Job Description
Job description
Job Description: Livestock & Farm Manager
TUF Mission Statement:
The Urban Farm (TUF) strives to provide the opportunity for urban youth to engage and participate in local food and agricultural systems by removing the barriers to entry such as land access, time, location and finances. TUF delivers experiential programs in animal husbandry, organic gardening, environmental education, and food security that provide practical and behavioral life skills for youth and young adults. Our aspiration is to foster compassion and resilience in people and inspire them to build sustainable, healthy, and equitable communities.
Position Summary:
The Livestock and Farm Manager is responsible for operations, care and well being of all livestock at TUF. TUF hosts over 150 heads of livestock including horses, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and cows. Duties include ownership of all feeding schedules and operations, routine and veterinary care, and the planning and oversight for the living quarters and conditions of all animals on the farm. This position will report directly to the Executive Director, and work collaboratively with the TUF Team.
Essential Job Functions:
Livestock Care and Management
- Schedule and manage health care for all livestock, including vaccines, emergency and non-emergency vet visits.
- For horses, additional care includes ferrier visits, dental floats, and alternative therapies like chiropractic and acupuncture
- Oversee livestock nutrition and medication , work with vets to make dietary decisions, ensure proper administration of grain and medications, and manage inventory of necessary supplies
- Monitor animal well-being and manage seasonal care including tracking changes in animal health, and ensuring adequate inventory and administration of winter supplies
- Manage feeding operations including creating and adjusting feeding schedules, tracking feed usage, and ordering hay, grain to meet the needs of the farm
- Supervise and schedule a small team of assistant feeders and volunteers; oversee hiring and training of new staff and feeders, and coordinate volunteers for seasonal support and emergencies
- Maintain boarding processes for all relevant horses and livestock; manage boarding contracts, ensure timely invoicing with the Executive Director, and maintain partner relationships
Grounds, Equipment, & Facilities Maintenance
- Regularly inspect livestock facilities to identify and troubleshoot work needed to ensure the safety, accessibility, cleanliness, and aesthetic appeal throughout TUF’s ~23 acre property.
- Assist in site maintenance tasks such as waste removal and collection (trash, dumpster, recycling, composting, manure), vandalism repair, repainting, power washing, fence construction/repair, irrigation repair/ installation, and general repairs or improvements that do not require specialized technician
- Develop and monitor program work plans, ordering supplies and materials, work breakdown, and project milestones, while adhering to a project budget
- Initiate and oversee contracted work including the bid process, scheduling, permitting, and service as the primary communicator for the contracted services
- Assist in the cleanliness and maintenance of hardscapes, pathways and roads, in various weather conditions (i.e. spring repairs and winter snow removal)
- Contribute to pest prevention and wildlife management including scheduling services for or performing rodent control, prairie dog management, wasps, and carpenter bees, etc. in accordance with best practices and industry standards
- Participate in the planning, development, and care of natural open space restoration projects, plant management schedules, and integrated wildlife management efforts in accordance with TUF’s Master Plan and the City of Denver’s Department Parks and Recreation
- Activities include but are not limited to pasture mitigation, mowing, tree plantings, compost management, install of native plants, and noxious weed removal
- Contribute to regular cleaning and repairs of paddocks and livestock shelter in cooperation with TUF’s livestock and equine staff
- Perform regular maintenance and care of farm equipment and tools or as needed, ensuring safe and adequate storage
Program Engagement & Support
- Support as needed with “all hands on deck”/ large events, such as TUF’s annual Farm Fest and Farm, Summer Camp preparation, educational and vocational events, and fundraisers by contributing to the organization of parking, proper signage, vendor set-up, equipment rentals etc.
- Use, demonstrate, and lead youth participants and volunteers the proper use of hand tools and small equipment such as drills, hammers, etc.
- Coordinate and lead groups of volunteers in projects involving livestock/farm improvements and management
- In collaboration with TUF’s Career and Vocational Programs Manager, support with the design and facilitation of programming for a group of youth enrolled in TUF’s Cultivating Change in Youth programs to include a variety of educational and vocational skills activities in livestock and farm management and small construction
Administrative
- Monitor feeding operations and ensure compliance of all staff through the establishment of task management software
- Ensure completion and adherence to all records and procedures for horses and livestock
- Contribute to annual budget planning by working with the Executive Director to identify both ongoing and project-based expenses as it relates to farm and livestock operations and maintenance
- Participate in Board and Subcommittee meetings as necessary to ensure broad alignment of planning and mutual expectations of TUF’s livestock program
Education & Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 5+ years of demonstrated work experience in equine management; other farm operations management, and/or related field preferred
Qualifications
- A commitment to The Urban Farm’s mission and vision
- Proven expertise and experience in equine care and management
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communications skills and techniques, with a demonstrated ability to work well with other staff, program participants, youth and volunteers of diverse backgrounds and abilities
- Ability to work in a safe, organized, and efficient manner, with a keen eye for detail
- Experience using hand tools, power tools, small equipment & large equipment (i.e. tractor, disk, manure spread, drag, truck, trailer, drill, saws, nail gun etc.)
- Ability to develop, plan and implement short and long-range goals, establish priorities and organize resources
- Ability to encourage, motivate, supervise and organize work crews and volunteers
- Basic computer and email skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred
- Veterinarian/Tech Experience or Education
- A minimum of 2 or more years of experience working with a team in a startup and/or high-growth environment
- Demonstrated experience with livestock management (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, poultry, etc.)
Work Environment:
- Majority of time will be spent outdoors in all weather conditions
- May be exposed to loud noises while using equipment
- Weekend and holiday hours will be required
- Will be required to work when The Urban Farm is closed due to severe weather or closures
- Work is accomplished with moderate supervision
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift/carry 50+ lbs
- Requires prolonged walking, sitting, and standing
- Requires a full range of physical motion to operate equipment and complete tasks
- Successful performance requires specific vision abilities that include close to far vision, to include depth perception and visual accuracy
Certificates, Licenses and Registrations
- Valid U.S. Drivers’ license and the ability to be insured by The Urban Farm
Compensation & Benefits
- This is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week. Starting salary will be depending on experience and qualifications; however, the starting salary for this position is $45,000 - $55,000/year
- All salaried, full-time candidates are eligible for our generous, flexible vacation policy, Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) Plan, and 401(k) employer match
To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, and three professional/academic references to Roth Vowels, Director of Operations at roth@theurbanfarm.org. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until August 26th, 2024. Please use the subject line “YourLast Name_Livestock & Farm Manager”.
Additional Information
The Urban Farm provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.
Employment is pending successfully passing a criminal background check.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Holidays
- Weekends as needed
Experience:
- Equine: 5 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Denver, CO 80239 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Denver, CO 80239: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Work experience placement, Summer work, Seasonal work, Local area, Relocation, Outdoor, Flexible hours, Shift work, Weekend work,