Farm Animal Caretaker & Groundskeeper

Rowdy Girl Sanctuary – Waelder, TX
Full-time | $15.00–$16.00 per hour (based on experience)

Rowdy Girl Sanctuary—the first documented beef cattle ranch to transition into a fully vegan farmed animal sanctuary—is hiring a Farm Animal Caretaker & Groundskeeper to help care for over 130 rescued farm animals and maintain our 147-acre sanctuary.

This is a great opportunity for someone who loves animals, enjoys outdoor physical work.

ResponsibilitiesAnimal Care

• Assist with daily care, health checks, medications, and wound care
• Feed animals according to schedules and dietary needs
• Prepare feed and maintain organization in feed prep areas
• Work safely around large farm animals
• Clean and maintain barns, coops, shaded habitats, and enclosures
• Maintain daily logs and update animal care records
• Monitor and report inventory needs
• Attend weekly team meetings

Maintenance & Groundskeeping

• Mowing, weed whacking, trimming, and clearing debris
• Cleaning common areas (sweeping, mopping, dusting)
• Laundry tasks: wash, dry, fold
• Trash removal
• Assist with painting, fence work, and small maintenance projects
• Help set up for volunteer days and events

Additional Duties

• Support volunteers during special volunteer days
• Help greet and guide guests during tours and events

Requirements

• Must lift 50 lbs (feed sacks, hay bales) and perform physical labor
• Comfortable working outdoors year-round in heat, cold, rain, mud, and changing weather conditions.
• Experience with groundskeeping or maintenance
• Ability to drive a Kawasaki Mule
• Dependable transportation
• Strong observational skills
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently
• Strong communication skills and ability to work well with team members and volunteers.
• Weekend, early morning, evening, and holiday availability
• Must follow sanctuary policy: no animal products on property
• Background check and references required
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and provide a valid driver’s license & SS card Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in animal shelters, barns, or vet tech settings
• Tractor operation skills (not required but a plus)
• Experience with hand tools

Compensation & Benefits

• $15.00–$16.00 per hour, based on experience
• 40 hours per week
• Paid holidays, accrued PTO, and sick time after 90 days
• Flexible schedule (within sanctuary needs)
• Work directly with rescued farm animals
• Supportive, mission-driven vegan sanctuary environment

Schedule

• Full-time (40 hours/week)
• Weekends required
• Early mornings & evenings as needed
• Schedule adjusts throughout the year based on daylight and animal needs

Reports To

• Reports directly to the Executive Director
• Checks in daily with the Office Manager for scheduling and task coordination

Work Location

• In person only (Waelder, TX)

Job description - Farm Animal Caretaker & Groundskeeper

Location: Waelder, TX (near Luling/Bastrop/Lockhart)

Rowdy Girl Sanctuary—the first documented beef cattle ranch to transition into a fully vegan farmed animal sanctuary—is seeking a dedicated and hardworking Farm Animal Caretaker & Groundskeeper with strong maintenance skills, or a strong willingness to learn, to join our fast-growing organization.

This position involves general maintenance of the sanctuary grounds, fencing, barns, and equipment to ensure a clean, safe, and functional environment for the animals and team, along with assisting our maintenance lead and helping with feeding and caring for the cows.

This position also plays a vital role in ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of over 130 rescued farmed animals—including cows, pigs, chickens, goats, a turkey, a donkey, and more. In this role, you’ll work hands-on with animals of all sizes, assisting with daily care routines, health checks, feeding, and specialized care.

This is a physically demanding role that requires the ability to handle a fast-paced workload, lift heavy objects, and work comfortably outdoors year-round in all weather conditions. The ideal candidate is strong, reliable, flexible, and comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

Animal Care:

• Assist with daily animal care routines, including health checks, Administer medications and basic wound care, and behavioral observation.
• Responsible for feeding all animals according to established schedules and dietary needs.
• Prepare feed recipes and maintain an organized feed preparation area.
• Work around large farm animals and assist with routine care, including supporting the farrier and other care providers.
• Assist with cleaning, creating, and maintaining cool, shaded habitats, coops, and enclosures.
• Maintain accurate daily animal care logs and file and update animal records.
• Inventory food and medical supplies, and report low stock as needed.
• Attend weekly Animal Care team meetings.

