Equine Care and Program Assistant (Part-Time)

The Equine Care and Program Assistant is responsible for supporting the daily care, health, and welfare of the horses at the Schallock Center for Animals. This part-time position focuses primarily on barn operations and horse care while also assisting with educational programming and providing instruction during equine-related activities and events. The role helps ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for animals, participants, volunteers, and guests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide daily care for herd, including feeding, watering, turnout, stall and paddock cleaning, grooming, and monitoring overall health and well-being.
• Assist with horse training, exercise, and enrichment activities as directed.
• Support herd health care needs, including administering medications and assisting with veterinary and farrier appointments under supervisor direction.
• Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and safety of barn, paddocks, and arena.
• Complete routine barn chores tasks as assigned.
• Monitor herd for changes in health, behavior, or welfare and promptly communicate concerns to supervisors.
• Assist with the preparation and implementation of equine programs, lessons, workshops, camps, birthday parties, and special events.
• Provide instruction and support to participants during equine programs, teaching safe horse handling, grooming, and basic horsemanship skills.
• Assist volunteers and guests during animal care and equine activities and help ensure a positive and safe experience for all participants.
• Follow all safety, animal welfare, and operational procedures established by the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 21 or older, valid driver’s license and ability to be insured on organization’s insurance policy.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience working with horses in a barn, stable, or equine facility required.
• Experience handling horses safely and confidently.
• Knowledge of equine behavior, care, health, and welfare preferred.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse groups of people, including participants, volunteers, staff, and guests.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with computers and emails.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Physical ability to perform barn and animal care duties, including lifting and carrying feed, bedding, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; bending, stooping, walking on uneven terrain and sand surfaces, and standing for extended periods; and safely working around horses and other animals.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Working Conditions of the barn on a daily basis:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Exposure to animal dander, fur, and odors.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Exposure to potentially unpleasant conditions.
• Exposure to large, potentially unpredictable equines.
• Noisy, fast paced environment.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

Physical and Mental Requirements required daily:

• Ability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to look, move head, hear and have dexterity to work on a computer and other machinery.
• Ability to bend, stoop, climb and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to work in environments with loud noises and strong odors.
• Ability to analyze situations, identify issues, and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on available information and company policies.
• Ability to solve complex problems efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and ensure accuracy in work.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work environments.
• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions
• Ability to manage and cope with stress in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to understand and manage one’s emotions and empathize with others.

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.