Manager, Animal Wellness

Farm Sanctuary • Watkins Glen, NY

14h • $62,000 - $68,000 • Onsite

About The Position

In close collaboration with the Director, Animal Care and the staff Veterinarian, the Manager, Wellness supervises caregivers to apply evidence-based, holistic care practices to optimize physical, emotional, cognitive, and social health for all residents. The Manager, Wellness provides leadership, structure and support to ensure excellent communication within the Wellness team as well as with Environment, Research and Site Ops teams. This position collaborates closely with the Research & Animal Welfare team in implementing goal-oriented animal welfare programs, including the provision of daily, goal-oriented enrichment. The Manager, Wellness reports to the Director, Animal Care.

Requirements

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout sanctuary grounds.
• Must be able to perform strenuous physical labor and lifting (up to 50 lbs regularly; team-lift heavier amounts regularly)
• Must be able to bend, lift, push, stoop, stretch, climb, and crawl and other strenuous physical activities
• Must be able to regularly perform job responsibilities in a variety of weather conditions; almost all work is done in outdoor setting that is not climate controlled

Nice To Haves

• Three years of experience at an Animal Sanctuary or related organization and manager experience
• Knowledge of animal protection movement, factory farming, and vegan issues
• Proven leadership skills cultivating a healthy team environment
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen and interact constructively and professionally with those seeking Farm Sanctuary’s assistance
• Understanding of animal welfare and willingness to explore innovative animal care care practices that center animal agency
• Resourcefulness and ability to work independently
• Ability to work in a quick environment, handling varied tasks simultaneously while meeting multiple (and sometimes competing) deadlines
• Understanding of animal welfare and willingness to explore innovative animal care practices that center animal agency
• Highly flexible and adaptable to ever-changing and unexpected situations and developments
• Self-motivated team player
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, troubleshoot, and follow through in a timely manner, ensuring project completion
• Comfort with and ability to develop expertise working with all species in Farm Sanctuary’s care, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese
• Commitment to providing the highest quality of care to Farm Sanctuary’s residents in accordance with animal care policies and veterinary best practices
• Collaborative and motivated to work effectively as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team by keeping others informed, managing expectations across the team, and highlighting opportunities and risks associated with projects.
• Alignment with Farm Sanctuary’s values of compassion, understanding, integrity, transformation, and freedom.
• Familiarity, commitment to, and experience with the practice of equity, social justice, and the principles embedded in Farm Sanctuary’s mission.
• We embrace candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences, regardless of whether they satisfy all the specified requirements. We encourage you to apply, even if you have an unconventional or non-traditional background

Responsibilities

• Provide Leadership and Team Development: Supervise Wellness team members through regular one-on-ones, coaching, performance management, and weekly team meetings to cultivate a culture of transparency, growth, and compassion.
• Lead Staff Training and Hiring: Train team members on caregiving shifts and healthcare skills; participate in hiring by conducting interviews and evaluating candidates in collaboration with Director, Wellness.
• Manage Scheduling and Team Coverage: Oversee staffing schedules and fill in for 1–2 shifts per week as needed to ensure continuous, high-quality resident care.
• Oversee Daily and Emergency Health Care: Conduct routine health checks, administer advanced care, and serve as the primary decision-maker in emergencies when the veterinarian is off-site, following Farm Sanctuary protocols.
• Coordinate Veterinary Services and Medical Oversight: In collaboration with the Veterinary Assistant, schedule external veterinary appointments, initiate diagnostics and treatments in the veterinarian’s absence (excluding antibiotics), and enact biosecurity protocols to safeguard resident well-being.
• Guide Resident Enrichment and Learning: Collaborate with Research and Sanctuary Animal Welfare team to implement daily enrichment and care programs that support residents' physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
• Support Strategic Resident Care Planning: Work with Environment, Research, and Rescue teams to plan resident movements, evaluate rescue intake capacity, and implement strategic animal care initiatives aligned with Farm Sanctuary’s long-term goals.
• Support Intern Program and Mentorship: Mentor interns during their on-site caregiving rotations, modeling compassionate and evidence-based care.
• Foster Cross-Team Collaboration: Coordinate closely with Site Operations, Environment, and other caregiving teams to align on resident projects and shared responsibilities.
• Manage End-of-Life Care with Compassion: Participate in collaborative decision-making regarding hospice and euthanasia, alongside the Sanctuary Veterinarian and caregivers.
• Serve as Public and Internal Representative: Represent the sanctuary in tours, media, and events; respond to internal and external inquiries related to residents, including those from the Communications and Development teams.
• Oversee External Vendor Coordination: Manage communications and contracts with vendors in partnership with General Counsel to support Wellness operations and care resources.
• Delegate and Manage Caregiving Projects: Assign and oversee caregiving-related projects to ensure smooth operations and follow-through on care goals.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays; generous paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 403(b) plan; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability insurance; free access to CALM meditation app and the Nivati Wellness platform

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed