Equine Specialist

The Ridge RTC; Morrill (ME); On-site; USD 31,684 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

Altior Healthcare is seeking an Equine Specialist to support an equine program for youth in a residential setting. You will work under the Equine Program Manager to deliver horsemanship, EAP sessions with therapists, and safe handling of horses and other animals.

You will lead riding lessons, coordinate group lessons, match horses and riders for safety, and assist with barn management, grooming, tack maintenance and facilities upkeep while upholding trauma-informed care principles.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience riding horses.
• Experience with behavior and group management.
• Background checks including fingerprinting required.
• Must pass pre-employment physical and fitness tests.
• Knowledge of stable management and animal safety.

Responsibilities

• Facilitating horsemanship classes and EAP sessions with therapists.
• Provide riding lessons for eligible clients and supervise trials.
• Coordinate group horsemanship lessons with staff.
• Match horses and riders for safety and success.
• Care for horses: grooming, bathing, clipping, and tack maintenance.
• Assist with facilities maintenance and safety reporting.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Empathy

Communication

Professionalism

Judgment

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma / GED

College degree preferred

Job description

Our family of services comprises three distinct mental health treatment programs, including a specialized program for US Veterans. With over 15 unique locations, we manage and support 500+ dedicated employees serving over 300 residential clients daily located across five states: California, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, and Texas.

Paradigm Treatment (West Coast) and Ridge RTC (East Coast) partner together under Altior, united by a shared commitment to providing exceptional mental health care. For over a decade, our core clinical and support teams have worked side‑by‑side, delivering compassionate, evidence‑based treatment that changes lives.

As part of the Altior network, you’ll find the stability of an established organization with the heart of a close‑knit treatment community where every role matters.

Position Summary

The Equine Specialist works under the direction of the Equine Program Manager (EPM) to ensure appropriate and safe equine programming for clients. The candidate is motivated to have a positive impact on the lives of youth by helping them to engage meaningfully in growth and learning experiences with horses and other animals. They develop transferable life skills including communication, organization and time management, commitment to safety, teamwork, goal setting, follow through and celebration. The ideal candidate will have a passion for horses, experience as an instructor/trainer, knowledge of stable management, be capable of the physical demands of the role, and have experience working with youth in a residential setting.

Position Functions & Responsibilities

EAP

• Facilitating horsemanship classes for small groups in coordination with therapist
• Facilitating individual EAP sessions with therapists
• Providing EAL sessions in natural horsemanship, mounted and unmounted sessions
• Demonstrate compassion for people and animals consistent with the trauma‑informed workplace

Instructor

• Providing individual and small group riding lessons for eligible clients, as determined by EPM
• Ability to safely guide individual and small groups on trial rides
• Working in collaboration with EPM, Program Managers, and support staff to coordinate group horsemanship lessons of large groups of clients
• Match horses and riders for safety and success

Trainer

• Exercising and schooling horses
• Identifying and treating soundness issues
• Inspect tack & equipment for proper fit and safety, including tack cleaning and maintenance
• Use only non‑violent training and communication methods when working with horses

Barn Management

• Assisting the EPM in all aspects of horse care, including grooming, bathing, clipping
• Assist the EPM with facilities maintenance and repairs, including fencing and putting in hay, etc.
• Recognition of illness and injuries and reporting to EPM
• Following treatment plans for illness and injuries as directed by EPM
• Supporting and training clients in completing chores
• Completing chores as needed to ensure horses/animals receive quality care
• Assist during emergencies as needed. Ability to make decisions regarding calling a vet should the EPM be unavailable.
• Ensure proper and prompt communication with EPM of any incidents or concerns regarding either client safety in the barn, or horses' behavior that should be addressed.
• Applying knowledge and ability to care for goats and other farm animals.

Qualifications / Skills / Knowledge

• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to give and receive appropriate and timely communication
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to dependably & consistently serve as a positive role model to clients and peers
• Strong collaboration skills & teamwork ability
• Demonstrates empathy and compassion to support diversity and inclusion
• Proven success operating in dynamic and changing environments
• Demonstrates sound judgment & professionalism

Physical & Cognitive Requirements

• Must be able to pass a pre‑employment physical showing the ability to:
• Lift up to 75 pounds
• Carry 50 pounds for 30 feet
• Lift 35 pounds over head
• Traverse irregular, uneven, and steep terrain
• Complete tasks in a noisy environment
• Adhere to process protocol
• Apply established protocols in a timely manner

Required / Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working with and riding horses required
• Experience with behavior and group management required
• College degree in related fields preferred (social work, psychology, human services, etc.)
• Certification as an Equine Specialist a plus
• Must be able to pass extensive background checks, including fingerprinting
• High School Diploma / GED required

Salary & Benefits

$23 - $25 USD

• Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, and vision.
• 401k with 4% match.
• Paid Time Off Programs including vacation, holidays, and illness.
• Chef made meals onsite.
• Professional trainings provided for development; continuing education assistance for clinicians.
• Supportive clinical supervision and professional development.

Altior Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis forbidden under federal, state, or local law.