Animal Care Specialist

Merrymac Farm Sanctuary is a farm animal sanctuary in Charlotte, VT. We are a growing and ever-evolving sanctuary that is home to over 150 rescued animal residents - horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits. We are seeking an experienced animal caregiver who loves hands-on animal work, strongly believes in our , wants to be part of our leadership team, and wants to have fun and grow with us.

Hours: Up to 30 hours per week

• AM Shifts are 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM
• PM Shifts are 1:30 PM to 7:30 PM
• Weekend and holiday work will be required

Job Overview:

This job is an entry level position that provides the fundamental care required to ensure our animals’ needs are met. This includes working to complete feeding, watering, health checks, medical care, barn cleaning, animal records documentation, and all tasks necessary to keeping the animals happy and healthy. A successful candidate enjoys working outdoors, is positive and fun, and has a personal commitment to improving the lives of sanctuary animals. This position is fast-paced, primarily outdoors and physically challenging. Successful candidates will be accustomed to and thrive in such a work environment.

• Daily animal care tasks, including:
• Opens and closes coops and barns according to weather
• Feeds, waters, and administers daily medication
• Completes daily horse turn out and turn in
• Completes daily cleaning schedule of coops, stalls, and barns
• Provides basic medical treatments as required, such as wound cleaning, eye ointment, etc.
• Works with staff and volunteers
• Regularly completes animal health checks and performs proper animal handling techniques. Documents and shares animal observations with staff and leadership
• Participates in administrative tasks including:
• Accurate and up-to-date data entry and record-keeping of animal health, daily maintenance, and facility needs
• Participating in staff and management meetings as needed
• Responding timely and professionally to emails and other communications
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged positions of standing and walking throughout sanctuary grounds
• Ability to perform necessary duties in enclosed & open environments in all weather conditions through the year
• Must be able to perform strenuous physical labor and lifting 50-75 lbs on a regular basis

Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to the mission of the organization
• Keen observation skills of animal behavior
• Reliable and dependable with timeliness and attendance
• Ability to adapt to constantly changing situations
• Desire to be part of a team dedicated to continuous improvement
• Emotional maturity and ability to work well with a positive tone with a variety of people
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in fast-paced work environment
• Excellent time management and communication skills
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays
• Must have or be working towards a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record required
• Experience with farmed animals or horses preferred
• Ability to operate farm equipment such as a tractor, hay elevator, etc. preferred

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 1 – 30 per week

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Holidays
• Morning shift

Application Question(s):

• Briefly explain your interest in working for an animal sanctuary?
• Are you currently vegan, vegetarian, or working toward that kind of lifestyle?

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Charlotte, VT 05445 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15