Recreation Assistant (Animal Caretaker)

U.S. Air Force Academy•Air Force Academy, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This Non-appropriated Fund position is assigned to the Equestrian Center at the Air Force Academy in Colorado and does not include benefits. The Recreation Assistant provides care for government and privately owned horses and supports boarding, rental riding, trail riding, recreation programs, and events. Duties include feeding and watering horses; cleaning stalls, stable areas, water tanks, buckets, pastures, and other facility areas; and making minor fence and facility repairs. The incumbent observes horses for changes in behavior, appearance, or activity and reports concerns to a supervisor. Government horses may be medicated and treated under management and veterinary guidance. The position assists with ground and under-saddle work with government horses for the trail riding program; records routine horse-work status and completes horse evaluation forms; and maintains tack and equipment, including making recommendations and ensuring proper fit. The incumbent guides trail rides, assists with riding trips and events on and off base, and helps develop and maintain safety standards for the rental riding program. This includes providing safe riding and horse-handling guidance to patrons, volunteers, and staff. Additional duties include driving vehicles and trailers as assigned; handling customer service and administrative tasks such as answering phones and checking voicemails; selling retail items; operating a point-of-sale computer system for reservations, payments, and credit-card transactions; and promoting Equestrian Center and Outdoor Recreation programs and events. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Extensive work experience in the equine field, detailed knowledge of horsemanship and horse care, and skilled experience with horse training, horse evaluation, horse tack, farm equipment, and rules and procedures for equine activities, particularly safety practices.
Experience providing safe horsemanship and trail-riding instruction.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Good organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, and policies.
Computer experience sufficient to perform basic computer operations.
Valid driver's license and a copy of the applicant's driving record; the role requires safe operation of a motor vehicle, truck/horse trailer, and tractor.
Ability to meet the physical lifting requirement of up to 75 pounds and pass a favorable pre-employment physical.
Favorable background investigation; satisfactory completion of applicable background requirements.
Consent to and completion of pre-employment and random drug testing.
Ability to work an uncommon tour of duty if required.
Applicants must meet applicable qualification, eligibility, and background requirements. Education cannot substitute for required experience.

Nice To Haves

Equine-related certifications and/or documented equine-related training, including training in equine risk management and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

Care for government and privately owned horses, including feeding and watering them.
Clean stalls, stable areas, water tanks, buckets, pastures, and other facility areas; make minor repairs to fences and facilities.
Observe horses for changes in behavior, appearance, or activity and inform a supervisor when necessary.
Medicate and treat government horses according to management and veterinary guidance.
Assist with ground and under-saddle work with government horses for the trail riding program.
Report routine horse-work status and complete horse evaluation forms.
Maintain horse tack and equipment, including providing recommendations and ensuring proper fit.
Guide trail rides and assist with recreation riding trips, events, and programs on and off base.
Help develop and maintain safety standards for the rental riding program and provide safe riding and horse-handling guidance to patrons, volunteers, and staff.
Drive vehicles, trucks, horse trailers, and tractors as assigned and operate them safely.
Perform administrative and customer-service tasks, including checking voicemails and answering phones.
Sell Equestrian Center retail items and operate the point-of-sale system for reservations, payments, credit-card transactions, and other monetary transactions.
Assist with Equestrian Center boarding and rental riding activities and promote Equestrian Center and Outdoor Recreation programs, activities, and events.
Assist at events and perform other related duties as assigned.