Maintenance, Groundskeeping, and General Housekeeping:

Responsibilities support the sanctuary through all seasons, heat, and drought conditions. This position plays a vital role in helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for our rescued farm animals. Tasks include:

• Groundskeeping and general landscaping, including lawn mowing, weed whacking, trimming, and clearing debris.
• Sweeping, mopping, dusting, spraying down porches, and cleaning common areas.
• Handle laundry duties, including washing, drying, and folding.
• Responsible for managing trash removal and proper disposal.
• Supporting basic maintenance projects such as painting, fence maintenance, and similar projects.
• Assisting with setup for volunteer days and special events.
• Responsibilities may shift based on the time of year and sanctuary needs.

Other:

• Coordinate and manage volunteers on special volunteer days or events.
• Help welcome or guide guests during scheduled tours and events.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform strenuous physical labor, including lifting 50-pound feed sacks and square hay bales.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to bend, lift, push, stoop, stretch, climb, and crawl as required.

Qualifications:

• Must meet Physical Requirements, as listed above.
• Experience with groundskeeping and general maintenance.
• Ability to responsibly drive a Kawasaki Mule.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in animal shelters or as a vet tech.
• The ability to operate a tractor is not required but a great asset.
• Experience with small and large hand tools.

Requirements & Specifications:

• Punctuality and dependability—showing up on time and ready to work is essential for animal safety and team flow.
• Flexibility with scheduling is a must, including the ability to modify tasks and shifts on short notice due to weather changes, staff call-outs, sanctuary or animal needs, or emergencies.
• Collaborative and supportive with team members, while able to work primarily independently and without supervision in a fast-paced, outdoor environment.
• Uphold professionalism through a positive attitude and by avoiding actions that may negatively affect the team dynamic.
• Demonstrates effective communication and respects others as well as the authority of those in leadership roles.
• Ability to follow directions, complete assigned tasks, and ask questions when unsure.
• Comfort with and ability to work with volunteers and adapt to private tours and events.
• Reliable, dependable, and highly organized.
• Dependable transportation is a must.
• Strong observation skills and timely reporting of issues. If something seems “off” with an animal or their habitat can be lifesaving!
• Must align with our mission of respect for all species and treat every resident with kindness.
• Respect for sanctuary policy—all staff must adhere to our plant-based policy while on sanctuary property. This means no animal products are allowed on-site, in lunches, snacks, or beverages. This is a core value of our mission.
• Must be available for either straight or split shifts, with flexibility to work all days, including weekends and holidays. Must also be flexible in case of scheduling changes. Please note that the schedule will adjust with the changing daylight hours.
• Must be comfortable working around large and small farm animals.
• Background check and job references required.
• Reports to the Office Manager.
• Compensation based on experience.

Application Requirements:

• This is an in-person position—remote work is not available.
• Must have your own dependable transportation and a reliable daily commute to Waelder.
• Minimum 1-year experience in maintenance or groundskeeping preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and Social Security card.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work at a mission-driven vegan sanctuary that rescues and protects farmed animals.
• Hands-on experience with rescued farmed animals.
• Be part of a dedicated, tight-knit team rooted in respect and purpose.
• This is a full-time position with the potential for significant growth.
• Daily connection to nature and the outdoors in a peaceful, rural sanctuary setting.
• A chance to learn about sustainable sanctuary operations.
• Paid holidays and accrued paid time off and paid sick time after full-time status is achieved (following a 90-day probationary period).

Work Schedule:

• 40 hours a week
• Weekends, early mornings and evenings required as needed.
• Schedule shifts throughout the year based on sunrise and animal needs, including adjustments during daylight savings time.

Join Rowdy Girl Sanctuary and help provide a safe, welcoming home for our rescued farm animals. This is a unique opportunity to become part of a dedicated team and grow with us into the future.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: TBD based on experience - $15.00 - $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Are you comfortable working outdoors year-round in heat, cold, rain, mud, and other changing weather conditions?
• This position requires lifting 50-pound feed sacks and hay bales regularly. Are you able to meet this physical requirement?
• Are you able to work weekends, holidays, early mornings, and occasional evenings as needed?
• Do you have experience with groundskeeping, maintenance, barn work, or outdoor labor?
• Do you have reliable transportation to and from work every day?
• Do you have experience working with large animals (cows, horses, goats, pigs, etc.)?
• Are you able to reliably commute to Waelder, TX for this job?

Work Location: In person