Stable Hand

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation seeks a Horse Care & Stable Operations team member to maintain daily equine care, assist carriage rides, and support guest interactions in a historic site setting.

Responsibilities include daily horse care, health monitoring, and collaborating with vets and staff to ensure a safe, engaging visitor experience. A high school diploma or GED is required, with preference for equine science background.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED completed or equivalent experience in horse care.
• Solid knowledge of horse care, feeding, grooming and health monitoring.
• Background in customer service or public-facing roles.
• Ability to represent the organization professionally and welcome guests.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily equine care including feeding, watering, stall cleaning, turnout, grooming.
• Support carriage operations by driving carriages and preparing horses for rides.
• Monitor health and safety of horses and report concerns to the Equine Manager.
• Assist in basic first aid, medications, and documentation as directed.
• Participate in training, veterinary and farrier visits, and programming support.
• Engage in interpretive programming and provide guest-facing experiences.

Skills

Horse care

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Professionalism

Public-facing

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's in Equine Science

Tools

Carriage driving

Vehicle operation

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 people 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

• Assist with daily care of all equines, including feeding, watering, stall cleaning, turnout, grooming, and safe handling and movement.
• Support carriage operations by driving carriages and preparing horses for rides, including grooming, tacking, harnessing, and assisting with hitching and unhitching.
• Monitor, record, and report equine health and safety concerns to the Equine Manager by observing horses, equipment, pastures, blankets, and hoof condition.
• Assist in the administration of basic first aid, medications, and bandaging as directed, ensuring proper care and documentation.

Collaboration & Programs

• Participate in regular C&L trainings and actively develop skills in carriage driving and operations to support programming needs.
• Assist with equine training activities, veterinary and farrier visits, trailering, and collaboration with internal departments.
• Engage in interpretive programming as needed, including working in historical costume and supporting guest-facing experiences.
• Assist with programming through friendly and knowledgeable interpretation to create a positive guest experience.

Operational Support

• Communicate daily to the Equine Manager any fencing, pasture, and turnout areas that may require maintenance to ensure a safe and secure environment.
• Support carriage operations through driving, footing, horse preparation, and assistance with special events and programming.
• Monitor and help manage inventory of feed, hay, bedding, tack, and supplies to ensure efficient daily operations.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all established safety protocols related to horse handling, carriage operations, and guest interaction.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, animal welfare standards, and operational procedures.
• Identify and report safety hazards, equipment issues, or concerns in a timely manner

Required Education And Experience

• High School Diploma or GED (or equivalent experience in horse care)
• Experience working with horses with a solid understanding of basic care and handling practices.
• Background in customer service or public-facing roles, with the ability to interact professionally and positively with guests, clients, or program participants.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner while contributing to a welcoming and engaging visitor experience.
• Team-oriented with good communication skills and a positive attitude.
• Previous experience working with horses in a professional or structured setting.
• Strong knowledge of horse care, feeding, grooming, and health monitoring.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Studies, or a related field
• Equine riding and/or training experience, particularly in breaking and groundwork
• Equine First Aid certification or other relevant industry certifications
• Previous experience in carriage driving operations, historic sites, or tourism-focused equine programs
• Interest in history and willingness to support interpretive programming is a plus.

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

Frequency

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)

Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)

More than 100 lbs. (with assistance)

Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)

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: $19.00 - $22.00/hour