Equine Therapy Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Summary:

The Equine Therapy Manager is responsible for the leadership and management of the complete and ongoing development and programming conducted by Southeastern Life Center’s Equine Therapy Program. Programming includes but not limited to adaptive riding, veteran programming, equine assisted psychotherapy/ mental health and learning and hippotherapy. The Equine Therapy Manager reports directly to the HORSE Therapies Committee and with their approval and oversight is responsible for supporting the mission and vision of Southeastern Life Center. The Equine Therapy Manager oversees the educational and recreational aspects of the program and is responsible for all program activities including development of new programs, PATH International Accreditation, budgeting, managing of staff and volunteers, herd and facility management, and the client relationships.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

1. Ensures and implements compliance with all applicable NC laws, rules, regulations, standards, and applies, obtains, and maintains PATH accreditation; Serves as PATH International Center Representative and ensures compliance in relation to PATH International standards and any other accredited organizational ties that Southeastern Integrated Care deems will serve the community and clients. 
2. Provides direct oversight of facility management including the design, build and maintaining of stables and grounds. 
3. Reports all conditions, operations, and needs of the organization to management, and maintains open and timely communication in a manner that is approved by Executive Director and Committee 
4. Develops, implements, manages, and evaluates all aspects of program management including but not limited to day-to-day delivery of services to provide excellent service and quality.
5. Oversees the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special activities. 
6. Including but not limited to; teaches/mentors adaptive riding lessons and maintains a schedule, so as no disruptions of services occur. 
7. Facilitates all aspects of the client relationship, including outreach, intake, and services. 
8. Provides direct oversight of all staff including recruitment, orientation, training, communication, scheduling, evaluation, recognition, and retention. Facilitates hiring and termination of staff as pre-approved by the HORSE Therapies Committee. 
9. Facilitates all aspects of the volunteer relationship including recruitment, orientation, training, communication, scheduling, evaluation, recognition, and retention. 
10. Ensures program quality through development of learning opportunities for staff, volunteers, instructors in training, therapists, and interns. 
11. Develops and implements appropriate guidelines for clients, staff, volunteers, instructors and therapists; Identifies and evaluates risks to the organization's resources and implements measures to control risk. 
12. Provides direct oversight of herd management including acquisition, daily/routine care, and retirement; Sets standard of care, develops relationships with equine trainers, instructors, veterinarians, and health care practitioners, and coordinates support services as needed. 
13. Provides direct oversight for the safety and security of the facility, including training on safety protocols. 
14. Works with Southeastern Integrated Cares Equine Therapy Committee to manage annual program, equine, facility, and volunteer budgets. 
15. Assists the Southeastern Life Centers Equine Therapy Committee in implementing public relations strategies to build awareness of its services within the community.
16. Assists Southeastern Integrated Cares Equine Therapy Committee with fundraising and participates in fundraising events.
17. Ensures outstanding service as demonstrated by meeting and exceeding PATH standards.
18. Other duties as assigned.  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position oversees staff including volunteers, equine therapists, horsemanship staff.  

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Horsemanship or a related field is required.
• 2-5 years related experience or equivalent education/experience is required. At least 1-2 years prior management experience is preferred.
• A combination of experience and education may be acceptable.

Required Skills/Abilities 

1. PATH International Certified Mental Health and Learning Instructor within 6 months of hiring
2. PATH International Therapeutic/Adaptive Riding Instructor Certification, required 
3. Thorough knowledge of PATH International standards and strong commitment to ensuring all HORSE Therapies staff and volunteers adhere to them. 
4. Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of disabilities and equine-assisted activities and therapies
5. Excellent knowledge of horsemanship and ability to teach others, required. 
6. Must have advanced horseback riding skills and ability to train therapy horses. 
7. PATH International Mentor
8. Extensive professional experience in leadership roles with demonstrated experience in program development and management, project management, financial, physical, and personnel resource management.
9. Demonstrated ability to assess community needs and develop, plan, implement new services or effectively modify existing services to meet these needs. 
10. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to foster positive, productive relationships among staff, volunteers, instructors, riders and their families. 
11. Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and computer skills 
12. Strong professional reputation and record of integrity, sound judgment and respect for established ethical standards. 
13. Ability to obtain and maintain a favorable criminal background report.

  Work Environment: 

1. Work requires occasional physical effort in handling of materials, up to 50 pounds, in strenuous work environment. 
2. Environment includes moderate noises. 
3. Requires sitting and use of computer and keyboard for extended periods of time Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time. 
4. Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less 
5. Precise hand-eye coordination with the ability to judge distance and space relationships. 
6. The ability to travel is required. 
7. Ability to work, day, evening, weekend and holiday hours as needed.