Animal Care Manager - Residential

The Animal Care Manager is an integral member of Slide Ranch. The Animal Care Manager reports to the Director of Operations and is part of the Ranch Management Team, which also includes a Ranch Manager and two Ranch Hands. The Animal Care Manager is responsible for managing all livestock at Slide Ranch in a manner consistent with our mission (75%). The Animal Care Manager also coordinates with the Ranch Management Team and assists with other farm facilities maintenance and chores as needed or directed (25%). This position requires living on-site in Slide Ranch provided housing.

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

Responsible for monitoring, health and balance of all livestock (goats, sheep, bees, chickens, ducks and turkeys) at Slide Ranch in a manner consistent with the mission of Slide Ranch.

• Provides animal orientation to staff and incoming Slide Ranch OIs (Outdoor Instructors).
• Trains and supervises Slide Ranch OIs and staff to perform daily animal chores.
• Collaborates with Program Staff to design and implement hands-on learning activities and projects with the animals for preschool through high school groups and for special events.
• Manages production associated with livestock, (eggs, milk, shearing, etc.). This includes participating in regular rotation for night-milking (as needed).
• In collaboration with Director of Operations, manages herd and flock populations, including breeding, adoptions, slaughters and rehoming.
• Administers medication to animals in a planned and consistent manner and seeks veterinary help as needed.
• Monitors animal diets; orders and maintains feed, bedding and medical supplies.
• Maintains and improves physical animal facilities.
• Ensures that all animal housing and enclosures are clean, safe and maintained for educational program access and interaction.
• Manages pasture, pasture fencing and feeding to benefit both land and animals.
• Organizes and implements yearly breeding, birthing, hatching and culling schedules in coordination with teaching programs.
• Maintains official records on livestock health and activities.
• Develops and manages volunteer projects serving animal areas as needed.
• Drives Ranch vehicle to pick up ranch supplies, make deliveries related to animal care.

Other Responsibilities:

• Provides regular input to Director of Operations and Ranch Team about needed repairs and ideas for improving safety and operations around the animal areas and ranch.
• Assists with maintaining workshop and tools in clean and safe working order.
• Assists with training and orienting all staff and interns on proper use of animal care related workshop activities, animal care tools and animal care machinery before authorizing use of tools.
• Assists with preparing ranch facilities and off-site venues for special programs, site rentals, and community events.
• Participates in annual health and safety inspections; implements changes as suggested or required.
• Assist Ranch Team with construction, repairs, volunteers, trail-work and maintenance projects as needed.
• Maintaining financial records for all animal care expenses, managing program on budget and reporting expenditures as needed.
• Participates in regular staff meetings.
• Collaborates with other departments and Slide Ranch staff for the benefit of the organization as a whole – allows for flexibility in work activities
• Prepares report of activities for Board of Directors or as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.
• This position requires working evenings and weekends as needed, in case of animal emergencies and regularly scheduled chores. Regular work week is currently scheduled as Sunday through Thursday.

Requirements

• Commitment to sustainable farming and environmental education
• High school diploma and animal farming experience.
• Experience with livestock and animal husbandry including breeding, birthing and health care.
• Carpentry, plumbing, electrical and other facilities maintenance skills are a plus.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform strenuous outdoor tasks related to farm animals; (feed sacks
  weigh 50lbs. and hay bales can weigh up to 120lbs).
• Flexibility to provide on-duty chore coverage on weekends or holidays/vacations on rotational
  basis or with other days off, as needed and arranged.
• Teaching experience is a plus.
• Ability to work closely and collaborate with a wide variety of people.
• Clean DMV record and valid driver’s license required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Self-starter with excellent organizational and time management skills
• Computer proficiency in google suite is a plus
• Positive attitude that generates interest and excitement in farming and Slide Ranch for all staff and visitors. Ability to work closely and collaborate with a wide variety of people, including children, families and volunteers.

SLIDE RANCH BACKGROUND:

Slide Ranch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to planting kids in nature. Through our hands-on, farm-based environmental education for San Francisco Bay Area youth and families, we cultivate healthy bodies and minds and foster future generations of environmental stewards. By farming, cooking, caring for animals and exploring wilderness and the coast, we teach people of all ages to see the connection between their own health, a healthy food system and a healthy environment. Slide Ranch serves 10,000 participants a year, with a special emphasis on low-income, urban populations who have limited opportunities for nature-based learning. Our educational farm and environmental preserve is located on the rugged and beautiful Marin County coast, just a thirty minute drive north of San Francisco, both isolated from and accessible to the urban San Francisco Bay Area. We work in rustic former farm buildings on our 134-acre site.

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at http://slideranch.org

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Slide Ranch provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. Slide Ranch is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Research has shown that women and people from marginalized communities apply to roles when they meet 100% of the job requirements, versus male applicants who apply if they meet an average of 60% of the requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply so we can determine whether it’s a good fit.

Benefits

This is a full time residential position, 8 hours/day 5 days/week. Housing and utilities are generously subsidized (utilities, wifi, etc), 99% health benefits, dental benefits, 401k after one year of service, life insurance, 12 paid holidays and vacation days are provided. Staff community ranges from 5-20 housing is on-site and rustic, in a spectacular location along the Marin Headlands coast just north of San Francisco. Pay range is $22-26/hr DOE