Equestrian Director - North Woods & Pleasant Valley Camps

YMCA of Greater Boston

13d•$440 - $580•Onsite

About The Position

Assumes full responsibility for the horseback riding program including proper care, feeding, and grooming of 12 horses. Maintaining a clean, safe riding area, supervising and teaching of campers involved in the program, both in the ring and on the trails. Instruction to include western riding for North Woods and Pleasant Valley campers.

Requirements

High School graduate or equivalent
Extensive experience in the care of horses and prior instructional experience
Desire and ability to work with children and adults in camp setting
Ability to creatively schedule programs, facilities, and staff
Ability and experience in supervising staff and campers
Enthusiastic leader, sense of humor, patience, self-control, strong supervisory and counseling skills
Current CPR and First Aid certifications
Ability to communicate and work with groups participation (age and skill levels), and provide necessary instruction to campers
Abilities to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity

Responsibilities

To supervise other staff working with horses, both care and instruction.
To see that every camper has a happy, rewarding, and safe first experience of riding to ensure a healthy attitude toward horses and riding later in life.
Maintain clean and safe riding equipment
Ensure that horses are properly cared for: to include keeping horses clean, administering basic horse first aid and/or notifying Director,Outfitter, and Veterinarian (in that order) in case of illness orinjury to an animal
Instruct all campers in basic western riding, to include but not be limited to trail riding, trotting, and basic horsemanship
Keep riding ring and stable area clean
Keep fences repaired (report all repairs that are beyond Horseback Instructor’s ability to Camp Director)
Responsible for feeding and watering horses. Makes sure that adequate hay and grain are ordered and administered as per outfitter’sfeeding schedule
In the event of a lost camper, will ride trails during camp search
Keep trails cleared from falling trees, brush, and other hazards
Always maintain every prudent and practicalsafety precaution possible tominimize risksinherentto the program while still maintaining high quality program standards
To supervise counselors and Counselors-In-Training when they are assigned to assist in the program
Stimulate and promote improvement of skills through a challenging program that is of interest to campers of all ages
Encourage and help build camper confidence in horsemanship
Report all injuries immediately. If camper falls from a horse, nurse and director are to be notified immediately. At least one hour of observation isrecommended
Assist in camp where needed on rainy days when riding cannot be held
Be involved in the total camp program ensuring a safe and happy camping experience
Always adhere to the personnel policies and ensure that all personnel policies are adhered to by allthose who report to the Horseback Riding Instructor