Maintenance & Buildings Manager
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is a nonprofit animal rescue and forever home for nearly 300 rescued farmed animals on 135 acres in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley.
Since our founding in 2004, Woodstock Sanctuary has saved tens of thousands of animals’ lives directly, from some of the worst conditions imaginable, and impacted millions indirectly through our highly effective education and advocacy work. Through our Public Education and Advocacy and Legislation Programs, we create connections between humans and animals that foster greater empathy, compassion, and responsibility, inspiring people to view farmed animals as worthy of respect and care. We also steward and conserve critical wild spaces on the Sanctuary grounds and conduct environmental education.
Please Read: Woodstock Sanctuary is interested in a broad applicant pool, and no candidate is expected to excel in every area listed below. Please apply if you fit some of the job requirements and think this is a good fit for you!
Job Overview
As a key member of our leadership team, the Maintenance & Buildings Manager oversees the physical infrastructure, safety, and continuous operational readiness of our 135-acre facility. This role manages the maintenance, repairs, and ongoing build-outs for more than 40 structures including barns, coops, offices, an onsite inn, and residences, as well as a fleet of over 30 vehicles and heavy agricultural equipment (including trucks, tractors, UTVs, and skid steers).
The Manager works in close coordination with all departments to support administration, public tours, and special events. Most critically, this position partners with the Shelter Department (animal caregiving) to ensure optimal living conditions and specialized housing for nearly 300 rescued farmed animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and avian residents.
Core Responsibilities
Leadership & Supervision
-Direct the daily operations and workflows of the Maintenance Department.
-Supervise and mentor a dedicated team consisting of a Maintenance Technician, a Maintenance Project Specialist, and one part-time Janitor.
-Lead with emotional intelligence, accountability, and a focus on staff interpersonal dynamics.
Facility & Infrastructure Operations
-Structural Upkeep: Perform and oversee light construction, framing, roofing, and structural repairs for barns, coops, and offices.
-Systems Maintenance: Manage basic plumbing, electrical infrastructure, HVAC maintenance, and major appliance repairs.
-Grounds & Enclosures: Maintain safety fencing, execute road maintenance, manage tree trimming/removal, and oversee seasonal landscaping, mowing, and snow removal.
-Safety Measures: Upkeep of fire safety equipment as well as implementation of safety protocols property wide.
Fleet & Asset Management
-Heavy Equipment: Operate and maintain tractors, backhoes, wheel loader-backhoes, skid steers, trucks, and trailers.
-Fleet Service: Supervise ongoing maintenance, safety checks, and mechanical repairs for all facility vehicles.
-Procurement: Source and purchase structural materials, replacement parts, tools, and project equipment cost-effectively.
Compliance & Administration
-External Liaison: Manage communications with the Town of Rochester, zoning boards, fire inspectors, insurance adjusters, and governmental agencies.
-Regulatory Compliance: Navigate local building permits, zoning codes, and regular safety inspections.
-Budgetary Oversight: Develop and manage the maintenance department budget, maximizing return on investment (ROI) for projects.
Qualifications & Requirements
-This position is full-time, onsite, with a baseline work week of 35 hours. Candidate must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed and have occasional on-call duties
-Candidate must live locally (within 40 minutes) or already be planning on relocating and be able to be at the Sanctuary as needed including nights and weekends if necessary
-Proven Leadership: Demonstrated background in team supervision, work delegation, and project management.
-Technical Aptitude & Hands-On Execution: Possess experience in trade skills (including carpentry, structural framing, mechanical repair, and basic electrical/plumbing) alongside heavy machinery operation. This is a working manager role; the ideal candidate must be highly willing to actively execute day-to-day work orders, handle routine maintenance tasks, and personally complete essential, everyday groundskeeping and repair work alongside their team.
-Business Skills: Strong foundational skills in strategic planning, budgeting, and cost-effective vendor management.
-Digital Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel), Outlook, Slack, or a strong willingness to learn.
-Work Environment Agility: Ability to thrive in a kind, casual, yet fast-paced and fluid environment where priorities can shift unexpectedly.
-Animal Comfort: Comfort, patience, and safety awareness when working in close proximity to large and small farmed animals.
-Physical Demands: Ability to perform strenuous physical work for extended periods in all weather conditions, including the ability to lift up to 60 pounds.
-Availability: Standard full-time schedule, with the flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends for special events, and handle occasional on-call duties. Very occasional travel (e.g. to assist in rescues or transport equipment) will be required.
Compensation and Job Parameters
-Full-time, onsite, salaried position with baseline work week of 35 hours with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed and have occasional on-call duties
-Candidate must live locally (within 40 minutes) or already be planning on relocating and be able to be at the Sanctuary as needed including nights and weekends if necessary
-Woodstock Sanctuary promotes work-life balance and offers generous paid time off and paid holiday benefits, and is accommodating to schedule flexibility when possible
-Benefits also include medical insurance, dental, vision, 401K, and life insurance
-Pay: Range is $60,000 – $65,000 per year DOE
Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other related duties or cross-train in additional areas in order to meet the on-going needs of the organization. This position may also require occasional hours in the evening and on weekends for assistance with on-site special event work.
To apply: Email resume and cover letter to info@woodstocksanctuary.org by December 1st. References will be required later in the search process.
We regret that the number of applicants allows us to respond only to those candidates who we are interviewing. No phone calls please!
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is an equal opportunity employer, committed to values of diversity and inclusion. We are an actively anti-racist organization. BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply.