Full-Time Live-In Position for an equine veterinary hospital and 30-horse boarding and training facility in rural Santa Fe County, NM. We are seeking a reliable, self-starting individual with strong mechanical and property maintenance abilities, to help us maintain equipment and property, and to support the veterinary clinic and boarding facility.
This is a unique opportunity that will include on-site housing for the right applicant. The person you will be replacing has been with us for almost 19 years and has personal reasons for needing to make a change in his life. We hope to hire someone that has horse experience (and in a perfect world equine vet experience) but we realize this may be difficult. The vet/horse experience requirement is not absolute but is a plus. We can train these things, but a person must have some natural affinity for animals (horses) and a strong interest in learning.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Equipment Operation, maintenance, and repair: Operating and maintaining farm equipment and maintaining maintenance records- 35 and 50 HP tractors with loaders, one with removeable backhoe, ATVs, and implements like arena plows, mowers, blade and disc. We will need help with minor engine/equipment repair (ATV, mowers), carpentry, plumbing, minor electrical, and welding. Basic skills in these areas are essential.
Facilities Maintenance: Routine repairs and preventative maintenance for barns, stalls, fencing, and equipment. Fencing and welding broken pipe corrals. Handyman and problem-solving skills are essential.
Grounds: Arena dragging, mowing, general property upkeep, and irrigation/water system monitoring. Keeping these areas functional and professional-looking is essential.
Keeping supplies: Managing some inventory (hay, feed, supplies) and ensuring stable has what it needs.
Emergency help- Since you live on the property, you will be expected to help us solve unexpected facility emergencies. Examples might include a broken water line, an ATV that won’t start, or a broken stall door in the equine hospital. You would receive an after- hours stipend for helping outside of business hours.
LESS IMPORTANT- Horse Experience: Ideally should have some horse experience or interest in horses: Desirable to be able to help out sometimes with boarding or vet clinic- daily feeding, turnout/blanketing, administering medications/supplements, monitoring health. Opportunity to learn equine vet tech or assistant skills if desired.
Qualifications
Demonstrated mechanical aptitude in repair and maintenance. You should be able to troubleshoot and fix or at least diagnose a stalled or inoperable piece of equipment. Tractor and equipment maintenance and greasing, oil and filter changes.
You should be able to fix a broken area of pipe, wood, or wire fence.
Basic plumbing- fix a broken water line, minor electrical- fix a broken wall switch or install a light fixture.
basic carpentry. Ideally you could build something like a simple outdoor loafing shed for horses out of lumber and pro-panel.
Proven experience in equipment operation and maintenance. Should be able to easily groom an arena with an arena plow or blade a road to remove snow.
Must be highly reliable, a proactive problem-solver, and possess a strong work ethic, and should be able to get along with the other staff.
Ability to easily lift and carry 50 lbs or more, and be willing to work as necessary outdoors in extreme weather conditions.
Valid driver’s license and clean background check are required.
To Apply:
Please reply to this ad with the following:
1. A current resume outlining your relevant experience and a short cover letter explaining why you think this might be a good fit, including what you consider is fair compensation for this job. Please include your salary requirements in your reply.
2. Your preferred contact information.
3. If the fit seems promising, we will ask for 3 references.
Serious inquiries only. PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR VISIT THE PROPERTY. We look forward to hearing from you!
