Horse Handler (Emphasis with Mental Health Programs) (woodside)

nceft.org Position Summary: NCEFT is looking for a Horse Handler to join its enthusiastic and dedicated team! Horse Handlers are responsible for exercising and caring for horses and handling horses in our nationally-renowned programs including mental health workshops, hippotherapy and adaptive riding sessions. This position may be responsible for working in all programs, but the emphasis will be assisting in mental health and resilience workshops. This position can be part or full-time and may include some evenings and Saturdays. Direct Responsibilities: - Act as an equine specialist supporting Mental Health and Resilience programs. - Help with the daily conditioning/warm up of all horses, including hand walking, hot walker, turn out, lunging, and riding under the supervision of the Barn Director. - During exercise and handling, closely monitor each horse’s performance and report immediately any soundness or behavior problems to the Barn Director. - Long line or lead horses during sessions as needed. - Closely monitor the horse’s behavior during all sessions and immediately communicate any concerns to the treating therapist or instructor and the Barn Director. - Check all tack and fittings prior to each therapy session. - Clean, condition and inspect all tack and equipment on a weekly basis. Report any repairs needed to the Barn Director. - Maintain a clean, orderly, and organized barn/arena work area at all times. - Participate in demonstrations and events as needed throughout the year, including NCEFT sponsored events. - Use NCEFT staff communication tools as defined by the management team and Equine Operations Director. - Maintain current CPR and First Aid status. - Other duties as needed. Position Requirements: - Possess strong horsemanship skills and have experience handling, lunging, and riding a variety of horses at the walk/trot/canter. - Demonstrated knowledge of equine behavior - Work well in a team environment with the ability to work with staff from a variety of disciplines. - Work independently and possess good time management skills. - Follow established safety and horsemanship protocols. - Able to lift up to 35 pounds from the ground to waist height frequently during a normal workday (hay, grain, feed, tack boxes, saddles, feed buckets, etc.). - Able to walk and stand in/on uneven surfaces for up to 7 hours per day (i.e., warming up horses, tacking horses for sessions, leading horses for therapy sessions, bringing horses to and from their stalls over a 12 acre “farm/ranch” facility). - Possess the agility and dexterity to rapidly move toward or away from full-sized horses to protect the safety of the disabled rider and/or side walkers / horse handlers / therapists. - Must be able to jog, without stopping, approximately 150 yards on an uneven surface, while driving or leading a therapy horse. - Good communication and people skills. - Bilingual Spanish proficiency is a strong asset for this role but not required. - PATH certification in the area of Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning is encouraged but not required. Pay Range: $20-$30 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. For more information about NCEFT, please visit: nceft.org NCEFT is an equal opportunity employer.