Assistant Barn Manager

The Assistant Barn Horse Manager is responsible for assisting the Barn Manager with the care and management of approximately 80 college owned horses and 15 student boarded horses in a collegiate setting and the day to day operations of the equestrian center.  The Equestrian Department is part of a historic liberal arts college in Emory, Virginia, USA, on a rural campus in the picturesque Appalachian Mountains. Committed to excellence in teaching and mentored undergraduate research, the Department of Equine Studies is one of the college’s most vibrant and successful programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• This job requires proficiency in all aspects of horse care including first aid, bandaging, feeding, maintaining accurate records, supervision of student workers, excellent management skills and organizational skills are required. 
• The assistant manager is proficient in administration of intramuscular and intravenous injections and driving a horse trailer, tractors and other farm equipment. 
• During events or emergencies at the barn the candidate is expected to be present and on-call.  
• The Assistant Barn Manager will assist the Emory & Henry College team with routine barn and horse care throughout the week and weekends.
• The barn assistant’s first and primary responsibility each day is to help complete routine barn chores, which include cleaning stalls, blanketing/un-blanketing of horses(seasonal), bringing-in/turning-out of horses, picking horses feet after turn-out, dumping/scrubbing/filling water buckets, feeding and haying horses, stocking hay bales, sweeping the aisle way and making meals for the horses. 
• The Assistant Barn Manager will use the remainder of his/her time to complete additional chores to include but not limited to: 
  • Managing barn staff members on weekends and working closely with the Barn Manager on days when their schedules overlap
  • Assigning, supervising and assisting with daily tasks on weekends.
  • Contributing to the maintenance, health and proper care of school and boarder horses.
  • Assisting with Equestrian Center facilities and grounds maintenance and upkeep to ensure a clean and safe environment.
  • Assisting with veterinary and farrier visits.
  • Assisting with tacking and lunging, and riding as needed.
  • Watering and Dragging arenas.
  • Communicating closely with the Director and Barn Managers as issues arise and working closely with the Barn Managers to ensure smooth daily operations.
  • Completing additional tasks as required by Director or Barn Managers.
  • The Barn Managers and Assistant Manager will set a routine for these chores to be used regularly; however, specific or time-sensitive chores may replace the weekly routine at the Barn Manager’s discretion.

Education:  

• This job requires extensive horse management knowledge, an equine studies degree or similar is preferred. 

Skills and Abilities:  

• Self-motivated and able to work independently with a demonstrated eagerness to understand all aspects of the operational matters of the barn. 
• Previous experience working with horses management experience required.
• Must read, speak and understand English and have a valid driver's license. 
• Must be available to work 50 hours per week to include weekends.  Must be flexible with hours needed for each week as the need arises.  
• Organized, neat. 
• Reliable – shows up on time, consistently.  
• Great communication skills – will ask questions, be a great listener, open to learning.  
• Someone willing to pitch in where needed, but can get their own work done in a timely and effective way.