Equine Manager

Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, has been helping animals and people since 1873. Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care. Our organization cares for thousands of animals each year—saving animals from abuse and suffering, sending homeless pets to new homes, connecting pet owners with resources to keep their pets, and sharing information on how to help animals every day.

The Equine Manager’s primary role is to provide daily management of the Equine team and to lead the care, rehabilitation, and training of the horses, and improve the health and wellbeing of animals to ready them for adoptive homes. The Equine Manager is also instrumental in educating the community on the care of horses and other equine.

Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 8 AM - 5 PM each day

Essential Job Duties:

• Manages and contributes to the daily operation of Lollypop Farm’s horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules.
• Ensures that the equine have food and water, receive daily enrichment, and that their living areas are cleaned to the standard of SOPs. Performs animal care duties in collaboration with the equine team.
• In collaboration with the Farm Director, facilitates pathway and capacity planning for incoming animals.
• Participates in pre-intake counseling, scheduling, and intake diversion with past adopters and rescue/placement partners.
• Develops training and enrichment plans for equine and works alongside the equine team to implement plans to ready animals for adoption.
• Conducts equine adoptions, including counseling, scheduling adoption appointments, and meeting with adopters to introduce them to the horses.
• Maintains the health of the equine through regular health care with Lollypop Farm and equine veterinarians and seeks veterinary intervention for illness when necessary.
• Develops a schedule and oversees farrier visits for regular hoof care.
• Maintains comprehensive records for animals in shelter management system.
• Actively networks within the equine community to raise the profile of Lollypop Farm both as a resource and to broaden connections for the benefit of horses in our care.
• Develops and oversees educational and event programming to engage the equine community and attract new horse adopters.
• Collaborates with the communications and development teams on fundraising events and promotions.
• Ensures that all equine areas, equipment, and structures are well-maintained, organized, and repaired in a timely manner. Assists in grounds/pasture maintenance (including, but not limited to, mowing, raking, and shoveling, fence maintenance).
• Operates vehicles, equipment (including, but not limited to, truck/trailer, lawn mowers, weed whackers, tractors, and utility vehicles) and attachments (including, but not limited to, manure spreader, bush hog, and York rake).
• Ensures a high level of professionalism and customer service to the team and other staff, volunteers, clients, and visitors to Lollypop Farm.
• Communicates regularly with the Farm Director and carries out Director’s responsibilities in their absence.
• Ensures adequate staffing and volunteer support for the department, as well as assigns duties and evaluates the team for effectiveness.
• Hires and trains new team members.
• Recruits, trains, and provides direction to assigned volunteers.
• Supervises, models, and reinforces customer service skills and professionalism.
• Maintains SOPs for department processes.
• Observes all safety rules and regulations for self and others.
• Maintains good housekeeping.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies and applicable state and federal laws.
• Performs other duties as required.

Education & Experience: High School diploma or equivalent education. Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Science or related field preferred. Five years of equine care, handling, and training experience strongly preferred. Two years of prior supervisory experience including the responsibility of training staff and/or working with volunteers. A combination of education and experience will be considered if aligned with the position.

Skills: Ability to interpret and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to deliver simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations. Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to solve practical problems and prioritize a variety of concrete variables where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions. Ability to operate a tractor, shovel, rake, grooming equipment, bush hogs and tractor rake.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position during shift, move throughout the building and move weight up to 50 pounds. Frequently required to communicate with others. Occasionally required to move excessive weight.

Must Align with the Company Mission, Vision and Core Values:

Mission: Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care.

Vision: A just and compassionate world for all animals.

Core Values: We embrace and recognize that Lollypop Farm donors are the heroes of our work – voluntarily offering time or money, no matter the amount – to support our mission. Together, our core values unify and guide us to provide the best service to the animals, our community, our organization and ourselves.

• Compassion: We show empathy and sympathy for what people and animals are experiencing through positive and constructive actions.
• Communication: We exchange thoughts, feelings, and ideas in pursuit of mutually-accepted goals.
• Flexibility: We are willing and comfortable adapting to new circumstances and conditions.
• Commitment: We are steadfast in our efforts to achieve our mission.
• Teamwork: We collaborate and communicate to achieve common goals, understanding that the organization thrives when unified.
• Integrity: We act with honor, fairness, and respect for animals, individuals, the organization, and our community.
• Respect: We are considerate and professional regard for all aspects of our work.

Commitment to Diversity

At Lollypop Farm, we believe that people are our greatest strength. We are united by our mission - Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and lifesaving care. Our values inspire us to promote and support a diverse and equitable environment of mutual respect where all staff, volunteers, and community members feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.

EOE/ADA