Company description

Stargazer Hollow Farm is a community-focused, sustainable farm newly located in Fitchburg, MA, dedicated to growing exceptional heirloom produce, nutrient-packed microgreens, and providing farm-fresh eggs from happy, healthy birds who live outside in the sun and grass. Stargazer Hollow’s mission is to produce high-quality heirloom produce using sustainable, earth-friendly methods and bring the community closer to the source of their food. With a strong emphasis on quality, diversity, and collaboration, we strive to create a welcoming environment that fosters learning, growth, and a shared passion for building a resilient local food system. As a woman-owned, minority-owned, and LGBT+-owned organization, we prioritize an inclusive attitude on the farm team.

Job description

About the Position: Barn Manager
Stargazer Hollow Farm is seeking a dedicated and experienced Barn Manager to oversee the care and management of our diverse and thriving livestock operation, as well as helping to design and implement new structures, strategies, and procedures at our brand new farm. This key role involves ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our animals – including kunekune pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and a barn cat, plus a livestock guardian dog to-be and a few other animals – while contributing to the smooth daily operations of the barn and pastures.

The Barn Manager will lead animal care routines, supervise a small team of workshare members and volunteers, and manage infrastructure maintenance, such as fencing and shelter improvements. They will also play a vital role in planning and executing seasonal projects, monitoring animal health, and maintaining a welcoming and organized barn environment. In addition, the Barn Manager will collaborate with other farm team members to support broader farm goals and activities.

Ideal candidates have a strong background in animal husbandry, excellent leadership and organizational skills, and a passion for sustainable, community-centered farming. This is a unique opportunity to work hands-on with animals in a dynamic environment while helping shape the future of Stargazer Hollow Farm.

Schedule:

By April 1, this will be a full-time role, but the schedule will be something we discuss together and determine the best mutual fit for a great candidate. Because this role oversees others, it will need to have a set schedule that is adhered to reliably.

Barn Manager Qualifications

• Animal Husbandry Experience:
  • Minimum 3 years of experience working with livestock, including feeding, health monitoring, and general care.
    Livestock here would mean at least one grazing animal ideally.
  • Familiarity with animal health and wellness practices, including administering basic treatments and recognizing signs of illness or distress.
• Leadership Skills:
  • Proven ability to supervise and collaborate with a small team of workshare members and volunteers.
  • Strong organizational skills to manage schedules, delegate tasks, and ensure efficient operation of daily barn activities.
• Operational Expertise:
  • Experience with maintaining and repairing farm infrastructure, including fencing, shelters, and equipment.
  • Competence in preparing and managing feed schedules and assisting in inventory management.
  • Knowledge of egg washing, packing, and maintaining high standards for food safety.
• Technical Skills
  • General comfort with the use of computers, mobile phones, and tablets.
  • Existing knowledge of, or readiness to learn, the following software applications:
    • Slack (communication platform)
    • Zoom (remote video meetings, for collaboration with other managers)
• Adaptability and Collaboration:
  • Flexibility to balance a mix of hands-on work, planning, and team coordination.
  • Experience in collaborating with others in leadership to ensure our cross-dependencies are met.
  • Dedication to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for all team members.
• Physical Requirements:
  • Capability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  • Ability to lift 75 pounds and perform physical tasks necessary for farming operations.
  • Ability to safely handle animals in excess of 300lb.
• Additional Assets (Preferred):
  • Prior experience with pasture rotation.
  • Skills in record-keeping or scheduling to help track animal health and farm inventory.
  • Interest in developing new skills or experimenting with sustainable livestock practices.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline