Equine & Farm Animal Care Manager

Houston SPCA; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Paid Vacation Time Off

Paid Sick Leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Staff animal care discounts

Job summary

Houston SPCA in Houston, TX seeks an experienced Equine & Farm Animal Care Manager to lead daily operations of the Farm and Equine Department, guiding teams through care, rehabilitation, and adoption processes.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, high animal welfare standards, and collaboration with veterinary staff to ensure safe, healthy outcomes for horses and farm animals.

Qualifications

• College degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, or a related field preferred.
• Five to ten years of equine, farm animal, shelter, or related experience.
• Previous supervisory or management experience.
• Knowledge of equine and farm animal breeds, behavior, husbandry, diseases and medical conditions.
• Valid Texas driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Ability to operate or learn to safely operate a truck and horse trailer.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in various weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of the Farm and Equine Department from intake through adoption.
• Hire, train, schedule, and develop a high‑performing team.
• Monitor animal health, behavior, and rehab progress with veterinary staff.
• Ensure safety protocols, policies, and procedures are followed.
• Support adoptions by educating adopters and helping animals find homes.
• Maintain accurate records and operational information.
• Represent Houston SPCA professionally with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Assist with emergency response efforts, including investigations and disaster response.

Skills

Equine care

Team leadership

Safety protocols

Emergency response

Communication

Problem solving

Education

College degree in Animal Science or related field

Job description

Position:Equine & Farm Animal Care Manager

Location: Houston, TX

Job Id:144-ANC

# of Openings:1

Equine & Farm Animal Care Manager

Houston SPCA | Houston, Texas

Do you naturally take ownership, lead by example, and inspire others to provide exceptional animal care?

Houston SPCA is seeking an experienced and hands‑on Equine & Farm Animal Care Manager to lead the daily operations of our Farm and Equine Department. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced animal welfare environment, enjoys developing teams, and is passionate about helping horses and farm animals progress from rescue and rehabilitation to successful adoption. This role oversees animal care operations, staff leadership, rehabilitation efforts, and adoption support.

What Success Looks Like

Successful candidates are people who:

• Lead from the front and are willing to step in wherever needed.
• Hold themselves and others accountable for high standards of animal care and safety.
• Remain calm and professional during emergencies, investigations, and challenging situations.
• Build positive relationships with staff, volunteers, adopters, and the public.
• Notice problems before they become larger issues and take action to resolve them.
• Take pride in maintaining clean, safe, and organized facilities.
• Understand that every animal deserves patience, compassion, and individual attention.
• Enjoy coaching and mentoring employees to help them grow and succeed.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead the daily operation of the Farm and Equine Department, ensuring excellent care for animals from intake through adoption.
• Hire, train, schedule, and develop a high-performing team.
• Monitor animal health, behavior, and rehabilitation progress while partnering closely with veterinary staff and investigators.
• Ensure safety protocols, policies, and procedures are followed consistently.
• Support adoptions by educating prospective adopters and helping animals find appropriate homes.
• Maintain accurate records and operational information.
• Represent Houston SPCA professionally with staff, volunteers, media, and the public.
• Assist with emergency response efforts, including animal cruelty investigations and disaster response situations.

The Ideal Candidate

You may be a great fit if you:

• Have significant experience working with horses and farm animals.
• Have previous leadership or management experience.
• Can confidently and safely handle, train, and ride horses.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Are highly organized and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Adapt quickly when conditions change and remain effective under pressure.
• Believe that excellent animal welfare starts with teamwork, accountability, and compassion.
• Are comfortable making decisions and taking ownership of outcomes.

Qualifications

• College degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, or a related field preferred.
• Five to ten years of equine, farm animal, shelter, or related experience.
• Previous supervisory or management experience.
• Working knowledge of equine and farm animal breeds, behavior, husbandry, diseases, and medical conditions.
• Valid Texas driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Ability to operate or learn to safely operate a truck and horse trailer.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in various weather conditions.

Why Houston SPCA?

At Houston SPCA, every day provides an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of animals and the people who care about them. If you are a compassionate leader who can balance animal welfare, team development, and operational excellence, we would love to hear from you.

At Houston SPCA, we believe our employees are our greatest asset. When you join our team, you become part of a mission‑driven organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them. We are committed to supporting our employees both professionally and personally by offering a comprehensive benefits package that promotes health, financial security, work‑life balance, and overall well‑being. Whether you’re starting your career or bringing years of experience, Houston SPCA provides meaningful opportunities to make a difference while enjoying valuable benefits designed to help you thrive.

– Medical insurance
– Dental insurance
– Vision insurance
– Basic and supplemental life insurance
– 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
– Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
– Paid Vacation Time Off
– Paid Sick Leave
– Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
– Short‑term disability options
– Aflac accident and critical illness coverage
– VCA Animal Hospital employee discounts
– Hill’s Pet Food discounts
– Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility for qualifying employees of nonprofit organizations

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, creed, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.