Equine Care Assistant

Rockford Park District; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Rockford Park District is seeking an Equine Care Assistant for the Perks Family Equine Center at Lockwood Park. This seasonal role involves caring for horses, administering medications, and assisting with veterinary services.

The position requires a High School diploma or GED, experience with horses, and flexibility to work varied hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Valid driver’s license and safety training are preferred assets.

Qualifications

• High School graduate or GED; experience with horses preferred.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to work a varied schedule including weekends and holidays.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED training (can be obtained through the Rockford Park District).

Responsibilities

• Performs horse chore tasks including catching and feeding animals, medicating and worming as needed, feeding hay, tending to injuries, and handling for farrier/veterinarian services.
• Maintains medication and feed charts; records dosage information accurately.
• Observes horse behavior to identify sickness or injury and communicates safety concerns to supervisors.
• Opens and closes the facility with security privileges, and represents the Park District in interactions with participants and staff.
• Represents the Park District and ensures equipment is cared for; notifies supervisors about supply needs.

Skills

Horse care

Medication administration

Record keeping

Observation

Safety awareness

Driver's license

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Title

Equine Care Assistant

Department

Perks Family Equine Center

Status

Seasonal

Work Location

Lockwood Park - Perks Family Equine Center

Reports To

Lockwood

Wage

$16/Hour

Position Description

Performs horse chore tasks including but not limited to catching and feeding animals assigned for grain, medicating and worming animals as needed, feeding hay, tending to animal injuries, catching and holding horses for the farrier and veterinarian services

ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUES

Agency VisionTo be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve.Agency MissionThe Rockford Park District is in business to “help people enjoy life” by providing a quality park and recreation system.Vision & Planning SystemThe District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals.Policy Management & Operations SystemEvery team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team’s operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team’s operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks.Leadership by Values SystemLeadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging StatementThe Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds.

RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTURE

DefinitionSustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success.

ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENT

DefinitionTo work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District.ConnectednessDepartments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned

• Performs horse chore tasks including but not limited to catching and feeding animals assigned for grain, medicating and worming animals as needed, feeding hay, tending to animal injuries, catching and holding horses for the farrier and veterinarian services.
• Responsible for administration of medication to identified equine and farm animals; must be able to accurately record dosage information.
• Responsible for reviewing all feed and medication charts accurately and assuring all tasks are complete in an effective and safe manner.
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to constantly changing conditions around them.
• Must be able to observe and understand equine behavior; should be able to identify animals who are sick and/or injured.
• Informs Animal Operations Manager of supplies needed.
• Preserves and cares for equipment of the Rockford Park District.
• Assesses and informs Animal Operations Manager and Maintenance Supervisor of site safety concerns such as: facility users, equipment, hazards, etc.
• Represents the Park District in a friendly and positive manner when communicating with program participants, parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and all other park visitors.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings and training sessions as determined by the Animal Operations Manager
• Responsible for opening and closing the facility with security privileges

Requirements

Education/Experience

High School graduate or GED. Previous Experience working with or around horses required.

Critical Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Must be at least 18 Years of Age.
• Ability to problem solve in a variety of situations.
• Ability to work in an active setting with staff and volunteer
• Ability to work a varied schedule including times from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. including holidays and weekends.
• Ability to provide customers with expert care, sensitive consideration and efficient service.
• Ability to perform simple addition and subtraction; copying figures, counting, and recording.
• Ability to follow direction from the Animal Operations Manager, Program Coordinator, General Manager, and/or Manager on Duty, demonstrating flexibility as a team player.
• Ability to observe and troubleshoot issues throughout park and determine when a supervisor needs to be called.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, including situations involving participants, staff conflicts, and dissatisfied customers.
• Must have valid Driver’s License
• First Aid, CPR, and AED training (can be obtained through the Rockford Park District)

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Heavy Work

• Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force rarely.
• Exerting in excess of 50 pounds of force occasionally.
• Exerting in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to perform moderately physically intensive tasks, potentially including any combination of the following: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, repetitive motions, substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• This is a physically active position that involves stamina.

Work Environment

• Dirt is common during cleaning part of job tasks continually
• Noise while working on or near tractors while completing checklists/job tasks daily
• Temperature extremes may be encountered during routine job duties.
• Working with chemicals occasionally while cleaning.
• Work pace/pressure large crowds during events.
• May be exposed to hazardous vegetation (i.e., poison ivy) and insect bites while outdoors.
• May be exposed to extreme weather conditions during camp season, particularly rain and heat.
• May be working with flammable materials for fires.

Summary

Performs horse and farm animal chore tasks including but not limited to catching and feeding animals assigned for grain, medicating and worming animals as needed, feeding hay, tending to animal injuries, catching and holding horses for the farrier and veterinarian services