Petting Farm Manager

Our farm is home to a diverse animal family kept for agritourism, education, and the enjoyment of visitors and staff alike, including goats, sheep, emus, alpacas, pigs, rabbits, horses, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, and a livestock guardian dog. The ideal candidate combines genuine love for animals with the operational discipline and interpersonal sophistication needed to run a clean, well-organized and maintained petting farm department in a physically demanding outdoor environment. The petting farm manager must grasp the seasonal nature of the agritourism business, recognizing the year-round guest experience while accounting for the busy summer-fall season and the slower winter period. This understanding will dictate adjustments to their workload, as well as the shifting duties and teams as the season accelerates or slows down.ResponsibilitiesAnimal CarePerform daily hands-on work such as feeding, watering, mucking, turning animals in and out, grooming, and general cleaningCreate, update, and oversee feed & supplement, medication, care, breeding and enrichment plans for animals Monitor the daily physical and behavioral health of every animal; recognize and promptly communicate concerns such as eating issues, behavioral changes, injuries, or signs of illness. Work with vets as needed. Develop and maintain species-appropriate enrichment and socialization routines that keep animals healthy, content, and engaging for visitorsCoordinate veterinary visits, farrier and trimming schedules, and other professional services; attend all visits and ensure follow-through on treatment plansMaintain accurate, up-to-date health and care records for every animalManage animal emergencies as they arise, performing basic first aid and administering oral and injectable medications as neededOversee biosecurity protocols, quarantine procedures, and predator-prevention measuresSource from and sell animals to local farmers at season-start and end Barn & Grounds OperationsMaintain barns, pastures, paddocks, and animal areas to the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and visual appealDevelop and oversee a maintenance calendar of daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks, and hold teams accountable for completing them to standardManage inventory of feed, supplements, medications, bedding, and supplies; order replenishments proactively to prevent shortagesKeep all animal equipment (halters, leads, blankets, enclosures, fencing, grooming tools) organized and in good working conditionEnsure facilities meet or exceed animal welfare standards and that all staff adhere to workplace safety requirementsCoordinate with other farm departments to keep shared spaces tidy, attractive, and welcoming at all timesStaff & Volunteer ManagementLead and manage a variable-sized, seasonal team of staff and volunteers, ensuring they are effectively deployed to complete daily animal chores and maintain facilities to the highest standards. Conduct all aspects of staff management: hire, onboard, train, schedule, and, when necessary, terminate barn staff and volunteers.Actively supervise, correct, and coach all team members, providing regular, constructive feedback and managing performance decisively to enforce high standards of care, cleanliness, and safety.Assess each team member's competence and reliability, adjusting the level of supervision accordingly.Foster a positive team culture by recognizing accomplishments and resolving interpersonal issues promptly.Evaluate team members' ability to work safely and effectively in all seasonal weather extremes (e.g., Maryland's summer heat and winter cold) and adjust assignments/schedules as needed for the protection of both people and animals.Other Support farm agritourism activities, tours, events, camps, and other guest-facing programming as needed Contribute ideas and energy toward continually improving the visitor and employee experienceQualificationsRequired At least three (3) years of experience with the daily care of farm animals  At least three (3) years of experience supervising and managing staff in a fast-paced, hands-on environmentfarm management, restaurant management, hospitality, landscaping, or similar operations where work quality must be verified in person, not assumed Demonstrated ability to assess individual workers quickly, calibrate supervision to their skill level, and make fair but firm decisions about fit and performance Experience managing young, entry-level, or volunteer workers who require significant coaching, direction, and oversight Solid working knowledge of livestock and small animal behavior, common medical conditions, nutrition, and safe handling practices Experience performing basic animal first aid, including wound care, wrapping, and administering oral and injectable medications Able to effectively prioritize responsibilities, organize workload, and respond promptly to urgent situations Excellent communication skills and willingness to engage in open, honest discussionsincluding difficult conversations about performance Demonstrates and maintains a positive, respectful attitude with staff, volunteers, and guests even under pressure Strong team player who is motivated to develop others and contribute to a supportive workplace culture Strong customer service mindset and high expectations for quality and presentation Physically fit and able to perform strenuous outdoor labor, consistently lifting and carrying at least 50 pounds unassisted Able to work effectively and maintain good judgment in Marylands full range of weather conditions, including sustained summer heat and humidity (regularly 90F+) and cold, wet winters Willing and able to work weekend and holiday shifts as needed Willing and able to work extended hours during emergencies or busy-seasons Must have the legal right to work in the United StatesPreferred Experience with agritainment, farm tourism, or public-facing animal programming Equine care experience (our farm maintains a small number of horses) Experience with poultry husbandry and egg production Experience with livestock guardian dogs Animal science, veterinary technology, or related education Experience towing trailers for animal transport Familiarity with local and state agricultural regulations and animal welfare standards We are looking for someone who runs a tight operation with a warm handsomeone who takes genuine pride in the health of the animals, the growth and satisfaction of the people they lead, and the beauty of the property they steward. If that sounds like you, wed love to hear from you. recblid hxjpax40uuuwu2eyrf8ul20vns87tw

Created: 2026-03-09