Farm Animal Manager
7 days ago
Salem
Job Description The Asher House is a registered nonprofit sanctuary that advocates for the welfare, protection, and dignity of all animals. Our organization provides rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and a lifelong sanctuary for animals in need, with a commitment to end animal suffering and promote humane treatment. Through community education, advocacy, and hands-on care, we work toward a more compassionate world for animals. The Farm Animal Manager provides hands-on leadership and oversight for all farm animal care operations at The Asher House. This role ensures exceptional daily care, behavioral enrichment, intake and medical coordination, animal welfare standards, staff development, emergency preparedness, and complete management of all animal records. The Farm Animal Manager supervises the farm animal care team and works closely with veterinary partners, operations leadership, and cross-departmental teams. Key Responsibilities: 1. Leadership & Department Oversight • Provides daily operational direction for the sanctuary’s farm animal care program., • Supervise, mentor, and support the farm animal care team., • Set departmental goals and ensure alignment with organizational priorities., • Oversee staffing, scheduling, and daily operational flow., • Conduct performance reviews and partner with HR and the VP of Operations on corrective actions when needed. 2. Animal Care & Welfare Management • Ensure the highest standards of daily husbandry: feeding, watering, enrichment, and handling., • Oversee animal intake procedures including documentation, quarantine, and medical coordination., • Monitor animal health and behavior; collaborate with veterinary teams on care plans., • Develop and lead behavioral training and enrichment programs., • Ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations and sanctuary standards. 3. Management of Animal Records & Veterinary Coordination • Oversee all animal recordkeeping, ensuring accuracy, organization, and compliance with state and federal regulations., • Maintain comprehensive intake documentation, medical records, treatment logs, and behavioral notes., • Ensure all records meet requirements for Oregon Department of Agriculture inspections., • Coordinate veterinary appointments, medical procedures, follow-up care, and treatment plans., • Ensure all animal health documentation, vaccinations, deworming schedules, and diagnostic reports are current., • Prepare and maintain documentation required for scheduled or unannounced Department of Agriculture inspections, ensuring full compliance and inspection readiness at all times., • Ensure all files, logs, and digital records are consistently updated, properly archived, and readily accessible for internal review or regulatory inspection., • Train staff on recordkeeping protocols and oversee regular audits of records for completeness and compliance. 4. Behavioral Training & Staff Development • Implement training programs for safe, humane animal handling and behavioral understanding., • Provide coaching and mentorship to animal care staff., • Lead onboarding and continuing education efforts across the department., • Promote a compassionate, mission-aligned team culture. 5. Emergency Preparedness, Safety & Compliance • Maintain all emergency protocols related to animal evacuation, weather events, and quarantine., • Conduct semi-annual evacuation drills and ensure team readiness., • Ensure OSHA standards and all safety protocols specific to animal operations are followed., • Respond to animal-related emergencies as needed. 6. Cross-Department Collaboration • Serve as the primary liaison between animal care and other departments., • Partner with Development on storytelling and impact reporting related to animal care., • Support organizational growth initiatives in coordination with operations and leadership teams. 7. Budgeting & Administrative Management • Support budget planning with the Director of Farm & Facilities., • Submit cost estimates for approval and steward resources responsibly., • Maintain accurate records for animal health, treatments, enrichment, and intake data., • Ensure inventory of feed, bedding, medical supplies, and enrichment materials is maintained. Qualifications: Required: • 5+ years of experience in an animal sanctuary, farm, or large-scale animal care environment., • Strong knowledge of farm animal husbandry, welfare, and behavior., • Experience supervising teams and managing daily operations., • Strong understanding of medical documentation and animal recordkeeping., • Ability to lift 50+ lbs and work outdoors in all weather., • Strong communication, organization, and crisis-response skills. Preferred: • Veterinary or medical animal care support experience., • Experience with behavioral training or enrichment programming., • Experience collaborating on organizational growth or capital projects., • Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations. Core Attributes: • Deep compassion for animals and alignment with sanctuary values., • Strong leadership presence with excellent follow-through., • Calm, solutions-oriented approach in urgent situations., • Collaborative, positive, and mission-driven mindset.