Assistant Equestrian Coach

Regular full-time position located in Hanover, NH. Onsite only; not eligible for remote work.

About the role

Assist the head coach in planning, coaching, recruiting, administering, and promoting the equestrian program within NCAA, NCEA, Ivy League, and institutional standards.

Responsibilities

• Coaching/Mentoring (40%)
  • Assist head coach in conducting team practices, training, conditioning, and competitions.
  • Prepare horses and arena for practices.
  • Teach equitation skills to student-athletes.
  • Demonstrate sincere interest in the academic, personal, and physical welfare of each student-athlete; counsel team members and consult with the head coach and appropriate College staff as necessary for resolution of issues.
• Horsemanship (20%)
  • Assist in caring for horses with meticulous attention to detail, including feeding, turnout, equine first aid, cleaning stalls, and maintaining care of tack and equipment.
  • Work with head coach to maintain an appropriate training and fitness plan for each horse, including riding, lunging, and warming up horses at competitions.
• Recruiting (20%)
  • Assist head coach in developing and implementing an overall recruiting plan: identifying qualified students and talented athletes, communicating with prospects by phone, mail, and email, organizing and participating in campus visits, and maintaining NCAA-required recruiting records.
  • Maintain knowledge of the College’s programs and opportunities to effectively inform prospects.
• Administration (10%)
  • Know and comply with NCAA and Ivy League rules; ensure athletes and athletics representatives are informed of and comply with these regulations.
  • Assist the head coach in planning and administering the equestrian program budget, including assessing needs for equipment, team travel, and recruiting.
  • Plan and reconcile team expenses.
  • Assist in planning and developing a competitive schedule.
  • Coordinate team travel and meals.
  • Keep alumni, parents, and supporters informed of the program’s status through newsletters, brochures, talks, social media, etc.
  • Promote Dartmouth and the equestrian program within the community.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, fans, community members, and the media.
  • Represent Dartmouth, the athletic department, and the equestrian program professionally.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions and communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5 years’ experience competing and/or coaching at the NCEA collegiate/3’6” level.
• Positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and focus on quality and care.
• Ability to operate vehicles, small equipment, tools, and tractors as needed.
• Ability to work in all types of weather, including extreme heat and cold.
• Ability to lift, pull, or push up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods; bend, kneel, stoop, reach overhead and below.
• Ability to work effectively in environments with dirt, dust, pollen, and animal hair/feathers.
• Willingness to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong working knowledge of correct equitation.
• Previous experience riding/training horses at the 3’6” equitation level.
• Previous experience teaching riding lessons.
• Must be able to drive a vehicle (Dartmouth vehicle, rental car, or personal car) as an essential function of the job.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years coaching at the NCEA collegiate/3’6” level.
• Bachelor’s degree in Equine Studies.
• Experience loading and hauling horses with a bumper pull and/or gooseneck horse trailer.