JOB SUMMARY

The Barn Assistant is responsible for providing Leg Up Farm horses and facility with the best daily care and management.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

•  All daily care of the horses; including feeding, mucking stalls, turnout, blanketing, etc.
• Maintaining medical records for each of the horses.
• Routine maintenance of riding spaces to include watering and harrowing.
• Routine grooming and/or medical treatments for horses as assigned.
• Basic maintenance in equine spaces as needed.
• Landscaping and maintenance of pastures and grounds.
• Perform repairs or facility improvements as assigned by manager.
• Completion of weekly and monthly barn tasks are assigned.
• Examines each animal for signs of sickness or inquiry; follows departmental protocols if any adverse conditions exist.
• Maintains neat and orderly riding areas, tack room, feed room, and aisles.
• Oversees the activities of barn volunteers.
• All other tasks as assigned.
•  Communicates with volunteers in a positive and respectful manner
• Solicits volunteer feedback; encourages volunteer interaction on a consistent basis
• Maintains an environment conducive to volunteer safety
• Serves as a role model and mentor to equine volunteers – expresses appreciation and gratitude for their service
• This position belongs to a class of employees referred to as Essential Personnel. Essential personnel are those needed on site to meet the needs of our animals, plants, or general maintenance operations when the facility is closed due to inclement weather conditions. Essential personnel must report to work during their regularly scheduled hours, unless directed otherwise by their Supervisor. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Completion of New Staff Orientation Trainings
• Current State Child Abuse History Clearance 
• Current State Police Record Check 
• Current Federal Criminal History Background Check (FBI Fingerprinting) 
• Compliance with Drug Testing & Satisfactory Drug Testing Results 
• Valid PA Driver’s License; Proof of Automobile Registration and Required Insurance
• Knowledge of Leg Up Farm policies and procedures and the ability to ensure proper implementation.
• Basic Computer Literacy Skills including word processing, spreadsheets, and emails 
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication 
• Basic mathematic skills
• Highly detail-oriented, able to work independently, multi-task, enjoy interfacing with other staff at all levels 
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and written 
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of protected health information (PHI) and proprietary business practices 
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and in a client-centered, developmental, environmental model of therapy
• Strong Commitment to Organization’s Mission, Vision, & Culture of Positive Attitude, Passion, Teamwork, and Respect 
• High Degree of Personal Integrity and Professional Conduct 
• High Degree of Flexibility and Dependability 
• Deep Sense of Compassion and Responsiveness to Client’s Needs 
• Exemplify the six Guiding Principles of Leg Up Farm:

1. We will remember to HAVE FUN!
2. We are supportive and respect everyone we interact with and treat them as family.
3. We are “present” in all interactions.
4. We foster a “can-do” attitude by focusing on the strengths and creativity of each individual.
5. We are committed to continual improvement, both personally and professionally.
6. We are open to change, so we can be innovative.

Preferred:

• High School Diploma or GED Certificate
• Minimum two years’ experience riding, managing and training horses
• Mandated Reporting and Child Abuse Training 
• First Aid & CPR/AED Certification 
• Safe Crisis Management Certification
• Strong knowledge of equestrian activities and management

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; run; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to safely dismount riders up to 200 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This position is subject to a number of inherent risks associated with equine activities. There is a potential exposure to dander of animals. This position is subject to a number of inherent risks associated with pediatric services which is not limited to bites, kicks, scratches, and hits.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the job.

Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties and responsibilities in this job description may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Further, this document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, or the expectation of continued employment. LEG UP FARM is and will maintain an “at-will” employment relationship with all employees. The employment relationship may be terminated at any time by either party for any reason, or for no reason, with or without cause and with or without notice.