Animal Care Technician 2

Animal Care Technician II

GENTLE GIANTS DRAFT HORSE RESCUE

Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit equine rescue dedicated to protecting draft horses from slaughter, abuse, and neglect. With nearly 200 horses in our care at any given time, we operate one of the largest draft horse rescue programs in the country. Every day, our team provides the intensive, specialized, and compassionate care these gentle giants need to heal physically and emotionally.

Our Animal Care Technicians play a vital part in that mission. Through attentive, compassionate, and skilled daily care, our team helps horses heal physically and emotionally. Whether supporting specialized medical needs, creating safe routines, or simply offering calm presence to a horse learning to trust again, your work becomes a direct part of their recovery.

What You’ll Do:

As an Animal Care Technician II, you’ll take a more independent role in the daily care of our rescued horses, helping ensure that feeding routines, barn operations, and basic treatments are completed accurately and consistently. Your work continues to center on the essential foundations of excellent horse care - feeding, watering, cleaning, and maintaining safe, orderly living spaces - but with added responsibility and confidence.

You’ll work both independently and alongside team members and volunteers to deliver daily feed across the farm, maintain clean and organized barns and paddocks, keep stalls fresh and comfortable, and ensure all horses have continuous access to fresh water and hay. With your experience, you’ll play a key role in observing the herd, recognizing early signs of concern, and communicating those observations clearly so the care team can respond quickly. You may also assist with or carry out approved comfort and special treatments as directed. Your work may not always be clinical, but it is essential. Your consistency, awareness, and skill directly support the health, safety, and well-being of horses who depend on us every day.

Daily Tasks:

• Support daily feeding and seasonal needs for the herd
• Assist with and carry out basic medical, comfort, and special treatments as trained
• Ensure all horses have reliable access to fresh water and consistent forage
• Maintain clean, safe barns, stalls, fields, and shelters
• Observe horses daily and identify, document, and report changes in health or behavior
• Help model and sustain a calm, safe environment for both horses and humans
• Complete additional tasks that support the smooth operation of the farm and overall herd wellbeing

Required Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Hands-on experience working with horses, ideally in a farm, rescue, or barn setting
• Strong commitment to animal welfare and understanding of the needs of rescued horses
• Ability to work independently while remaining a collaborative member of the care team
• Comfort performing routine treatments such as leg care and medicated washes
• Solid understanding of equine behavior and body language
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and accountability in a care-driven environment
• Effective time-management and prioritization skills in a fast-paced setting
• Physical ability to lift 50 lbs and perform demanding farm labor
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Strong attention to detail and confidence recognizing when a horse may need additional support
• Those with prior experience in the veterinary world including small animals encouraged to apply.

Benefits & Compensation:

• Starting pay of $22.07 with annual 5% salary increases plus COLA (COLA percentage determined annually)
• Schedule is four, 10-hour days. All employees must include at least one weekend day in their regular schedule.
• Gentle Giants observes the following as paid holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
• All Benefits take effect after your 90 day Probationary Period:
• $300 monthly contribution to a Health Reimbursement Account
• PTO that starts at 80 hours annually after your 90 day probationary period and increases to 120 hours on your 1st anniversary and 160 hours on your 3rd anniversary
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• Gentle Giants offers Bereavement Leave for family and for your pets

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $22.07 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Experience:

• Equine: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Mount Airy, MD 21771 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22