Barn Manager

Stargazer Hollow; Fitchburg (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Professional development stipend

Weekly pay

CSA share

End-of-season bonus

Welcome bonus

Job summary

Stargazer Hollow Farm in Fitchburg, MA is seeking a dedicated Barn Manager to oversee livestock care and barn operations, including fencing, shelter maintenance, and seasonal projects.

You will lead a small team of workers and volunteers, ensure animal health and safety, and collaborate with the farm team to support sustainable, community-focused farming.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of livestock experience.
• Ability to lift 75 pounds and handle animals up to 300 lb.
• Strong leadership and organization skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily animal care routines and welfare.
• Supervise workshare members and volunteers.
• Maintain and repair barn infrastructure and fencing.
• Plan seasonal projects and coordinate with the farm team.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Leadership

Team supervision

Inventory management

Record-keeping

Adaptability

Tools

Slack

Zoom

Job description

Fitchburg, United States |

Stargazer Hollow Farm is a community-focused, sustainable farm newly located in Fitchburg, MA, dedicated to growing exceptional heirloom produce, nutrient-packed microgreens, and providing farm-fresh eggs from happy, healthy birds who live outside in the sun and grass. Stargazer Hollow’s mission is to produce high-quality heirloom produce using sustainable, earth-friendly methods and bring the community closer to the source of their food. With a strong emphasis on quality, diversity, and collaboration, we strive to create a welcoming environment that fosters learning, growth, and a shared passion for building a resilient local food system. As a woman-owned, minority-owned, and LGBT+-owned organization, we prioritize an inclusive attitude on the farm team.

Job Description

Stargazer Hollow Farm is seeking a dedicated and experienced Barn Manager to oversee the care and management of our diverse and thriving livestock operation, as well as helping to design and implement new structures, strategies, and procedures at our brand new farm. This key role involves ensuring the safety, and well-being of our animals – such as pigs, sheep, goats, fowl, barn cats and guardian dogs – while making sure the barn and pastures operate smoothly.

The Barn Manager will lead animal care routines, supervise a small team of workshare members and volunteers, and manage infrastructure maintenance, such as fencing and shelter improvements. They will also play a vital role in planning and executing seasonal projects, monitoring animal health, and maintaining a welcoming and organized barn environment. In addition, the Barn Manager will collaborate with other farm team members to support broader farm goals and activities.

Requirements

Ideal candidates have a strong background in animal husbandry, excellent leadership and organizational skills, and a passion for sustainable, community-centered farming. This is a unique opportunity to work hands-on with animals in a dynamic environment while helping shape the future of Stargazer Hollow Farm.

Barn Manager Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience working with livestock, including feeding, health monitoring, and general care.
• Livestock here would mean at least one grazing animal ideally.
• Familiarity with animal health and wellness practices, including administering basic treatments and recognizing signs of illness or distress.

Leadership Skills:

• Proven ability to supervise and collaborate with a small team of workshare members and volunteers.
• Strong organizational skills to manage schedules, delegate tasks, and ensure efficient operation of daily barn activities.

Operational Expertise:

• Experience with maintaining and repairing farm infrastructure, including fencing, shelters, and equipment.
• Competence in preparing and managing feed schedules and assisting in inventory management.
• Knowledge of egg washing, packing, and maintaining high standards for food safety.

Technical Skills

• General comfort with the use of computers, mobile phones, and tablets.
• Existing knowledge of, or readiness to learn, the following software applications: Slack (communication platform) and Zoom (remote video meetings, for collaboration with other managers).

Adaptability and Collaboration:

• Flexibility to balance a mix of hands-on work, planning, and team coordination.
• Experience in collaborating with others in leadership to ensure our cross-dependencies are met.
• Dedication to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for all team members.

Physical Requirements:

• Capability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to lift 75 pounds and perform physical tasks necessary for farming operations.
• Ability to safely handle animals in excess of 300lb.

Additional Assets (Preferred):

• Prior experience with pasture rotation.
• Skills in record-keeping or scheduling to help track animal health and farm inventory.
• Interest in developing new skills or experimenting with sustainable livestock practices.

Schedule:

• By April 1, this will be a full-time role, but the schedule will be something we discuss together and determine the best mutual fit for a great candidate. Because this role oversees others, it will need to have a set schedule that is adhered to reliably.
• There is some start date flexibility, and we would like to include the barn manager in paid hours of asynchronous 2025 season planning with us so that the person coming on board will have had the opportunity to make some of the planning choices for their area. This would likely be about 10 hours per week until March 1, and then hours will begin to increase.

Compensation:

• $20/hour, and typically we manage this as a salary to allow the managers more flexibility based on weather and task load without having challenges with variable income.
• Every position on our farm (and otherwise on the property) pays the same $20/hour rate in the interest of equity, but we are open to discussions about this and how to ensure this feels the way it is intended to feel.
• CSA Share: Enjoy fresh vegetables, eggs, and other farm products starting once harvesting begins.
• Paid Time Off: Includes 1 week of PTO during peak season (June-September), plus 2 paid sick days separate from Massachusetts-required accruals.
• Professional Development: Up to $500 annual reimbursement for conferences, workshops, and more.
• Personal Growing Space: There is adequate space available to team members to support personal growing of food or flowers. Personal growing must still adhere to organic practices and not create any safety or environmental hazards.
• Weekly pay via check or direct deposit.
• Welcome bonus and gifts after your first week.
• Birthday celebrations, including an off-season group celebration.
• Free entry to all farm events.
• Team lunches, snacks, and convenience supplies.
• End-of-season bonus for completing the full season.
• Health insurance is not currently available.
• If you would want to get health insurance from the farm, please let us know – the reason it is not available is that no one has wanted it, and we can’t even get a quote without a person! We are too small to be required to offer insurance.
• Note that on-farm housing is not included, as we do not yet have any permanent structures approved or built.
• The Fitchburg area, and the larger neighboring town of Leominster, have a variety of apartment offerings. We would like to help you be successful and are open to assistance in coordinating and, for example, writing pending employment verification letters or anything else to aid you in this effort.
• There may be the potential of RV living or similar, we can discuss. This is not something we already have in place.