Assistant Livestock Manager

New York Ag Connection; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health insurance

Holidays and leave benefits

Parental Leave

Job summary

The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming seeks an Assistant Livestock Manager to oversee day-to-day activities across the farm's rotational grazing system. You will supervise apprentices, ensure animal welfare, and support pasture management under the Livestock Manager and Farm Director.

We value collaboration, hands-on problem solving, and commitment to sustainable farming in a diverse, inclusive environment. Physical work outdoors is required.

Qualifications

• At least 2 seasons of hands-on livestock farming, dairy farming, or ranching experience.
• Experience with fencing systems (temporary and/or permanent) and pasture management.
• Valid US Driver's License in good standing, with willingness to tow a trailer for animal transport.
• Ability to communicate clearly in English, verbally and in writing.
• Comfort using a smartphone and a computer.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of animal welfare and operational efficiency through daily observations, ensuring timely communication of livestock health issues, equipment maintenance/repair needs, and workflow efficiency recommendations to the Livestock Manager
• Assist with veterinary care and treatment of sick and injured animals as well as regular preventative care
• Herd and manage livestock on pasture while using and maintaining temporary fencing systems
• Transport animals to the processing facility with a trailer
• Assist with pasture management, including mowing and brush clearing
• Assist with implementing agroforestry practices
• Guide apprentices in developing proactive, in-field problem solving skills
• Participate in annual planning, systems analysis, and strategy development with the Glynwood Farm team
• Participate in Glynwood all-team meetings, trainings and retreats
• Provide relevant content for use in Glynwood communications
• Support Livestock Manager in managing record keeping systems

Skills

Hands-on livestock farming experience

English communication

US Driver's License

Trailer towing

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Overview

For more than 25 years, the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming has been dedicated to strengthening the food system in New York’s Hudson Valley while serving as a model for equitable food system revitalization across the country. Our mission is to cultivate just and resilient food systems so that farmers, land, and communities thrive.

Glynwood’s 225-acre campus in Cold Spring is home to a 160-acre rotationally grazed, Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World, multi-species livestock operation, a seven-acre highly diverse, USDA certified organic vegetable operation and our administrative offices. Our farm team employs six year-round farmers and six seasonal apprentices. We raise sheep, beef cattle, broilers, laying hens, pigs, and turkeys across our open pastures and grow more than 90 vegetable, flower and herb varieties.

The livestock operation at Glynwood exists to produce food and train farmers in a way that is regenerative for both the land and the people stewarding it. We are committed to farming practices that prioritize animal welfare, improve soil health, increase pasture diversity, and enhance climate resilience, while cultivating a work culture that promotes the health, well-being, and long-term viability of the farmers who carry out this work. In alignment with Glynwood’s commitment to positive, collaborative team dynamics, we recognize that resilient food systems depend on resilient people.

As an organization, we believe that Glynwood has a role to play in addressing racism and inequity in our country’s food system, and commit ourselves to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in our organization, and in all of our work. We are committed to proactive learning, orienting ourselves towards healing racism and oppression, and expanding spaces for those who have not been historically included.

Job Summary

The Assistant Livestock Manager actively works across all aspects of Glynwood's livestock operation, taking daily direction from the Livestock Manager and collaborating closely with the rest of the Livestock team. Responsibilities include helping guide and supervise Livestock Apprentices in their day-to-day tasks as well as daily chores related to pasture management, fencing, and animal care for Glynwood's rotationally-grazed sheep, cattle, poultry, pigs, and livestock guardian dogs.

We are looking for a candidate that embodies our organizational working values of compassion, collaboration, stewardship, risk-taking, and adaptability— someone who prioritizes animal welfare, works well as part of a close-knit farm team, and is willing to learn and problem-solve in a hands-on, outdoor environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to grow their career in livestock management. The Assistant Livestock Manager will receive ongoing mentorship and training from the Livestock Manager and Farm Director, with opportunities for professional growth within the Farm team as skills and experience develop.

Regular Work Hours

• Tuesday - Saturday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, with seasonal variation
• Full-time, 40-45 hours per week, 5 days per week
• Position start date: Dec 10, 2026

Compensation

$25 - 29 per hour, depending on experience

This is a non-exempt position, eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Glynwood offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off
• Two weeks vacation to start, three weeks after three years, and four weeks after ten years
• Five sick days in the first year and ten days in following years
• Twelve paid holidays
• Winter break in December
• Two float days
• Day off for your birthday
• Up to 12 weeks Parental Leave
• Up to 12 weeks paid Sick/ Caregiver Leave
• Bereavement Leave

Company Sponsored Benefits

• A choice of either United Healthcare Freedom EPO or United Healthcare Liberty EPO
• Short-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Other Benefits
• Retirement contributions after one year of service
• 30% discount on Farm Store products
• This position does not include housing

Requirements

Essential Job Duties

Livestock and Land Management

• Maintain high standards of animal welfare and operational efficiency through daily observations, ensuring timely communication of livestock health issues, equipment maintenance/repair needs, and workflow efficiency recommendations to the Livestock Manager
• Assist with veterinary care and treatment of sick and injured animals as well as regular preventative care
• Herd and manage livestock on pasture while using and maintaining temporary fencing systems
• Transport animals to the processing facility with a trailer
• Assist with pasture management, including mowing and brush clearing
• Assist with implementing agroforestry practices

Team Participation

• Support the Livestock Manager in implementing daily workflow and managing and teaching apprentices
• Guide apprentices in developing proactive, in-field problem solving skills
• Participate in annual planning, systems analysis, and strategy development with the Glynwood Farm team to help shape and cultivate the team’s culture and vision
• Participate in Glynwood all-team meetings, trainings and retreats
• Serve as a Glynwood Ambassador
• Communicate with visitors, constituents and supporters
• Support organization-wide events such as Auction, Food and Farm Day, etc
• Provide relevant content for use in Glynwood communications

Administration and Record-Keeping

• Support the Livestock Manager in managing our livestock record keeping systems, including livestock material input logs, COGS and pricing documents, Pasture Monitoring, Labor Tracking, etc.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 2 seasons of hands-on livestock farming, dairy farming, or ranching experience
• Experience with fencing systems (temporary and/or permanent) and general pasture management, including mowing and brush clearing
• Valid US Drivers License in good standing, with experience or willingness to learn how to tow a trailer for animal transport
• Ability to communicate clearly in English, verbally and in writing
• Comfort using a smartphone and a computer

Preferred

• Familiarity with the Google Suite, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and calendar
• Experience downloading and using apps to track grazing and animal health
• Basic equipment operation and maintenance skills (tractor, RTV, weedwhacker, etc.)
• Prior experience training or supervising apprentices, interns, or new employees
• Hands-on experience in rotational grazing systems
• Experience handling working dogs

You may be a good match for this role if you are

• Able to work both independently and on a team
• Professional, collegial, direct, and practice non-violent communication skills
• Organized and enjoy keeping a tidy workspace
• Observant and detail-oriented
• Willing and able to help with infrequent emergencies during non-regular hours
• Accept the reality of animal mortality
• Aligned with Glynwood’s mission

Physical Demands

This is a physically challenging role. The Assistant Livestock Manager must be able and willing to:

• Lift at least 12 pounds safely on a regular basis
• Lift and move small animals
• Herd large animals
• Lift and move hay bales, feed, etc.
• Stand and walk for long hours, often on uneven ground
• Perform other physical activities as needed for performance of livestock work
• Work steadily outdoors in all weather including heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind. (Working outdoors is not required when conditions are hazardous to human health.)

Travel and Weekend Work

This position requires working one weekend day per week