Position Overview

The Heritage Breed Livestock Manager protects and preserves the genetic diversity of rare and critically endangered breeds while actively demonstrating regenerative agriculture and land stewardship on 200 acres of Piscataway Park, a national park and indigenous ancestral lands located in southern Prince George’s County. The Accokeek Foundation’s Heritage Breed Conservation program serves two purposes: the first is to provide authentic period breeds for interpretation and agricultural demonstration; the second is to maintain living collections that protect and preserve the genetic diversity of these rare breeds. We have earned a distinguished reputation for our efforts in this endeavor, and it is important that our work with heritage breeds continue in a way that maintains and enhances this reputation.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for the care and welfare of all livestock operations.
  • Monitor and ensure timely feed and hay purchases, delivery and/or
  • Maintain thorough and accurate breed registration and health records of living collections of livestock to breed association standards for American Milking Devon cattle, Hog Island sheep, Ossabaw hogs, and select
  • Create a grazing plan at the beginning of each growing, and non-growing season using planned rotational grazing principles, then executing that plan, making necessary adjustments as needed based on available forage.
  • Develop a network of reputable buyers and an annual marketing plan to sell, trade, or lease animals.
  • Provide training and oversight of staff and volunteers working with
  • Maintain all infrastructure related to livestock housing and care, including fencing, barns and stables, paddocks and pastures, storage facilities, and related
  • Ensure that all modern tools, machinery and equipment are removed from the farm site, and are properly maintained and stored at the end of each
  • Collaborate with education staff to ensure that interpretive objectives are being met, including but not limited to leading farm tours, assisting with program preparation, and on-farm demonstrations pertaining to

 

Organizational Management

  • Serve as an agricultural spokesperson for livestock at local and regional events.
  • Contribute to the Foundation’s big-picture organizational planning including development of strategic initiatives and resource planning.
  • Develop and manage program and project budgets ensuring appropriate use of
  • Lead livestock work plans and measurable outcomes including staff, interns, volunteers, and Support grants management and facilitate reporting.

Qualifications

  • Demonstrated management and supervisory experience.
  • Experience with veterinary care of livestock including health assessments and administering medications when
  • Attention to detail with excellent time management and organizational
  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Experience with farm machinery and small engine repair highly desired.
  • Proficient use of technology and online programs for record keeping, communications, and planning, including Office 365 and mapping software.
  • Display professional maturity and strong interpersonal skills, positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, strategic thinking, and good listening
  • Have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and a good driving

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Compensation and Benefits

 This is a Full-Time, exempt position with weekend availability required. Compensation will commensurate with experience ranging from $45,000 – $55,000. The Accokeek Foundation provides employees a comprehensive benefits package including flexible paid time off, cost share benefit, paying 50% of health insurance premiums, retirement matching, and paid disability and life insurance.

To apply: Send a resume and cover letter describing how your experience, skills, and interests make you uniquely qualified for this position by email with the subject line “Heritage Breed Livestock Manager” to  info@accokeek.org.