Ross Farm, with white geese gathered by a pond.

Horse Teamster/Farm Hand

Ross Farm Museum is now hiring for the position of: Horse Teamster/Farm Hand

Ross Farm Museum is a window into the past of Nova Scotia’s rich agricultural history with many things to see and do that the whole family will enjoy. Established in 1970, Ross Farm Museum is located on Highway 12 in New Ross, Nova Scotia. It is a living, working, farm museum depicting 150 years of agriculture in the province.

The position of Horse teamster/Farm Hand is an essential component of the Ross Farm Museum staff. This position is a full-time, year-round, permanent position with a performance review after the first three months of employment.

As the farm horse teamster/farm hand you will be responsible for the care and well-being of the horses as well as other farm animals and will be an integral part of the farm team. You will regularly drive the passenger wagon that operates daily during hours the museum is open to the public. Working with the other teamsters, farm team, and management, you will be responsible for the care and upkeep of the animals and horse-related gear and equipment. This includes keeping records on each individual animal regarding health, breeding schedules, feeding charts, as well as any issues, and communicating this to the other animal care staff, Interpretation Coordinators, and management. You will also work with the garden and crops team to use the horses for farming purposes as well as wagon rides. As necessary you will be trained to use each implement carefully and successfully. The Horse Teamster must be comfortable with all types of Heritage farm animals including Cattle, Horses, Pigs, Oxen, Sheep, Poultry {Chickens, Ducks, & Geese. You will also be responsible for the implementation of a regular exercise and work program for the horse team.

We are willing to teach if you are willing to learn.

Required Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of farm life with an emphasis on animal husbandry.
  • Experience teaming horses.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to a continuously changing, fast paced, team-oriented work setting.
  • Good organizational skills
  • Excellent communication skills and willingness to work with the public.
  • Ability to exercise a high degree of judgement.
  • Some experience in crop and field management
  • Some experience with ground-driven farm equipment

Expectations:

  • Able to work at least 40 hours each week year-round, with scheduled time off.
  • Able to work on alternate weekends, flexible with scheduling.
  • Able to manage the horse team for the purposes of demonstration to the public.
  • Able to work 8-hour shifts in a physically demanding job requiring lifting to 25kg.
  • Valid driver’s license

Preferred:

  • Experience farming with horses.
  • Experience teaming oxen.
  • Experience operating a tractor with attachments.
  • Experience operating a chainsaw for the purpose of cutting up firewood.
  • Some experience in a second area: shoeing, carpentry and woodwork, forestry, etc.
  • Language skills in a recognized Nova Scotian language other than English – French, Mi’Kmaq

Cover letter & Resume and all supporting documents must be received at Ross Farm by 5:00pm May 15th, 2026.

Supporting documents may include relevant professional certifications (Chain saw, OHS, construction, First Aid, Drivers Abstract, etc.). These are not required at the time of application but may be requested for the interview if such certifications are indicated in the resume.

The successful candidate will be asked to submit a Criminal Records Background Check and a Child Abuse Registry check available from the RCMP detachment office of the jurisdiction of your residence.

Ross Farm Museum is open to the public 12 months a year. 

Competitive pay. 40 hrs. per week. Bi-weekly pay periods.

Apply in writing via post or email to:

Ross Farm Museum 4568 Highway 12 PO Box 238 New Ross, N.S. B0J 2M0

Attn: Marc Tassé 

E-mail [email protected]

Phone: 1-877-689-2210          

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted

Candidates to be interviewed should expect to be contacted by or before May 22nd, 2026, to arrange an interview date. At the interview, the candidate will be asked to discuss the skill set outlined in their resume and cover letter, be given a tour of the museum and a description of activities that take place year-round and may be asked to perform a practical test with the oxen. This may involve chores, harnessing and hooking up to equipment. Most of the day will be spent on site with interpretation staff going through a regular day’s activities. This component of the interview will be facilitated by the Interpretation Coordinators and Ross Farm teamsters on staff.

Candidates selected for interviews should expect the process to last the day. It is fundamental that applicants are confident they can approach the practical test safely. This will require some genuine practical ability and aptitude. Ross Farm Museum will assess ability to work with animals and team oxen safely and simply require that you demonstrate your experience. Under the supervision of Ross Farm teamsters, Interpretation Coordinators and management, unsafe approach, or obvious lack of experience/aptitude during the practical test will result in the termination of the interview. Candidates are expected to bring a pair of CSA approved Grade 1 – Green Triangle steel-toed boots to the interview.

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your application.