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Overview
Island Farm is a 13-acre living history farm on Roanoke Island, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, that interprets mid-19th century daily life. The site is centered around a National Register-listed circa 1847 homeplace and associated reconstructed outbuildings.
Daily programming changes seasonally and includes a robust farming and heritage livestock program, blacksmithing, hearth cooking, historic trades, crafts, wagon rides, and more. Island Farm seeks a full-time Head of Livestock. This is a key position focused on livestock care, historic farming, and historical interpretation.
Island Farm is part of Outer Banks Conservationists, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 1980.
Primary Responsibilities
This is a full-time, year-round, exempt position. Housing is included as a condition of employment. The Head of Livestock works closely with the Historic Farmer, as well as the Site Manager, Administrative Coordinator, Historical Interpreters, and volunteers; this position is supervised by the Executive Director. The Head of Livestock is an integral part of the Island Farm team. Key functions of this position include:
· To serve as primary caretaker for all livestock at Island Farm including equines, oxen, sheep and fowl
· In partnership with the Historic Farmer, maintain crop fields. This includes working draft animals (equines and oxen), planting and harvesting, field preparation, pasture management, log splitting, fence building, etc.
· To interpret the history of Island Farm to the public
· To complete basic maintenance of the site’s buildings and grounds
· To work closely with other leadership staff and to serve as an integral part of the Island Farm team
Job Duties
· Daily feeding and care of livestock including but not limited to: mules, cattle, horses, chickens, and sheep
· Driving mules and cattle for farm work
· Daily grooming of livestock
· Daily cleaning of stalls, pastures, coops
· Managing hoof trimming, veterinary appointments, and vaccination schedules for all livestock
· Managing feed, hay, and other livestock supplies
· Maintaining and expanding heritage breed tools, equipment, and animals
· Managing maintenance of truck and trailer used in livestock program
· Maintaining and constructing period and modern fencing
· Work with the Historic Farmer to utilize livestock in the agriculture program
· Work proficiently independently, as well as part of a team
· Provide living history demonstrations to the public and dress in historic, period-correct clothing
Interpretive Skills
· Interpret the history of Island Farm for visitors through educational tours, special events, and daily programs and interpretation
· Able to cope with a variety of weather conditions while dressed accurately to represent the 19th century time period
Communication Skills
· Participate in hosting school-age/large groups and implementing daily programs
· Help compile research and disseminate relevant information for programming
· Assist with the Island Farm Community Food Assistance Program
· Assist in planning and organizing community educational events
· Transport livestock to off-site interpretive events when necessary
· Participate in opportunities for continuing education
· Prepare reports
· Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications · A minimum of three years in livestock care is required
· Strong, unwavering work ethic
· Able to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and changing priorities
· Able to solve practical problems
· Able to carry out assigned duties with minimal supervision
Physical Effort · Able to lift fifty pounds
· Able to climb fences
· Able to withstand and continue work requirements outdoors, under a variety of inclement weather conditions
· Respond to emergency situations at Island Farm
· Able to stand for long periods of time
The salary range for this position is $35,000 – $42,000 per year. Housing in the farm-adjacent two-bedroom home is included as part of the compensation package. Vacation and sick leave are available and increases with tenure. For more information, call 252-473-5440. Resume, cover letter, and a list of three references can be sent to info@obcinc.org. Application materials are due by Monday, February 23, 2026.
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