Animal Husbrandy Manager Job on California Ranch

Animal Husbandry Manager Job in California: Full time – Residence at Slide Ranch Required (Begin 2015)

Slide Ranch provides farm-based environmental education to Bay Area youth and families that focuses on the principles of sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.  By cooking, gardening, caring for animals and exploring the coastal ecosystems, visitors of all ages see the connection between themselves, a healthy food system and a healthy, resilient environment. Slide Ranch is located on the Marin County coast, on land that has a rich history in connecting people to food.  The Miwok once fished and foraged for food at this site and in the late 19th century Portuguese dairy farmers purchased the land and produced milk and butter for residents of San Francisco.  In 1969, 134 acres of magnificent coastline were rescued from commercial development and purchased by our founder in partnership with the Nature Conservancy. The Slide Ranch nonprofit organization was established the following year.  In 1976 Slide Ranch became one of the first Park Partners in the newly created Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  Just a thirty minute drive north of San Francisco, Slide Ranch is both isolated from and accessible to the urban Bay Area. 

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For over 40 years, Slide Ranch has been teaching children and families about the sources of food that nourish us and cultivating an environmental awareness of our planet’s limited resources.  We serve more than 8,000 visitors a year, with a special emphasis on low-income, urban populations who have limited opportunities for nature-based learning. Slide Ranch is committed to providing hands-on opportunities for learning about food, farming, and the environment to people who otherwise would not have the chance.

School and community youth groups from throughout the Bay Area come to Slide Ranch for day or overnight field trips.  For many, this is their first encounter with the animals and gardens that are the source of foods they buy at the grocery store and for some, their first opportunity to explore wild ecosystems. More than half of these groups receive scholarships.  Programs serve pre-K through adult-aged visitors with the majority elementary school-aged children.  Our teachers customize each program to meet the learning needs of groups of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures.  Slide Ranch also runs a summer day camp, weekend family programs, and special events.

Through the Teacher-in-Residence program, each year Slide Ranch staff selects and trains seven emerging environmental educators through a 10.5 month residential, hands-on, diverse teaching internship that also includes experience with organic gardening, animal husbandry, sustainable building and facilities maintenance.  Three additional teachers join for a shorter internship during the summer. In addition to teaching duties, all of these interns actively participate in running the farm.

Position Summary: The Animal Husbandry Manager reports to the Director of Operations, and is part of the Ranch Management Team, which also includes a Garden Manager, Facilities Manager and Ranch Hand.  The Animal Husbandry Manager is responsible for managing all livestock at Slide Ranch in a manner consistent with our mission.   In addition to livestock management the Animal Husbandry Manager coordinates with the Ranch Management Team and assists with other farm facilities maintenance and chores as needed or directed.  This position requires living on-site in Slide Ranch provided housing.

Primary Responsibilities: 

•             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 teaching interns.

•             Trains and supervises Slide Ranch teaching interns and staff to perform daily animal chores.

•             Completes daily animal chores including feedings, milking, animal area clean up, and processing of eggs and other animal products, with assistance from teaching interns.

•             Monitors and assist daily chores done by teaching interns to ensure tasks are completed.

•             Plans and leads weekly animal or ranch educational sessions for interns.

•             Manages production associated with livestock, (eggs, milk, shearing, etc.) and ensures that the residential diet is properly supplemented with ranch grown animal products.

•             Organizes and leads animal slaughters and butchering to provide animal products for consumption by staff and a learning opportunity for Teachers in Residence.

•             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 fencing and feeding to benefit both land and animals.

•             Organizes and implements yearly breeding, birthing, hatching and culling schedules in coordination with yearly teaching programs.

•             Maintains official records on livestock health and activities.

•             Assists Ranch Team with construction, repairs, volunteers, trail-work and maintenance projects as needed or approximately 25% of the work week.

•             Completes night milking tasks as needed.

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 workshop, tools and 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 recommended or required.

•             Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

•             High school diploma.

•             Experience with livestock and animal husbandry including breeding, birthing and health care.

•             Commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental education.

•             Carpentry, plumbing, electrical and other facilities maintenance skills.

•             Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform strenuous outdoor tasks related to farm animals; (feed sacks weigh 80lbs. 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 preferred.

•             Ability to work closely and collaborate with a wide variety of people.

•             Clean DMV record and valid driver’s license required.

Compensation:

This is a full time, non-exempt residential position.  Compensation includes room and board, health, vision and dental benefits, paid holidays and vacation, with additional wages of $17,000 to $19,000 per year depending on experience.

To Apply:

No phone calls please.  Please mail, email, or fax your resume, cover letter and three references.  This position is open until filled.  Please note Animal Husbandry Manager Position on the subject of your email or on your cover letter.  In the cover letter, indicate why this position is of interest to you; describe any relevant experience in animal husbandry, carpentry and general facilities maintenance, training, supervising, teaching, agriculture, and previous experience living in a community setting.  Application review and interviews will commence December 20th.

Slide Ranch, Attn: Operations, 2025 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach CA 94965, email admin@slideranch.org, fax 415-381-5762.  For more information about our programs, please visit www.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. Slide Ranch complies with all applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.