Part Time Equine Assistant

Willard Peak; Virginia, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match up to 6%

Free meals on shift

Professional development assistance

Job summary

Childhelp's Rite of Passage Team in Lignum, Virginia seeks an Equine Assistant to support an equine-assisted mental health program for residents aged 5–14. The role emphasizes horse care, ranch duties, and assisting therapists in a therapeutic setting.

The position offers 28 hours per week with shifts on Saturdays or Sundays from 8am–6pm, and occasional 1pm–7pm shifts. Candidates must have prior equine experience and be able to pass background checks.

Qualifications

• Must have at least 1 year of full-time experience working with horses.
• Knowledge of basic equine first aid and welfare.
• Ability to safely lead equine activities with at-risk children.

Responsibilities

• Maintain stalls and pastures; feed, turn-around, groom horses.
• Administer routine horse care and medications as directed.
• Support therapists in an equine-assisted mental health program for residents ages 5–14.

Skills

Horse handling

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CHA PATH EAGALA certifications

Tools

Ranch equipment

Manual tractor operation

Job description

Job Category: Professional Student Services

Requisition Number: PARTT018089

• Posted : September 9, 2026
• Full-Time
• Rate : $20 USD per hour

Locations

Showing 1 location

Lignum, VA 22726, USA

Description

Join a group of passionate advocates on our mission to improve the lives of at-risk youth! Rite of Passage Team is hiring for an Equine Assistant at Childhelp, Alice C. Tyler Village in Lignum, Virginia

Childhelp is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that specializes in the treatment of children aged 5-14 with mild to severe trauma or neglect, psychiatric disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Our unique location on a 270-acre farm provides a nurturing treatment setting with a variety of therapy resources. We bring the light of love and healing into the lives of countless abused and neglected children, and those suffering from psychiatric and behavioral disorders. We take a holistic approach to serving our children along with meeting their physical, emotional and educational needs. Becoming a member of our Childhelp team is more than a job, it’s an opportunity to create a meaningful career with a mission driven organization.

Pay: $18-$23 per hour, based on education and experience.

Perks & Benefits: 401k match of up to 6% after 1 year of employment, free meals on shift, professional development assistance and more! ROP-benefits-and-perks-2

What you will do: Join our Ranch team in helping traumatized children learn to succeed. Use your horse experience to change the lives of at-risk youth! Our dedicated team cares for the horses, facility and supports our therapist in an Equine assisted mental health program serving our resident children.

Responsible for performing routine ranch activities including stall and pasture cleaning, providing assistance with care of the horses including feeding, turn arounds, grooming, basic first-aid, medication administration and more.

To be considered you should:

• Be at least 19 years of age
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have a valid drivers license and acceptable driving record for the past 3 years
• Minimum of one (1) year of full-time experience working with horses
• Must have previous equine experience and the ability to safely handle horses independently
• Knowledge of basic equine first aid/wellness and care
• Expereince in EAP/Equine assisted mental health services, animal assisted mental health services, or adaptive/therapeutic riding
• Ability to assist in safely leading equine activities with at risk children
• Be able to pass a criminal background check, drug screen, physical, and TB test. This is a tobacco free facility.

Preferred qualifications for higher end of pay range:

• Knowledge of ranch equipment, machine operation and ability to drive manual tractor
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university and one to two years related professional equine experience and/or training preferably in an equine therapeutic setting
• Current CHA, PATH, or EAGALA certifications
• Experience in EAP/equine therapy, animal assisted therapy, or therapeutic riding
• Ability to ride at a CHA level 3 or above. Riders must be under 180 pounds
• Experience working with children/adolescents with emotional/behavioral disturbances in a residential treatment facility for children ages 5 – 14 years

Schedule: This will be a scheduled part time role, working 28 hours per week. This position will work 8am-6pm Every Saturday or Sunday. Need to have the ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, and rotating holidays. Other shifts will vary but hours will be between 1pm-7pm several days per week.

After 40 years of improving the lives of youth, we are looking for passionate advocates to continue the legacy of helping young people become successful adults. As an Equine Assistant, you will have the unique opportunity to create a positive, safe and supportive environment for the youth we serve while building a career rich in growth opportunities and self-fulfillment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.