Location: 17314 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
About Us:
Founded in 1989, Animal Place is one of the oldest and largest sanctuaries for farmed animals in the United States. As an animal rights organization, we promote the complete protection of farmed animals and a vegan lifestyle. There are two facilities: a 600-acre sanctuary in Grass Valley, CA that serves as a permanent safe haven for farmed animals and a 12-acre Rescue & Adoption facility in Petaluma, CA. If you are unfamiliar with Animal Place, visit our website before applying: www.animalplace.org.
Overview:
The Animal Caregiver is responsible for cleaning, feeding, and medicating the animal residents. This position works under the supervision of the Animal Care Supervisor and alongside a team of dedicated caregivers providing 24/7 care to the 200+ animals (pigs, chickens, cows, turkeys, sheep, goats, rabbits, donkeys) at the sanctuary in Grass Valley. See below for specific responsibilities and duties.
Immediate Supervisor: Animal Care Supervisor
Essential Job Duties:
- Feeding/watering of all residents, daily cleaning/upkeep of animal spaces and completing sanctuary projects as assigned
- Daily health/behavioral monitoring of all animal residents
- Administering medications and/or treatments as assigned
- Maintaining the sanctuary grounds/vehicles, reporting issues promptly
- Regularly working all animal care shifts as scheduled; shift times may start as early as 6am or end as late as 9pm
- Transporting animals for rescues and/or veterinary care as needed
- Assisting with veterinary visits as needed
- Assisting with volunteers and on-site events as needed
- Participating in weekly team meetings, including sensitive discussions such as quality of life or euthanasia concerns
On-Call Job Duties:
- Must be able to reside in employer-provided onsite housing.
- Participating in a rotating after-hours, weekend, and holiday on-call schedule as assigned.
- Responding promptly and independently to after-hours animal care and facility emergencies while serving as the designated on-call employee, including duties such as bottle-feeding infant animals, monitoring and caring for sick or injured animals, and addressing other urgent operational needs.
- Provide coverage for animal care shifts as needed during staff illnesses, vacations, or other unforeseen absences.
Qualifications:
- A strong commitment to Animal Place’s mission of veganism and animal rights
- At least 1 year of animal rescue/shelter/sanctuary experience required
- Previous farmed animal sanctuary experience preferred
- Strong observational skills and a desire to understand animal behavior
- Strong communication, problem-solving, and listening skills
- Ability to adapt quickly to the ever-changing needs of the sanctuary and its residents
- Ability to remain calm in challenging situations and/or emergencies
- Capable of working outdoors in ALL weather conditions; Grass Valley typically has cold/wet winters, and very hot/dry summers with regular threat(s) of wildfire
- Capable of lifting 40-50 pounds and performing strenuous/manual labor
- Willing to work on weekends/holidays/varying shift times as needed
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record (subject to verification)
- Comfortable driving large vehicles, including stock trailers and Sprinter vans
- Vegan lifestyle required to live onsite; no animal products may be brought onto the sanctuary or into the housing units by employees or their guests
Hours/Days: 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Schedule subject to change at any time. Required to work most weekends and holidays. Live-in staff are required to be on-call 1-2 times per week, potentially more if the schedule demands. When on-call, staff are required to stay onsite with radio on and must be ready to handle any late night or early morning animal emergencies.
Hourly Rate: $17
Housing: This position includes required onsite housing as part of the total compensation package. The current onsite accommodation is a one-bedroom cottage with a small private yard. The cottage is limited to occupancy by one person. All utilities, including heating, air conditioning, electricity, water, garbage service, and Wi-Fi, are included, along with access to a shared laundry facility with washer and dryer. Companion animals may be permitted with prior approval from the Animal Care Director.
Benefits: 180-day probation period, health insurance (eligible after 90 days), vacation/holiday/sick time package, $500/year veterinary stipend, $50/year boot stipend, 403b (Animal Place matches up to 3% after one year)
Start Date: Immediately
How to Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume.
Candidates must pass a criminal background check and DMV check prior to employment.
Animal Place is fully committed to equal employment opportunity, and company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, gender, religion, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.