Lead Stable Hand

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is seeking a dedicated professional to oversee horse care and stable operations in a historic living-history setting. You will manage daily equine care, assist with carriage driving, and ensure safety and guest engagement across programs.

The role requires leadership experience, strong animal-handling skills, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of welfare and customer service in a museum environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; equivalent experience in horse care may be
• Experience working with horses, including a strong understanding of equine care, handling, and safety practices.
• Customer service or public-facing experience, with the ability to interact professionally with guests.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner while helping create a welcoming experience.
• Leadership experience and ability to oversee operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily care and management of all equines, including feeding, grooming, and turnout.
• Coordinate carriage operations and ensure horses are prepared for rides.
• Monitor health and welfare, maintain records, and report concerns to the Equine Manager.
• Lead interpretive programming and guest-facing educational experiences.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and adherence to protocols in all activities.

Skills

Horse care

Carriage driving

Public engagement

Leadership

Safety & compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Equine First Aid certification

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library. Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on-site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over five million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

Main Duties

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Horse Care & Stable Operations

• Lead and oversee the daily care and management of all equines, including feeding, watering, stall maintenance, turnout, grooming, and safe handling practices per the Equine Manager.
• Coordinate and support carriage operations by driving carriages and ensuring horses are properly prepared for rides through grooming, tacking, harnessing, and hitching procedures.
• Monitor equine health, welfare, and facility conditions, maintaining accurate records and
• Proactively communicating concerns regarding horses, equipment, pastures, blankets, and hoof care to the Equine Manager.
• Assist with and help oversee the administration of first aid, medications, and bandaging as directed, ensuring proper care, compliance, and documentation standards are maintained.

Collaboration & Programs

• Participate in and promote ongoing C&L training initiatives while serving as a resource and mentor in carriage driving, horse handling, and operational best practices.
• Coordinate and support equine training activities, veterinary and farrier visits, trailering operations, and cross-functional collaboration with internal departments.
• Lead and participate in interpretive programming as needed, including working in historical costume and supporting guest-facing educational experiences.
• Model exceptional guest engagement by providing friendly, knowledgeable interpretation and coaching team members on delivering high-quality visitor experiences.

Leadership and Operational Support

• Conduct routine inspections of fencing, pastures, turnout areas, and related facilities, communicating maintenance needs and helping prioritize corrective actions to ensure a safe
• Oversee key aspects of carriage operations, including horse preparation, footing assessments, driving responsibilities, and support for special events and programming activities.
• Monitor inventory levels of feed, hay, bedding, tack, and supplies, coordinating replenishment needs and helping ensure efficient daily operations.
• Model and enforce established protocols related to horse handling, carriage operations, equipment use, and guest interactions.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to organizational policies, animal welfare standards, and departmental operating procedures while promoting a culture of accountability and continuous
• Identify, address, and communicate safety hazards, equipment concerns, and operational risks in a timely manner, escalating issues as appropriate.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

Required Education And Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; equivalent experience in horse care may be
• Experience working with horses, including a strong understanding of equine care, handling, and safety practices.
• Customer service or public-facing experience, with the ability to interact professionally, positively, and courteously with guests, clients, and program participants.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner while helping create a welcoming, engaging, and positive experience for visitors and participants.
• Previous experience in a leadership role and ability to model strong leadership, oversight, and

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Studies, Agriculture Education, or a relevant work experience.
• Experience riding, training, or working horses, including groundwork, and basic training
• Current Equine First Aid certification or other relevant equine industry certifications
• Experience with carriage driving operations, historic interpretation programs, living history sites, museums, or equine-based tourism attractions.
• Experience working in a team-oriented environment with the flexibility to assist in a variety of farm and visitor engagement

Competencies

• Experience presenting to the public or participating in educational programs, demonstrations, or tours.
• Understanding of agricultural heritage, colonial history, or living history Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Team-oriented with strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Previous experience working with horses in a professional, agricultural, educational, or structured equine environment.
• Strong knowledge of horse care, including feeding, grooming, basic health monitoring, and stable management practices.
• Ability to confidently and safely handle, lead, groom, and work around large
• Willingness and ability to perform physically demanding work in a variety of weather
• Interest in history, agriculture, or educational programming, with a willingness to support interpretive and public engagement activities, is preferred.

Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.

• Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
• May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months

May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including but not limited to excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Physical Activity

• Stand – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Walk – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Sit – Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)
• Use hands/fingers – Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
• Climb or balance – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Reach with hands/arms – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Talk or hear – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Lifting up to 10 lbs. – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Lifting up to 25 lbs. – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Lifting up to 50 lbs. (with assistance) – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Lifting up to 100 lbs. (with assistance) – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift) – More than 100 lbs. (with assistance)
• Wet/humid conditions – Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
• Work near moving mechanical parts – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Fumes/airborne particles – Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)
• Extreme cold – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Extreme heat – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Risk of electrical shock – Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Driving requirement – Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)

Compensation Disclaimer

The compensation listed below for this position represents the anticipated hiring range and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role.

Range: $30.00 - $37.00/hour