Equine Care Specialist

Humane-Society-of-North-Texa; Joshua (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Humane Society of North Texas in Joshua, Texas, is seeking a Barn Assistant to care for equine and livestock, perform routine husbandry, clean facilities, and assist veterinarians and farriers. This role involves feeding, monitoring health, handling animals safely, and supporting adoption processes.

Candidates should have an Associate degree (Bachelor preferred in animal field), at least 2 years of equine handling experience, and familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Qualifications

• Must have 2 years of experience handling equines.
• Associate's degree required; Bachelor's in animal field preferred.
• Knowledge of adoption, cleaning and medical protocols.
• Ability to drive a truck pulling a horse trailer preferred.

Responsibilities

• Care for, feed, monitor and perform minor treatment on equine and livestock.
• Assist veterinarian and farrier with procedures and hoof work.
• Maintain barn, vehicles and inventory; report repairs.
• Process adoption applications and act as adoption counselor.
• Represent the society with excellent customer service.

Skills

Equine handling experience

Animal handling safety

Communication skills

Reading & writing

MS Office (Word, Excel)

Driver qualification

Education

Associate degree required

Bachelor's degree in animal field preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Care for, feed, monitor and perform minor treatment on equine & livestock animals. Includes performing routine husbandry with equine (horses, donkeys) and some chickens, such as cleaning hooves, maintaining coats by brushing and bathing, and deworming. Assist veterinarian by holding animals for procedures (such as teeth floats, castrations, and blood draws). Assist farrier with hoof work on animals.
• Clean assigned barn and facility areas on a daily basis.
• Maintain assigned equipment, supplies and vehicles in safe condition and report any problems or needed repairs to the Barn Manager.
• Report observed health and behavior issues to the Barn Manager.
• Process equine & livestock adoption applications and serve as adoption counselor with prospective adopters.
• Must be eligible to be a “driver” for the Humane Society of North Texas and must perform “driver” duties. Such “driver” duties may include, but not be limited to, driving a Box Truck, Adoption Trailer, or livestock trailer. Must possess skills to drive vehicle pulling horse trailer (bumper and gooseneck styles).
• Enter animal intake, medical, behavioral, and outcome data into animal management database.
• Keep current inventory of necessary program supplies and report shortages to Barn Manager.
• Represent the Humane Society of North Texas by providing excellent customer service.
• Protect the confidential information on customers and donors.
• Additional tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Humane Society of North Texas policies and protocols, such as, but not limited to, adoption, cleaning and medical protocols.
• Working knowledge of breeds, diseases, medical conditions, and animal handling and behavior.
• Ability to handle animals safely and with patience and gentleness.
• Comfortable interacting with all levels of behavior in farm animals (some animals come in with little training).
• Ability to represent, create, and sustain positive working relationships within the Humane Society of North Texas in a professional manner in all situations with the public, volunteers, and staff, as a team player.
• Must be patient, courteous and work well under stressful conditions.
• Initiative and flexibility in constantly changing work demands.
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to learn and quickly adapt to changes in programs and procedures.
• 2 years of experience handling equines.
• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree in an animal field preferred.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Regular exposure to animal odors, diseases, possible contagious conditions, bites, scratches and moderate noise levels.
• Regular exposure to the outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• This position is regularly required to use hands to fingers, handle, talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel or crouch.
• The position holder must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance, up to 80 pounds with assistance.
• Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Required Professional Licensing or Certifications

• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s license. Ability to drive a truck pulling a horse trailer (bumper pull or goose-neck) preferred.

Working Conditions

• The individual performing this job may be required to work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by the individual. Other duties than those listed herein may be assigned.