Horse Farm Worker

DeKalb County; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

DeKalb County seeks a dependable Horse Care Attendant to manage daily horse care at the county horse farm. The role includes feeding, monitoring health, exercising, grooming, stall cleaning, and basic maintenance to ensure a safe, healthy environment for the animals.

The candidate should have strong horse-handling experience, reliable work history, and the ability to work with veterinarians and staff to support animal welfare and farm operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• One year work experience in any field required.
• Hands-on horse-handling and barn operations experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Feeds and waters horses according to established schedules or health programs.
• Monitors horse health and reports concerns to supervisor.
• Exercises horses and prepares them for turnout in a safe environment.
• Grooms, cleans horses, and maintains hooves and grooming areas.
• Cleans stalls, bedding, and equipment; washes and maintains facilities.
• Maintains fences and repairs as needed; assists boarding clients with handling.

Skills

Horse handling

Dependability

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Tractor operation

Power washing

Fence repair

Job description

Grade: 6 Salary Range: $19.00 - $23.91 FLSA: Nonexempt

The purpose of this classification is to care for horses housed at the County's horse farm and to perform general maintenance and upkeep of the facility.
Essential Functions:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Feeds and waters horses; feeds and waters horses per established schedules or to specific health recovery or maintenance programs; maintains feeding and watering records; and advises supervisor when supplies are needed.
Monitors horse health; provides general, day-to-day observation of health; reports emerging concerns or issues to supervisor; and coordinates with supervisor or veterinary staff to provide care as needed.
Exercises horses; moves horses out of and into stalls each day; provides enrichment or exercise to horses; and ensures an appropriate amount of exercise in a healthy environment.
Grooms and cleans horses daily or as needed; brushes coat, mane and tail; and cleans hooves and shoes.
Cleans stalls; cleans and changes bedding per established schedules or as needed; uses power washing equipment to handle difficult cleanups; and cleans or launders equipment.
Maintains fences; monitors the integrity of fences daily; and uses hand tools to repair damaged fences.
Provides assistance to boarding clients; and assists clients with moving horses for transport or with other handling as requested.
Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or GED required; one year work experience in any field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Supplemental Information:

• At least five years of hands-on horse-handling experience
• At least three years of experience performing barn operations and animal-care duties
• At least three years of experience operating farm equipment and performing related maintenance tasks, including tractor operation, arena grooming, and fence installation and repair
• Demonstrated dependability, punctuality, and effective communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, remain calm under pressure, and perform responsibilities safely and independently