Equestrian Director - North Woods & Pleasant Valley Camps

YMCA of Greater Boston; Pleasant Valley (PA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Boston is seeking a Horseback Riding Instructor for Pleasant Valley Overnight Camp. You will supervise and teach campers in western riding, including trail riding, trotting, and basic horsemanship in a safe, engaging setting.

Responsibilities include caring for 12 horses, keeping equipment clean, leading instruction, maintaining the riding area, and coordinating with camp leadership to provide a rewarding first riding experience.

Qualifications

• Horse care experience and prior instructional experience.
• Desire and ability to work with children and adults in camp setting.
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications.

Responsibilities

• To supervise other staff working with horses, both care and instruction.
• Instruct campers in western riding, including trail riding, trotting, and basic horsemanship.
• Maintain clean and safe riding equipment and riding area.
• Keep fences and stables in good repair and report issues to Camp Director.
• Ensure proper care of horses, including feeding per outfitter’s schedule.
• Assist in camp operations and ensure safe, enjoyable riding experiences.

Skills

Horse care

Instruction experience

Camp supervision

CPR/First Aid

Safety leadership

Staff supervision

Education

High School graduate

Job description

Department: Child Development: Overnight Camp

Location: Pleasant Valley Overnight Camp

Compensation: $440 - $580 / week

Description

Assumes full responsibility for the horseback riding program including proper care, feeding, and grooming of 12 horses. Maintaining a clean, safe riding area, supervising and teaching of campers involved in the program, both in the ring and on the trails. Instruction to include western riding for North Woods and Pleasant Valley campers.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibility:

To supervise other staff working with horses, both care and instruction. To see that every camper has a happy, rewarding, and safe first experience of riding to ensure a healthy attitude toward horses and riding later in life.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Maintain clean and safe riding equipment
• Ensure that horses are properly cared for: to include keeping horses clean, administering basic horse first aid and/or notifying
• Director,Outfitter, and Veterinarian (in that order) in case of illness orinjury to an animal
• Instruct all campers in basic western riding, to include but not be limited to trail riding, trotting, and basic horsemanship
• Keep riding ring and stable area clean
• Keep fences repaired (report all repairs that are beyond Horseback Instructor’s ability to Camp Director)
• Responsible for feeding and watering horses. Makes sure that adequate hay and grain are ordered and administered as per
• outfitter’sfeeding schedule
• In the event of a lost camper, will ride trails during camp search
• Keep trails cleared from falling trees, brush, and other hazards
• Always maintain every prudent and practicalsafety precaution possible tominimize risksinherentto the program while still
• maintaining high quality program standards
• To supervise counselors and Counselors-In-Training when they are assigned to assist in the program
• Stimulate and promote improvement of skills through a challenging program that is of interest to campers of all ages
• Encourage and help build camper confidence in horsemanship
• Report all injuries immediately. If camper falls from a horse, nurse and director are to be notified immediately. At least one hour of
• observation isrecommended
• Assist in camp where needed on rainy days when riding cannot be held
• Be involved in the total camp program ensuring a safe and happy camping experience
• Always adhere to the personnel policies and ensure that all personnel policies are adhered to by allthose who report to the
• Horseback Riding Instructor

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Extensive experience in the care of horses and prior instructional experience
• Desire and ability to work with children and adults in camp setting
• Ability to creatively schedule programs, facilities, and staff
• Ability and experience in supervising staff and campers
• Enthusiastic leader, sense of humor, patience, self-control, strong supervisory and counseling skills
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications

• Ability to communicate and work with groups participation (age and skill levels), and provide necessary instruction to campers
• Abilities to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity