At a Glance
- Tasks: Train and care for adorable farm animals like Valais Blacknose sheep and pygmy goats.
- Company: Join a vibrant farm in Main Ridge, Victoria, dedicated to animal welfare.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and superannuation.
- Other info: Perfect for those who love animals and want hands-on experience.
- Why this job: Make a difference in the lives of animals while enjoying outdoor work.
- Qualifications: Experience with animal handling and a passion for farm life.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 $ per year.
The Farm Animal Handler and Trainer is responsible for the training, grooming, and day-to-day care of a mixed farm's livestock, primarily Valais Blacknose sheep, cattle, and pygmy goats, with occasional care duties for horses on the property. The role ensures all animals are well-behaved, healthy, and properly presented, whether for breeding, agricultural shows, or sale. Duties combine hands-on training and behavioural management with grooming, feeding, health monitoring, and general animal husbandry.
Key responsibilities:
- Teach animals to respond to verbal and non-verbal commands, and correct behavioural problems (e.g., flighty or aggressive behaviour in cattle, escape-prone tendencies in pygmy goats, handling issues in sheep).
- Halter-train and lead-train cattle for handling, yarding, and show preparation.
- Prepare Valais Blacknose sheep, cattle, and pygmy goats for agricultural shows, competitions, or sale, including handling and presentation training.
- Groom animals as needed — washing and coat care for Valais Blacknose sheep, hoof trimming for goats, sheep, and other livestock.
- Inspect, clean, disinfect, and maintain paddocks, pens, and shelters to ensure safe and comfortable living conditions for each species.
- Transport feed and hay, fill water troughs, and feed each species according to its specific nutritional needs (e.g., copper-sensitive requirements for sheep, mineral needs for cattle, browse-based diet considerations for pygmy goats).
- Maintain accurate health, breeding, and behaviour records for each animal; treat minor injuries or ailments (e.g., footrot, minor cuts) and report serious conditions to a veterinarian.
- Exercise and handle animals daily, and move them safely between paddocks or pens, including mustering cattle and leading sheep and goats.
- Assist with lambing, calving, and kidding as needed, and monitor young animals for health issues.
- Apply pest and parasite control treatments (drenching, dipping, spraying, or dusting) tailored to each species — e.g., fly and lice control for sheep and cattle, worming for goats.
About you:
- Knowledge of behaviour, handling, and training techniques across sheep, cattle, and goats.
- Aware of breed-specific needs — e.g., Valais Blacknose sheep's wool and hoof care, cattle temperament and handling in yards, pygmy goats' agility and fencing requirements.
- Physical fitness for outdoor farm work, lifting, and handling larger animals.
- Experience with farm handling equipment (yards, crushes, halters, lead ropes, fencing).
- Patience and calm, confident manner around animals of varying size and temperament.
- Basic animal first-aid knowledge and sound judgement on when to call a veterinarian.
- Good record-keeping and communication skills.
Position is full time, based in Main Ridge, Victoria. Salary dependent on experience, plus superannuation.
Animal Handler and Trainer in Frankston employer: Flipper Services Pty Ltd
Join a vibrant and supportive team at our Main Ridge farm, where your passion for animal care will thrive. We offer a rewarding work culture that prioritises employee growth through hands-on training and development opportunities, ensuring you can enhance your skills in animal handling and training. With competitive salary packages and a commitment to the well-being of both our staff and livestock, this is an excellent place for those seeking meaningful employment in a picturesque rural setting.
