JOB DESCRIPTION
Employer: Turner Enterprises Management, LLC
Job Title: Kennel and Barn Supervisor
Location: Avalon Plantation – Lamont, FL
Type: Full Time / Salary / Exempt / Benefits-Eligible
Housing: Yes
Avalon Plantation, part of Turner Enterprises Management's Southeast Division, is a premier private hunting and conservation property located in the Red Hills region between Lamont and Monticello, Florida. The property is approximately 35 minutes from Tallahassee and encompasses approximately 20,000 acres of longleaf and other pine forests, old-growth oaks, natural lakes, and diverse wildlife habitat. Avalon is primarily managed for the production of quail, timber, and other wildlife and supports conservation programs for species including the Gopher Tortoise and Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.
Turner Enterprises Management is committed to managing its lands in an economically sustainable and environmentally sensitive manner while promoting the conservation of native species and habitats. The Southeast Division manages private homes and properties used as retreats and hunting lodges while engaging in conservation, research, education, wildlife management, forest management, and sound land stewardship.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Kennel and Barn Supervisor is responsible for oversight of the Kennel and Barn programs at Avalon, supervision of the Feed and Maintenance programs, and leadership of quail hunting activities during guest season for the principal owner, family, and guests.
The position requires strong administrative and technical skills, the ability to organize and manage multiple programs simultaneously, excellent people skills, and an understanding of dog and horse training. This is a working supervisory position that combines leadership responsibilities with hands-on work, including horse and dog handling, building upkeep and maintenance, mowing, equipment operation, and other duties as assigned by the Property Manager.
The position will be responsible for:
- Overseeing the Kennel and Barn Program, including maintenance of the kennel, horse barn, fencing, tack room, and related facilities.
- Handling maintenance and upkeep of hunting wagons, buggies, and tack for horses and mules.
- Overseeing the regular care of horses and dogs, including nutrition, training, exercise, health, and grooming.
- Organizing and scheduling feed and hay orders, veterinary care, regular farrier services, and related animal-care needs.
- Maintaining accurate inventory records of dogs, horses, and mules.
- Working to develop a renowned dog breeding program at Avalon.
- Participating in and competing in Field Trials.
- Coordinating weekend kennel day rotations for staff.
- Overseeing pasture management, including annual fertilization, liming, and aeration as needed.
- Leading the planning and execution of quail hunting trips at Avalon, including determining the courses to be hunted for each guest visit and coordinating with Main House and Woods Crew staff.
- Assisting the Property Manager and Assistant Property Manager with quail land management decisions, including habitat, feed trails, and prescribed burning.
- Supervising the Assistant Barn and Kennel Supervisor and Feed & Maintenance Coordinator on projects.
- Working directly with the Feed & Maintenance Coordinator on feed orders and ensuring accurate feeding rates and records for each quail course.
- Working directly with the Assistant Barn and Kennel Supervisor to collect hunting data each season for submission to the Property Manager.
- Working with the Property Manager to develop annual budgets.
- Working with the Assistant Manager to coordinate support for Woods Crew projects throughout the year.
- Assisting the Woods Crew with seasonal land management practices, including blocking, disking layout fields, burning, mowing, and chopping.
- Assisting the Grounds Crew with regular mowing and maintenance of grounds around the kennel and barn areas.
- Following Company policies and safety procedures.
- Performing all other duties, projects, and tasks assigned by the Property Manager.
- The position will often require work on nights, weekends, and holidays and may require working more than eight hours in a workday, especially from November through April.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has supervisory responsibilities and oversees two full-time employees: the Assistant Barn and Kennel Supervisor and Feed & Maintenance Coordinator.
The Kennel and Barn Supervisor is expected to organize staff and ensure duties are performed efficiently while maintaining a consistent luxury hunting experience for guests.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
- Essential
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in quail management and dog/horse training.
- A minimum of 3 years of experience working in or supervising luxury hunting experiences.
- A minimum of 2 years of experience with firearms.
- Hunter Safety Education.
- Ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as other Company-required software.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
- This position requires operation of vehicles, and you’ll need to possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment. Your driving record will need to meet the standards and requirements of the Company and the Company’s insurance provider.
- You’ll need to present documentation establishing both identity and employment authorization within three days of hire pursuant to federal law.
- Preferred
- A high school diploma or general education degree (GED).
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience with tractors, mowers, and other equipment.
YOUR QUALITIES
- You’re a team player with the ability to coordinate multiple projects with work with multiple employees to complete a common goal.Â
- You exhibit sound and accurate judgment, use time efficiently, and demonstrate attention to detail.Â
- You’re able to adapt to changes in the work environment.Â
- You’re willing to commit to long hours, when necessary, to meet goals.Â
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Company offers full time employees an elite benefits package, including medical dental and vision insurance, basic life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid time off and paid holidays.Â
ACCOMMODATIONS
On property housing with basic utilities (power, water, propane) will be provided subject to a Company Housing Agreement and Company policies.Â
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
On a regular basis, you can expect to:
- Stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, dig with various tools, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
- Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Perform physical labor for extended periods of time.
On a frequent basis, you can expect to:
- Ride an ATV/UTV/mower/equipment for extended periods of time on uneven, rough terrain and occasionally on roads and flat terrain while performing farm duties.Â
- Climb ladders.Â
- Lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.Â
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.Â
You will regularly be exposed to moving mechanical parts; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat. You will frequently be exposed to firearms, high precarious places and fumes or airborne particles. You will occasionally be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, you must be alert and aware of dangers that are present while working in a semi-remote property environment.
The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and the work environment characteristics are representative of those you may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Accommodation inquiries must be made to the Company’s Human Resources Department for consideration.
Turner Enterprises Management, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Smoke Free/Drug-Free Workplace.
For more information, visit www.tedturner.com.
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