High Meadows School is an independent, co-educational, progressive day school in Roswell, Georgia (a northern suburb of Atlanta) serving approximately 325 children preschool through eighth grade. The school's innovative, inquiry-based, integrated curriculum emphasizes love of learning, creativity, global connection and environmental responsibility.
The Animal Care Coordinator (ACC) is a 12 month, full-time, exempt position. The ACC will be responsible for the small farm animal program which includes the care, feeding and maintenance of ponies, goats, rabbits, chickens, sheep and a small fish pond. The ACC creates and coordinates all aspects of the Animal Program at the school and camp, including curriculum, which consists of pony rides for students and campers in grades Preschool through third grade, helping with animal visits at designated events, teaching animal care/animal science Middle Years classes, training and managing parent volunteers and camp staff, and working with teachers and principals in scheduling programming. Potential exists for after-school experiences with students, including equestrian programming.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
ANIMAL CARE
• Feed or arrange for daily feeding (through personally feeding the animals and/or organizing paid hourly people) of the animals, including selecting, overseeing, supervising, training and setting animal feeding expectations with hired and volunteers
• Budgeting, purchasing and transporting feed, materials, and equipment necessary for animal care
• Transportation of animals to veterinary services as needed
• Arrange for vet, farrier, and equine dental visits in addition to ordering and maintaining adequate feed, hay and medications
• Animal oversight responsibility 24/7, including school breaks, weekends, and holidays
• Maintenance and condition of all animal areas, including daily cleaning and seasonal adjustments
• Arranging and assisting with special events, including sheep shearing, raising baby chicks, and the use of animals during all-campus events, and other duties as assigned by the Camp Director or Head of School
INSTRUCTIONAL
• Schedule and oversee pony rides
• Plan and teach animal care classes
• Collaborate with educators on integrated projects
• Develop learning experiences in accordance to camp and school programming needs
The Animal Care Coordinator will have the ability and willingness to switch between day-to-day animal care, current school and camp curriculum programming and long-term planning. He or she will be a person who takes the initiative to accomplish tasks and will collaborate with school leaders on behalf of the school and its animal care education programs.
Desired Qualities and Qualifications:
Farm animal and equine facility experience required, preferred certification or documented training
Experience working with children and animals
Close proximity for quick access to campus for animals during inclement weather/emergencies
Microsoft Office skills for emailing, scheduling, maintaining records/documents, etc.
Extreme attention to detail and dedication to the care and maintenance of the animals
Collaborative problem solver and intuitive relationship-building skills, personal flexibility and a sense of humor
Supervisory experience related to dealing with employees/volunteers that will be working with the animals
Good communication skills with teachers, parents, facilities personnel and outside organizations
Excellent physical condition for moderate manual labor including lifting 50 lbs., bending/trotting with the horses
Must be able to administer oral as well as intramuscular injections
Please send resume and salary expectations to Jane Murphy, HR Manager, jmurphy@highmeadows.org.