Equine Assistant 1 - Part Time

Job Description

Job Description

WHO WE ARE  Maple Lake Academy is a residential treatment center for adolescents (boys 13 to 18) on the autistic spectrum.  Our students are high functioning dealing with deficits in social skills, life skills, inability to understand their own emotions or put their emotions into words. We provide a safe and nurturing home like environment for our students to learn skills that push them in the areas mentioned above. Our team works with our client population daily, hands on, and in one-on-one situations. Maple Lake Academy sets ourselves apart in the mental-health industry by using an attachment-based approach, focusing on relationship building and modeling what healthy, secure relationships look and feel like. We seek to create a safe environment for students and employees to learn, grow, develop, explore, make mistakes, and build lasting impactful relationships with those around them.  
OVERVIEW

Looking for a positive team player who is able to be attentive and caring towards our animals and our clients. Has the ability to be flexible and self-motivated.

This is a position where you will be teaching 2-3 students' at a time equine and riding.  Must have some experience teaching riding skills.  You will be interreacting with our students, and also caring for the animals in a shared experience with co-workers.  There are barn and arena chores caring for animals, setting up feeding chores, moving hay, cleaning stalls, giving required animal medications, caring for arena etc. The focus of the Maple Lake Academy Equine Program is to provide the opportunity for our clients to learn many aspects of horsemanship in the spirit of compassion and friendship with the animals and each other. We are looking for someone who can help facilitate riding classes, assist students with feeding and care, care of the horses (feeding, riding, helping to track health records).  You should have solid equine experience combined with good discernment and common sense pertaining to horsemanship and all related skills. Our equine classes are small and diverse so quick decision making is crucial with strong emphasis on safety.  We are also looking for someone who is attentive to detail and has the ability to multitask.  You must be self-motivated, have the ability to take initiative and understand basic upkeep of barn and equine facility.  Must be able to take feedback, and be willing to be flexible. MUST HAVE Experience riding horses.  Must have knowledge of how to saddle and bridle a horse.  This will be a two-part interview.  First interview will be face to face to discuss experience. Second interview will be hands on where you will show us your skill level.  

 
SCHEDULE:  Part Time (about 25 hours a week) 
Monday: 10:00-3:00PM 

Tuesday: 8:30AM-3:30PM

Wednesday: 10:00-3:00PM

Thursday: 8:30AM-12:30PM

Friday: 10:00AM-2:00PM
Alternating a schedule on weekends to give medication with other equine team members

 
BENEFITS AND PERKS

• Immersive experience working with teens on the autism spectrum
• A very collaborative team between all departments
• Close teamwork among all staff
• A positive and supportive working environment
• Great work-life balance
• Employee activities and company parties throughout the year

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

• HS Diploma or GED.

EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years riding a variety of horses preferred.
• Must have basic knowledge of a horse. (signs of colic, what the behavior of a horse is communicating etc.)
• Skill in both English and Western preferred.  We mostly do Western riding.
• Must have experience in all aspects of equine care and management (you might be required to give oral, intramuscular and intravenous medications, clean, treat and wrap wounds).
• Experience coupling, uncoupling and towing a horse trailer is necessary.
• Previous experience supporting adolescents and/or autism spectrum clients is preferred but not necessary.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Age 21+
• Must be able to lift up to 75 lbs. bales of hay (most bales weight between 50-60 lbs. however, some could be heavier)
• Must be able to lift saddles and other objects found around the barn such as hay forks and tractor implements.
• Must be able to be "on your feet" for most of each day
• Ability to pass a background check upon hire
• Current valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record (no more than 3 moving violations within the last 5 years)

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist on teaching 10-15  hours of classes each week (varies by season)
• Teach equestrian skills to youth who are non-neurotypical
• Help, condition and train about 13 school horses
• Help pull stacks, place on pallets and move approximately 50 bales of hay to staging areas weekly
• Pull large tarps over high stacks of hay and help check the tie downs weekly and after windy weather
• Coach students and staff on proper feeding, watering and mucking techniques
• Perform necessary medical and other equine management services
• Water and groom arena riding areas as needed
• Communicate with the Equine Lead about broken tack issues which need to be addressed immediately and also any pending maintenance items (like doors, fans, gates, etc.)
• Learn to drive a small tractor with hay forks to move pallets of hay
• Learn to drive a TR-3 to drag the riding arena and aisleways, and a front end loader to push up manure piles and clean corrals
• Attend and complete all required training and maintain an up-to-date training record and certifications required by Maple lake Academy 
• Good communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to plan and prioritize work
• Other duties as assigned