About the Role

Capable and compassionate, animal caretaker with maintenance skills and land management expertise or a strong aptitude to learn.

Responsibilities include

• Working with large and small farm animals
• Conducting animal feeding – Make food bowls and keep feed supplies organized
• Conducting care routines – Health checks and daily observation of animals
• General wound care and administering medications
• Perform animal grooming routines (ie nail trimming, brushing, sunscreen application)
• Cleaning bowls, farm items, animal enclosures, and/or animal bedding
• Regular barn and coop mucking
• Daily cleaning of animal waste and composting
• Maintaining and cleaning water bowls/troughs throughout the pasture
• Daily sweeping and general cleaning of animal prep area
• Supply animal enrichment as needed
• General groundskeeping, landscaping, and maintaining the land (ie digging trenches, shoveling wallows, laying tarps, clearing snow, etc.)
• Adapting to weather changes
• Operating farm equipment (ie mower, Gator ATV, drill/tools, ladder, rakes, shovels, etc)
• Assist in creating new enclosures and maintain existing structures (ie repairs, repaint, etc)
• Assist in recruiting and training volunteers, participating in volunteer days and other sanctuary events as needed

Physical Requirements

• Lots of walking throughout sanctuary grounds (much of the land is sloped)
• Must be able and willing to lift 50lbs (ie. water buckets, or feed bags, or litter boxes)
• Must be able to bend, lift, push, stoop, stretch, climb, crawl and other physical activities as needed
• Must be able and willing to work in all four seasons in any weather condition

Candidate MUST

• Be honest, a hard worker, and open to learning
• Follow directions and complete all tasks as assigned
• Must meet physical requirements and operate equipment
• Pay attention to detail, keen observer, and good communicator
• Reliable, dependable, and punctual
• Be flexible in availability (ie willing to work different shifts each week, work some holidays and weekends) and can make/agree to schedule together every two weeks
• Must have dependable transportation (not uber)

Desired, but not required

• Previous farm animal experience, or have worked at an animal care shelter
• Vet Tech experience
• Construction expertise
• Eat a plant-based diet or live a vegan lifestyle

Position specifications

• Average 15 hrs per week (potential full-time opportunity in the future)
• Pay $18 per hour to start, and will consider $20 based upon experience
• Work schedule is based on morning and evening shifts. Will be Mon – Fri from 7:30-9:30am and some evenings 5-7pm (day of week will rotate). Morning shift may extend to 4 hours depending upon what tasks are needed. Some weekends and holidays (mutually agreed upon) will be needed as well.
• W4, I9, background check, drug testing, and job references are required
• Reports to the Executive Director

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary believes that all animals deserve love and respect, even the ones that typically end up on plates. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit micro-sanctuary with the mission of creating the best possible life for farm animals while inspiring compassion for all living beings. We are located 15 mins from Charlottesville, VA.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and references to Anne Molina at amolina@hogsandkisses.org.

You can learn more about us at www.hogsandkisses.org.

About the Organisation

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary believes that all animals deserve love and respect, even the ones that typically end up on plates. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit micro-sanctuary with the mission of creating the best possible life for farm animals while inspiring compassion for all living beings. We are located 15 mins from Charlottesville, VA.