Job Title: Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Location: Rainy Day Ranch
Reports To: Program Director and Administrative Director
Salary: DOE
Position Overview
Instructors are responsible for delivering adaptive riding lessons, equine management during hippotherapy treatments, and schooling horses. They are expected to meet the highest standards of safety, communication, planning and evaluation.
Key Responsibilities
Instructing adaptive riding lessons.
Developing effective plans for riders.
Performing intake assessments for new riders.
Ensuring that rider files, rider notes, and schooling notes are always up to date, accurate, and well-secured.
Teach volunteer trainings as needed.
Assisting with community and fundraising events as needed.
Assisting with tasks related to equine care.
Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Maintains PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certificate, or willing to obtain.
Three years experience working with people of all abilities.
One year experience as an instructor in riding and/or horsemanship.
U.S. citizen or valid resident/work permit.
Valid driver's license.
Must pass a Washington State Criminal History background check.
CPR/First Aid Certified.
Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Professional and positive attitude at all times.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with riders, families/caregivers and volunteers.
Experience working with people of all abilities.
Knowledge and experience in natural horsemanship, and/or willingness to learn.
Experience, coursework or other training in current riding or training activities/trends.
Team building and team participation skills.
Able to lead, motivate, and set objectives.
Assertive communicator, good listener, resolution focused, organized and tidy.
Complexity/Problem Solving
Resolves problems and elevates issues to supervisor appropriately.
Proactively anticipates and prevents problems.
Negotiates, mediates and resolves interpersonal conflicts and customer service issues.
Able to evaluate immediate circumstances for wellbeing and safety and make decisions in the best interest of patient/rider, instructor and horse.
Discretion/Latitude/Decision-Making
Able to make good decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment.
Duties performed under general supervision and established guidelines.
Maintains confidentiality of sensitive and private information.
Demonstrates common sense, flexibility, and teamwork. Tracks progress on tasks and does follow-up as needed.
Acts as a resource for others to solve problems.
Refers difficult questions and unusual problems to the supervisor.
Communications/Interpersonal Contacts
Able to communicate assertively and convey clear direction and feedback to riders, volunteers and other instructors.
Provides direct communication on progress and issues to riders and their families.
Able to build positive and effective relationships within our community and organization.
Able to be constructive, flexible and calm under pressure.
Working Conditions/Physical Effort
Requires strenuous physical exertion and/or physical strain.
Involves exposure to disagreeable weather conditions.
Requires occasional long hours, evening and weekend work.
Requires a positive attitude despite physical or mental adversity.
Rainy Day Ranch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
