Lead Animal Husbander

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life.

The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library. Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area.

Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on-site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over five million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and oversee daily care, feeding, health monitoring, and welfare of all livestock.
• Coordinate breeding, birthing, veterinary care, recordkeeping, and herd management programs.
• Lead emergency responses efforts involving livestock health, facility issues, weather-related incidents, and animal containment.

• Support strategic planning for livestock acquisitions, breeding goals, conservation initiatives, and program development.
• Serve as the department lead for livestock interpretation and public programming, ensuring historical accuracy and engaging guest experiences.
• Develop and deliver talks, workshops, tours, and educational programs related to rare breeds and 18th-century husbandry practices.
• Train and lead apprentices, husbanders, interns, and volunteers in livestock management and safe animal handling practices.

• Ensure compliance with organizational safety standards, animal welfare requirements, and operational procedures.
• Participate in and lead internal and external training opportunities.
• Model professional behavior, organizational values, and effective team leadership.
• Work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and emergency response situations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during peak times, etc., as directed and approved by the supervisor.

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

• High school diploma or GED required equivalent and 5+ years experience in livestock care may be
• Experience working with livestock, including a strong…