Job Summary
Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS) is seeking a Health Care Manager who wants to use their skills and passion to advance farmed animal protection. The Health Care Manager is responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of 10 species of farmed animals who call CAS home. The Health Care Manager must have a passion for our mission, be committed to veganism, experienced in the care of farmed animals and horses, physically able to perform strenuous health care duties, be highly organized, and able to efficiently manage administrative tasks while also training and supporting the animal care team and responding to unexpected day-to-day demands. Equally important, as a representative of CAS, the Health Care Manager must always lead with love, acting in a kind and professional manner at all times with colleagues, volunteers, and the public. The Health Care Manager reports to the Shelter Director and works hand-in-hand with the Animal Care Manager.
Responsibilities/Duties
HEALTH MAINTENANCE
- Determines optimum diets for all sanctuary animals, adjusts diets as necessary to maintain healthy weight, and keeps feed documents current
- Works closely with veterinarians to accurately dose, manage, and administer medications for various health conditions
- Oversee farm calls, veterinary appointments, and farrier visits both on and off-site, working closely with veterinary professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each animal
- Oversees health maintenance practices for all animals
- Balances the particular needs of individual animals with maintaining the care of all animal residents
- Performs and/or oversees regular health checks on each animal
- Performs and/or oversees medical treatments and care
- Oversees treatment plans and creation of weekly med sheets
- Diligently manages conditions such as hoof issues, skin and coat conditions, parasites, arthritis management, and overweight/underweight animals to ensure immediate resolution
- Performs or delegates thorough, hands-on, health exams for new rescues and creates a file for that animal by documenting the results of this exam
- Oversees thorough health care records for each animal, keeps records up to date in animal database, and periodically reviews these records with the Shelter Director
- Oversees and monitors the emotional well-being of each animal, always seeking to maximize each individual’s happiness through adjustments to/improvements in his/her daily life
- Willingness to provide remote support outside of scheduled shifts by answering staff questions, advising on urgent animal care concerns, and consulting with veterinary professionals regarding hospitalized animals
- Ability and willingness to report to the sanctuary in response to emergency situations, as needed
ADMINISTRATION AND RECORD KEEPING
- Schedule vets, shearers, farriers, and other animal care professionals as necessary, based on seasonal and maintenance needs
- Actively keeps all communication channels, electronic and otherwise, up-to-date throughout the day.
- Assists in daily maintenance and care of healthcare equipment and spaces (i.e., infirmary, HC vehicle, HC office, etc.)
- Takes inventory and places orders on supplements, medications, and medical supplies using cost-effective measures
- Collaborate with the Executive Director, Shelter Director, and Animal Care Manager on animal intake, surrender, rescue, and adoption
- Work in conjunction with Shelter Director and Animal Care Manager on making decisions about end-of-life care
STAFF SUPERVISION/RELATIONSHIPS
- Training and supervising of animal care staff in cleaning, daily animal care operations, medical care, etc
- Communicates with Volunteer Coordinator to efficiently organize daily operations, ensuring proper training of volunteers and volunteer appreciation
- Handles, or assigns staff to manage/coordinate professional appointments
- Ensures all animal care team members have a task list for the day and are comfortable with completing that list when Animal Care Manager is not on site
- Manages animal database development and maintenance
- Maintains understanding of all daily animal care operations and is able to fill in during staffing emergencies
- Directly supervises one Health Care Lead
- Works with the Shelter Director, Animal Care Manager, and Human Resources to optimize the well-being and performance of team members, offering praise and recognition for work well done and appropriate coaching, mentoring and other management to strengthen areas of concern
- Other management duties and responsibilities as needed
Qualifications
- Extensive hands-on farmed animal experience required
- Degree in relevant fields: animal science, biology, zoology, etc.
- Knowledge of farmed animal health and anatomy, including experience conducting routine health checks, administering medications and treatments, and developing treatment plans under veterinary guidance when appropriate
- Experience recognizing signs of illness, injury, and distress in farmed animals and providing appropriate treatment and supportive care
- Experience with responding to animal emergency situations
- Strong and demonstrated commitment to the CAS mission and to our “lead with love” ethos
- Demonstrated capacity to excel as part of a team
- Outstanding organizational skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in fast-paced work environment
- Excellent time management
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Comfort with spreadsheets and database management
- Valid driver’s license with clean driving record required
Work Environment
- This is a position that combines office administrative responsibilities with hands-on care for the animals
- Required to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including (but not limited to); rain, snow, extreme heat or cold, inclement weather, etc.
- Must be able to lift, carry, push or pull up to 75 lbs