationships. We envision a world where everyone experiences a deep sense of belonging, security, and self-awareness, enabling them to navigate life's challenges with clarity and resilience.
PARADIGM SHIFT COMMITMENT:
At Dandelion NeuroRelational Family Services, you will be participating in revolutionizing youth and family services in Minnesota. We are pioneering a transformative approach that fundamentally challenges traditional mental health and behavioral intervention models. This is an opportunity to be part of groundbreaking work that is reshaping how Minnesota approaches family services.
This transformative environment requires openness to examining and shifting existing belief systems and practices. We seek individuals ready to embrace relationship-focused care grounded in attachment science and nervous system understanding that goes deeper than surface-level behavioral observations. Our methods prioritize attachment and nervous system understanding over behavioral compliance, viewing behaviors as nervous system communications rather than problems to be fixed.
Part of this transformation involves elevating families by giving them a voice and supporting their personal agency. Our work puts parents in the driver's seat of their care, recognizing the genuine meaning of person-centered care where families are partners in decision-making. Our nuanced understanding of consent honors nervous system states and genuine choice-making capacity.
Dandelion does not recognize a division between the professional and the personal. You are your whole self moving through all spaces, and because relationships are central to our work, personal growth and self-reflection are ongoing job expectations. Who we are as human beings is one of our greatest interventions. We maintain professional boundaries through scaffolding human development rather than rigid external rules, training boundaries that come from within while remaining compassionate, connected, clear, and ethical.
If you are ready to help create new standards rather than simply follow established protocols, then you are prepared to contribute to this transformative work at Dandelion.
WHO YOU ARE:
You are a dedicated and reliable individual who thrives in a dynamic and outdoor setting. Your love for animals and commitment to their well-being drive your work ethic. You are proactive, safety-conscious, and able to prioritize tasks effectively. Communication and teamwork come naturally to you, allowing you to integrate seamlessly into a busy and collaborative environment. You are undeterred by challenging weather conditions and are willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, to ensure the animals receive the care they need. Your passion for animal care and the outdoors makes you a perfect fit for this role at Dandelion.
WHAT THIS ROLE WILL DO
As a Farm Hand at Dandelion, you'll be a vital part of our team, ensuring the care and well-being of our animals and the upkeep of our 15-acre farm. You'll provide daily care for all farm animals, including feeding, grooming, and maintaining their shelters. Your work will also involve regular grounds maintenance, such as mowing, fence repairs, and general upkeep. In this role, you'll navigate a busy client schedule, ensuring a safe and organized environment for both animals and people. This position offers the rewarding experience of working closely with animals in all weather conditions, contributing directly to their health and happiness.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
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Responsible for maintaining Dandelion's multi-building/15-acre farm property, animal care, equipment, and farm-related supplies.
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This position will work, in person, with hours that range from 10-15 hours per week and will include weekends and evening wellness checks for property/animals.
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Daily considers client calendar, weather, seasonal responsibilities, and daily tasks when planning and prioritizing tasks for self.
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Completes other duties as assigned.
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Provide each animal with a loving, structured, and safe environment based in connection.
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Maintain a safe, clean and organized environment within the facility, on the farm and in commercial vehicles.
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Commit to learning the difference between compliance and cooperation and with a willingness to build relationships focused on consent and cooperation.
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Must communicate effectively with staff and be able to work within the confines of Dandelions’ busy client schedule.
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Maintains compliance with state and federal laws governing the work of DNFS, including but not limited to HIPAA compliance and state waiver programs.
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Regularly attends related compliance trainings as required.
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Actively seek opportunities for learning and development.
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Practices humility & self-awareness, recognizing feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow.
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Responsible for building trusted and connected relationships with fellow team members, resident animals and clients.
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Practices accountability in all organizational and programmatic policies, procedures, safety protocols & community agreements.
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Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and continuing education opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.
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Demonstrate sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism when interacting with clients and their families.
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Promotes consistency and predictability in animal care routines.
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Records and escalates any unusual animal observation.
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Ability to anticipate and prioritize activities and work safely within an equine environment is critical.
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Ability to perform physically demanding tasks for extended periods, such as standing, walking, bending, stooping, and kneeling for up to 3 hours at a time.
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Endurance to work long hours, especially during peak seasons, and to work outdoors in all weather conditions for up to 3 hours at a time.
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Skill in using hands and arms to operate tools and equipment, such as shovels, rakes, pitchforks, and machinery.
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Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as feeding animals, cleaning stalls, and handling tools.
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Ability to lift 50-65 lbs repeatedly.
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Preferred competence in operating farm equipment, such as tractors, mowers, and other machinery, which may involve sitting, standing, or moving in confined spaces.
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Ability to move quickly and safely around the farm, including navigating uneven terrain, climbing ladders, and working in tight or elevated spaces.
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Physical stamina to work in harsh weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, and wind.
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Ability to handle livestock, which may include restraining animals, moving them between locations, and performing tasks like grooming.
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Good eyesight and hearing for monitoring animal health, detecting signs of illness, and safely operating equipment.
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Steady balance and coordination for climbing ladders, scaffolding, or uneven surfaces, and for performing tasks that require precise movements.
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Capacity to adjust to varying work schedules, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
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Must be able to pass a background study with the MN department of Human Services.
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Flexibility to work varying hours, including early mornings, weekends, evenings and holidays, as needed to support farm operations.
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Due to the unpredictable nature of the needs of the farm, this role is expected to be available to work outside of the typical working hours to accommodate weather-related needs (ex. snow removal), staff shortages, and farm events, among other occasions.
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Submits expense reports in a timely fashion.
ROLE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
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Provides daily care of all farm animals including feeding, watering, handling, grooming, medication, stall cleanliness etc.
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Performs regular care of the grounds, fence maintenance, mowing, weed control, gardening, tree limb maintenance, landscaping, seasonal décor etc.
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Assists the Farm Manager and Farm Coordinator in conducting inventory, ordering supplies and submitting expense reports in a timely manner.
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Completes building and property maintenance tasks assigned including general maintenance and equipment breakdowns. Ensures timely repairs on equipment or facility issues.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
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Experience with livestock, specifically equines and equine care.
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Previous experience working on a farm.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
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Valid driver’s license with a clean and safe driving record to operate farm vehicles and equipment is preferred.
SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION
This position is deemed as a “Safety Sensitive Position.” Company employees occupying a position considered “Safety Sensitive” under Minnesota law, in which, in the opinion of management, impairment caused by drug, cannabis, or alcohol usage would threaten the health of safety of any other person may be subject to testing on a random selection basis, at the discretion of management or based on the requirements of a client.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
We are passionate and committed to our people and go beyond the rhetoric of diversity and inclusion. You will be working in an inclusive environment and be encouraged to bring your whole self to work. We will do all that we can to help you successfully balance your work and homelife. As a growing business we will encourage you to develop your professional and personal aspirations, enjoy new experiences, and learn from the talented people you will be working with. It’s talent that matters to us and we encourage applications from people irrespective of their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status or caring responsibilities.
Dandelion strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of age (40 and over), ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), family and medical care leave or the denial of family and medical care leave, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), marital status, domestic partner status, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, military and veteran status, political affiliation, national origin (including language use restrictions), citizenship, race, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law, rule, ordinance or regulation.
We also afford equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. For this reason, Dandelion will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant consistent with its legal obligations to do so, including reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy in accordance with applicable local, state and / or federal law. As part of its commitment to make reasonable accommodations, Dandelion also wishes to participate in a timely, good faith, interactive process with a disabled applicant to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, which can be made in response to a request for accommodations. Applicants are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should contact Dandelion to request the opportunity to participate in a timely interactive process. Dandelion will also provide reasonable religious accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
