Farm/animal Caretaker

**About Us**

With over two decades of cultural programming on Victoria Island, Indigenous Experiences has established Mādahòkì Farm—a 164-acre Indigenous-led agritourism destination in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. The Farm is home to an endangered herd of **Ojibwe Spirit Horses**, a marketplace showcasing Indigenous goods, and year-round visitor experiences rooted in Indigenous storytelling, land, and food sovereignty.

**Position Summary**

As a **Farm & Animal Caretaker**, you will be entrusted with the daily care of the Ojibwe Spirit Horses and small livestock, along with general maintenance tasks on the farm. Your duties include feeding, grooming, equipment operation, and maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of farm facilities—all done under safety protocols and the Barn Coordinator’s direction.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Feed, water, groom, and care for endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses and small animals daily according to the schedule
- Assist with veterinary and farrier appointments as needed
- Assist with Equine Assisted Learning (training/certification provided)
- Monitor heard and animal health and report concerns promptly
- Participate in foundational training, groundwork, and handling protocols under supervision
- Maintain barn, paddock, and stall cleanliness, manure management, and biosecurity standards
- Operate farm machinery (tractor, gator, landscaping equipment) with provided training
- Cleaning and harrowing the horse/small animal paddocks on a regular basis.
- Assist with general farm tasks, such as loading and unloading supplies/materials, or moving equipment.
- Perform daily cleaning of barns, feed bowls, water troughs, and other animal care areas
- Prepare grounds for booking and events
- Assist with barn-related programming and visitor engagement during events
- Adhere strictly to OHSA, First Aid, WHMIS, and internal safety protocols

**Qualifications & Experience**
- 1-2 years experience working with horses or on a farm with livestock
- Formal or informal training in animal care, equine first aid,
- Mechanical aptitude or comfort with equipment maintenance and farming tools
- Familiarity with Indigenous agricultural traditions is a valuable bonus

**Skills & Attributes**
- Excellent observation, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Dependable and reliable.
- Ability to perform manual labor and to safely lift/carry heavy items.
- Comfortable working outdoors in all seasonal conditions, including winter
- Able to follow instruction and work independently or as part of a team
- Availability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends
- Must have reliable transportation as we are not on a bus route.
- EAL experience /certification or interest in becoming certified in EAL as wrangler or facilitator.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $19.00-$21.50 per hour

**Experience**:

- horse: 1 year (required)
- farm tasks: 1 year (required)
- Farm machinery: 1 year (preferred)

**Language**:

- English (required)

**Location**:

- Nepean, ON K2R 1E7 (preferred)

Work Location: In person