Assistant Farm Manager

I. Job Overview

A successful candidate will:

●       Support and believe in the company vision, mission, values, and purpose.

●       Handle animals calmly and efficiently.

●       Effectively assist with daily animal facility operations and client communication.

●       Assist with the development of standard operating procedures, training materials, and company policies.

●       Lead by example, approach problems as solvable challenges, and work cooperatively.

●       Be flexible, maintain a positive outlook, and accept and manage to change demands at short notice.

II. Position Details

●       Salary: TBD based on experience

●       Job Type: Full-time

●       Benefits: Cost-sharing Health Insurance, 401K, 10 days paid time off, negotiable unpaid time off

●       Length: 1-2 year contract

III. Responsibilities and Duties

Include but are not limited to:

●       Assist with the development, maintenance, and confirmation that SOPs are being followed, including biosecurity protocols.

●       Assist with interviewing, training, and overseeing employees, student interns, and volunteers.

●       Provide worker schedule 3 to 4 weeks in advance; include important dates and events.

●       Coordinate animal feeding, lamb watch, vaccinations, treatments, weighing, venipuncture, diagnostic sample submission, barn and equipment cleaning, newborn lamb care, minor procedures, etc. with Farm Manager.

●       Help maintain records on health, bodyweight, breeding, lambing, weaning, production, pen inventory, etc.

●       Assist with design of and coordinate the breeding and lambing program.

●       Manage feed and supplies inventory, the placing of orders, and delivery of supplies.

●       Coordinate sales, prep, paperwork, and delivery of animals.

●       Occasionally, communicate with clients and prepare invoices.

●       Coordinate and conduct equipment and facility maintenance, repair, and cleaning.

●       Assist and conduct shearing; manage wool inventory.

●       Assist with chores and other farm attendant tasks.

●       Confirm daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal barn tasks and chores are complete.

●       Regularly provide updates and seek guidance from the Farm Manager.

●       Be proactive and anticipate the needs of animals, clients, personnel, and farm.

IV. Qualifications

A. Education

●       Preferred, but not required, possess a minimum of a 4 yr degree in a related science.

●       Must be able to communicate well verbally and in writing in English with investigators, veterinarians, clients, vendors, and coworkers.

B. Experience

●       Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience working with large animals.

1. Specific Skills – required: already acquired or willing and able to learn

●       Working knowledge of livestock behavior

●       Shear sheep, trim feet, flip a sheep, milk a sheep

●       Operate a tractor

●       Operate a 32’ box truck

●       Use aseptic technique; conduct and assist with veterinary procedures, autoclave instruments

●       Conduct venipuncture, castration, docking, colostrum heat-treatment, vaginal examination

2. Managerial Skills - experience preferred

●       Teach and inspire undergraduate pre-veterinary students, volunteers, and new hires

●       Assist with the management of employees and volunteers

●       Assist with the management of the animal facility and ancillary areas

●       Provide good customer service

●       Knowledge of lean management – experience desirable

3. Computer Skills – experienced required

●       Must enter and evaluate data accurately

●       Knowledge of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets 

V. Characteristics.

A. Personal - required

●       Prompt, Thorough, Highly attentive to detail

●       Ability to prioritize, Be flexible with rapidly changing needs

●       Congenial, Team-player, Respectful

●       Enjoy meeting challenges with solid solutions

●       Willingness to learn and improve

●       Accept guidance, Follow instructions

●       Guide and lead personnel for success

●       Support Farm Manager

B. Physical - required / preferred

●       Catch, restrain, trim feet, and flip all ages and genders of sheep

●       Shear sheep

●       Milk ewes and mother-up lambs; provide birthing assistance to lambing ewes

●       Work long hours in cold, muddy, wet, hot, dusty, or humid conditions.

●       Work in a barn environment

●       Operate a tractor

●       Drive a box truck

●       Climb a ladder

●       Bend over and squat for prolonged periods of time

●       Lift animals, feed bags, bales of hay, and equipment

●       Repair equipment, fences, basic carpentry

●       Occasionally work holidays, weekends, and overnight shifts

VI. Certification or equivalent – any listed preferred

●       Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)

●       Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)

●       Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)

●       Veterinary Technician

●       Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR)

VII. Licenses

●       Valid Driver’s License – required