Position Overview

Posting Date: May 5, 2026

Jasper Ridge Farm (JRF) is a nonprofit organization located in Portola Valley, California, dedicated to providing meaningful animal-assisted therapeutic experiences that enhance the lives of those we serve. Through the healing power of the human-animal bond, JRF offers programs that promote the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families in partnership with therapists, counselors, teachers, and community organizations.

JRF is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, participant safety, and community care. We are looking for a passionate, skilled, and grounded individual to join our small and dedicated team.

Position Summary

The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for the daily care, health monitoring, and welfare of the animals at Jasper Ridge Farm. This role is central to JRF's mission: the animals in our care are partners in the therapeutic and educational experiences we provide, and their health, safety, and comfort are paramount. 

In addition to hands-on animal husbandry, the Animal Care Specialist supports the safe and effective facilitation of animal-assisted program activities, working alongside program staff to create enriching, calm, and well-managed interactions between animals and program participants. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced animal care professional to contribute their skills to meaningful community-based work. 

Key Details

• Employment type: Part-time, non-exempt

• Hours: 9 to 12 hours per week; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

• Reports to: Executive Director 

• Location: Jasper Ridge Farm, Portola Valley, CA

• Compensation: $21.00/hour

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care & Husbandry

• Provide daily care for farm animals, including feeding, watering, grooming, and habitat cleaning and maintenance, according to established schedules and protocols

• Monitor animals daily for signs of illness, injury, stress, or behavioral change and report concerns to the Executive Director and Animal Care Manager promptly

• Maintain clean, safe, and enriching environments for all animals 

• Administer medications and treatments, maintaining accurate health records

• Implement and evaluate enrichment activities and handling plans appropriate to each species

• Coordinate with the Executive Director and Animal Care Manager for routine and emergency animal health care

• Maintain accurate daily logs of animal health, behavior, feeding, and any incidents

Program Support

• Prepare animals for program activities, ensuring each animal is calm, healthy, and appropriate for participant interaction on a given day

• Facilitate structured animal interactions with program participants including children, youth, and individuals with diverse needs, under the guidance of program staff

• Educate participants, visitors, and community members about the animals, their care, and the human-animal bond in an engaging and accessible manner

• Follow all participant safety protocols and respond calmly and appropriately to any unexpected animal behavior during program activities

• Follow and help enforce all biosecurity protocols, including handwashing requirements, zoonotic disease prevention, and client-animal contact guidelines

Team & Administrative

• Collaborate closely with all staff and volunteers. 

• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and annual program planning as requested. 

• Maintain accurate and timely records, including animal health logs, incident reports and feeding schedules. 

• Support special events and seasonal programs, including summer camp, as needed.

Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, agriculture, or a related field preferred

Experience

• Hands-on experience in animal care, farm management, veterinary support, zoo keeping, or a closely related field

• Experience working with a variety of species, including large animals (horses, goats, sheep) and small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs) strongly preferred

• Experience in a therapeutic, educational, or nonprofit program setting is a plus

• Experience working with youth or individuals with diverse needs and volunteers is a plus

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to work calmly and compassionately with diverse populations 

• Comfortable facilitating structured animal interactions as part of a therapeutic or educational program

• Strong verbal communication skills; ability to share knowledge about animals in an engaging and accessible way with varied audiences

• Demonstrated patience, empathy, and a compassionate approach to working with people

Physical & Operational Requirements

• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, kneeling, shoveling, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions for extended periods

• Comfortable working in a farm environment with ongoing exposure to animals, hay, dust, and manure

• Ability to work a flexible part-time schedule that will include weekend hours 

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate written records consistently

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small team

Personal Qualities

• Genuine passion for animal welfare and the human-animal bond

• Deep alignment with JRF's mission of providing enriching experiences through animal-assisted programming

• Calm, grounded, and observant demeanor with strong situational awareness

• Reliable, punctual, and proactive in identifying and addressing needs

• Respect for and sensitivity to the diverse communities JRF serves

Work Environment

This position is based at Jasper Ridge Farm in Portola Valley, California. The Animal Care Specialist works primarily outdoors in a farm environment. Work involves daily physical activity, exposure to animals and agricultural conditions, and regular interaction with program participants and community members. Some indoor administrative tasks are also required.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following to execdirector@jasperridgefarm.org.

1. A resume or CV highlighting relevant animal care experience

2. A brief cover letter describing your background and your interest in JRF's mission