Animal Program Manager – Wellness & Engagement

The Hope Group; Cedar City (UT); On-site; USD 34,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plan with matching

Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account

Life Insurance

Job summary

Havenwood Academy in Cedar City, Utah, seeks a full-time Animal Manager to oversee animal wellness, operational systems, team coordination, and intentional animal programming.

This role balances operational leadership with hands-on involvement in animal programming, ensuring safety, humane care, and therapeutic engagement for guests, while coordinating staff and volunteers to deliver a world-class animal program.

Qualifications

• Experience overseeing animal care, including horses and other livestock.
• Strong understanding of animal health, behavior, safety, and humane care.
• Ability to organize people, delegate responsibilities, and hold team accountable.
• Experience developing operational systems, schedules, checklists, or care protocols.
• Experience with equine programming, youth development, or behavioral health preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance operational management with active participation in animal programming.
• Relevant education or certifications encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain reliable systems for animal feeding, cleaning, wellness, exercise, scheduling, and facility care.
• Coordinate staff and guest responsibilities using structured schedules, checklists, and accountability systems.
• Lead interactive animal programming, equine groups, and individual sessions to foster guest development and responsibility.
• Train team members in handling procedures and partner with clinical leadership on guest treatment goals and progress documentation.
• Manage daily animal care, wellness, facilities, and program budgets while ensuring compliance and safety standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Animal care leadership

Team management

Operational systems

Equine programming

Youth development

Communication

Education

Animal science / Equine studies / Management

Job description

Havenwood Academy in Cedar City, Utah, seeks a full-time Animal Manager to oversee animal wellness, operational systems, team coordination, and intentional animal programming.

This role balances operational leadership with hands-on involvement in animal programming, ensuring safety, humane care, and therapeutic engagement for guests, while coordinating staff and volunteers to deliver a world-class animal program.