Animal Handler and Trainer

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
• Awareness 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.

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