Weekend Part-time Animal Caregiver

Island Haven Animal Sanctuary (IHAS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving equines and farmed animals and providing them with quality, life-time care.

The Part-Time Animal Caregiver position offers an opportunity for individuals to develop and/or build on existing skills to  care for our sanctuary residents. Care givers will also support sanctuary operations and have the opportunity for hands- on learning and other educational resources and workshops.

Ideal for: Someone with farm experience (though we will train), horse experience, veterinary assistant or technician, animal shelter experience. A commitment to ongoing learning is a requirement for this job.

Please Note: Individuals who wish to be considered for the Animal Caregiver position must agree to a minimum one-year commitment. Animal Caregivers are considered Essential Staff. Caregivers will be required   to work weekends and some holidays. The work is complex and highly structured to maintain consistent high standards of care. At the Sanctuary  we practice a sustainable and ecological approach to all aspects of animal care and the environment.

Island Haven Animal Sanctuary has a unique and highly involved Animal Wellness Care Program that takes an extensive amount of training and on-the-job learning in order to become proficient in the work that we do here. As such, the first 3 months of your one year commitment will be considered an Animal Caregiver Apprenticeship. Those who are motivated to learn and to be taught will have a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and knowledge about caregiving for equines and farmed animals.

This work requires a high degree of self-reflection, personal self-development and overall mental, emotional and physical fitness and stamina. An understanding and commitment to the Island Haven Animal Sanctuary’s mission and goals is essential.

Experience/Requirements:

•    Experience with horses, farmed animals or companion animals preferred.

•    Demonstrates personal accountability to ensure that all assignments are completed effectively and in a timely manner.

•    Accurate, appropriate, clear and concise hand-written and verbal communication skills.

•    Strong listening skills.

•    Demonstrates the ability to create and encourage a positive work environment.

•    Team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with a variety of people.

•    Ability to work with changing priorities.

•    Calm, pleasant and empathetic demeanor.

•    Must have reliable form of transportation.

Responsibilities and Duties:

•    Able to consistently follow IHAS directives for animal care.

•    Able to perform tasks that involve all aspects of daily care and the feeding of horses, goats, cows and poultry, as well as the maintenance of their living areas, inside/outside.

•    Individualized feeding according to guidelines. Maintaining clean and safe grounds and barns including mucking stalls, poop scooping, raking, sweeping, shoveling, trash removal, scrubbing, watering, and other tasks.

•    Thorough housekeeping to ensure the upkeep of a healthy, clean and organized interior living environment for the animals.

•    Assist with animal health checks and maintain animal care plans.

•    Observing, recording and discussing animal conditions and behaviors.

•    Other tasks and duties as needed.

Physical Requirements:

•    Able to perform strenuous manual labor.

•    Able to work around large animals with barn tools and equipment.

•    Able to work out of doors in extreme weather conditions.

•    Able to work with hay, dirt and dust.

•    Able to easily bend, stoop, kneel, lift and carry large and awkward items up to 50 lbs regularly and able to push 150 lbs in a wheelbarrow or pull in a cart.

Benefits:

•     IHAS provides the opportunity to learn to be present and supportive in animal care.

•     Develop knowledge and practice of our exclusive Wellness Care Program.

•     Opportunity to learn from and interact with our sanctuary animal residents.

•     Working with like-minded and committed animal caregivers.

•     Develop skills in emergency situations.

•     Gain valuable experience to support interest in future non-profit employment, especially within vegan, animal rights, and sanctuary organizations.

No smoking or drug use. Background check required.