Alpaca Ranch Manager in Finksburg, MD

Position Requirements: Experience in operating agricultural equipment; able to work with heavy machinery and lift approximately 40-50 lbs. occasionally; valid driver’s license; minimum of two years working with livestock; excellent organizational skills; exceptional attention to detail; great problem-solver and takes initiative; ability to work independently and manage other personnel; outstanding verbal and written communication skills, ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines; proficient in Microsoft Office; ability work up to ten hours a day five days per week (one weekend day included), and ability to live on property full-time optional. A passion for animals is highly desireable.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate the day-to-day care of over one-hundred alpacas, along with several dogs and cats, as well as one to two horses, including but not limited to replacing old sawdust, cleaning water buckets, cleaning feed tubs, filling water buckets, laying down fresh hay, feeding alpacas grain as needed, turning alpacas in and out, grooming alpacas, inspecting alpacas for illness and injuries, and manure management;
• Manage alpaca herd health including but not limited to weighing, medications, birthing, basic first aid, documentation, etc.;
• Coordinate and assist vet and farrier appointment scheduling and visits;
• Ensure that all barn equipment is cleaned, maintained, and organized properly at the end of each day;
• Routinely maintain and manage the cleanliness and appearance of the property by mowing the grass, clearing limbs, debris, and underbrush; responsibilities include but are not limited to dragging pastures, inspecting property for fallen limbs and debris and removing such content, contacting the tree removal company to remove dead trees, and clearing underbrush from fence areas;
• Routinely maintain and manage the farm equipment by inspecting equipment for any maintenance issues and cleaning the equipment; responsibilities include, but are not limited to checking fluid levels and filters and replace as needed, lubricate parts as needed, check tire air pressure, sharpen or replace mower blades as needed, inspect and replace belts as needed, and schedule tractor, mower, and trailers for service as needed;
• Routinely maintain and manage equipment shed and garage by organizing the equipment shed for a safe working space; replacing and organizing tools after use; maintaining supplies of lubricants, gasoline, and diesel fuel; organizing and maintain cleanliness of the garage, closing doors to limit dirt and dust, and inspecting and cleaning the storm drains;
• Routinely maintain property path by inspecting the path after heavy rains for any damage, rebuilding, patching or compacting as needed, inspecting fence rails and replace if damaged, ensuring the path is clear of debris and weeds, and removing leaves from drains underneath path;
• Assist in the upkeep of the main house by blowing leaves and debris from driveway as needed, as well as assist with assembling and moving furniture as needed;
• Routinely replenish barn supplies, repair parts, gas for barn vehicles, as well as footing and landscaping supplies;
• Routinely inspect and repair barn, structures, fixtures, fences, gates, run-in sheds, etc.;
• Routinely mow and landscape the pastures, paths, and related areas;
• Manage staff and vendors while they are working independently on tasks or projects by ensuring the staff has the needed equipment and supplies to perform the task and inspect the completed tasks or projects;
• Routinely transfer household trash and recycling to trash cans and dumpsters and place bins at curb for pick up; load larger trash or yard debris into the dump trailer and transport it to either the landfill or local dump;
• Inspect property on a weekly basis by meeting with property owner to discuss any outstanding property issues and inspect the property for any damages;
• Perform seasonal maintenance of the property by blowing and removing leaves, weed whacking and mowing areas not serviced by landscapers, mulching trees on all areas of the property, painting structures such as fencing, sheds, arenas, gates, as needed, and removing snow;
• Manage sixteen acres of hay fertilizing, cutting, bailing, and stacking;
• Perform semi-annual maintenance of the property by aerating soil in the pastures, cleaning rain gutters at the house and barn, organizing storage areas in structures, and power washing the barn and structures;
• Ability to navigate agritourism while caring for the alpacas and the property; and
• Accept and follow through with other projects as assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities listed above are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 – $60,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 40 – 50 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Every weekend
• Year round work

Experience:

• Farming: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Finksburg, MD 21048 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Finksburg, MD 21048: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person