Part Time Equine Assistant

About the role

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 specializing in the treatment of children aged 5-14 with mild to severe trauma or neglect, psychiatric disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The facility offers a nurturing treatment setting with a 270-acre farm and a variety of therapy resources.

Responsibilities

• Join our Ranch team in helping traumatized children learn to succeed.
• Use your horse experience to change the lives of at-risk youth!
• Support our therapist in an Equine Assisted Mental Health Program serving our resident children.
• Perform routine ranch activities including stall and pasture cleaning.
• Provide assistance with care of the horses including feeding, turnarounds, grooming, basic first-aid, medication administration, and more.

Requirements

• 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
• Experience in EAP/Equine assisted mental health services, animal assisted mental health services, or adaptive/therapeutic riding
• Able to assist in safely leading equine activities with at risk children
• Pass a criminal background check, drug screen, physical, and TB test

Qualifications

• 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

Skills

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, and rotating holidays
• Ability to work several days per week between 1pm-7pm

Benefits & Perks

• 401k match of up to 6% after 1 year of employment
• Free meals on shift
• Professional development assistance

Schedule

This will be a scheduled part time role, working 28 hours per week. This position will work 8am-6pm every Saturday or Sunday. Other shifts will vary but hours will be between 1pm-7pm several days per week.

Pay

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