Careers
We are always looking for qualified, experienced applicants to work at the sanctuary. Please email your resume and cover letter to Executive Director Era MacDonald.
We also offer Internship Opportunities for High School and College Students. Learn more
Current openings
Animal Care Specialist
Merrymac Farm Sanctuary is a farm animal sanctuary in Charlotte, VT. We are a growing and ever-evolving sanctuary that is home to over 150 rescued animal residents - horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits. We are seeking an experienced animal caregiver who loves hands-on animal work, strongly believes in our mission, wants to be part of our leadership team, and wants to have fun and grow with us.
Wage: Starting at $15/hr and up depending on experience and resume
Hours: Part and Full Time available
Weekend and holiday work will be required
Job Overview:
Animals Care Specialists work to ensure our animals’ needs are met. This includes working to complete feeding, watering, health checks, medical care, barn cleaning, animal records documentation, and all tasks necessary to keeping the animals happy and healthy. A successful candidate enjoys working outdoors, is positive and fun, and has a personal commitment to improving the lives of sanctuary animals. This position is fast-paced, primarily outdoors and physically challenging. Successful candidates will be accustomed to and thrive in such a work environment.
Daily animal care tasks, including:
Opens and closes coops and barns according to weather
Feeds, waters, and administers daily medication
Completes daily horse turn out and turn in
Completes daily cleaning schedule of coops, stalls, and barns
Provides basic medical treatments as required, such as wound cleaning, eye ointment, etc.
Works with staff and volunteers
Regularly completes animal health checks and performs proper animal handling techniques. Documents and shares animal observations with staff and leadership
Participates in administrative tasks including
Accurate and up-to-date data entry and record-keeping of animal health, daily maintenance, and facility needs
Participating in staff and management meetings as needed
Responding timely and professionally to emails and other communications
Other duties as assigned
Physical Requirements
Prolonged positions of standing and walking throughout sanctuary grounds
Ability to perform necessary duties in enclosed & open environments in all weather conditions through the year
Must be able to perform strenuous physical labor and lifting 50-75 lbs on a regular basis
Qualifications
Strong commitment to the mission of the organization
Keen observation skills of animal behavior
Reliable and dependable with timeliness and attendance
Ability to adapt to constantly changing situations
Desire to be part of a team dedicated to continuous improvement
Emotional maturity and ability to work well with a positive tone with a variety of people
Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in fast-paced work environment
Excellent time management and communication skills
Willingness to work weekends and holidays
Must have or be working towards a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle
Valid driver’s license with clean driving record required
Experience with farmed animals or horses preferred
Vet Tech background preferred or willingness to learn
Ability to operate farm equipment such as a tractor, hay elevator, etc. preferred