Equestrian Center Coordinator/Instructor (Onsite, Full-time)

Wilson College invites qualified candidates to apply for the role of Equestrian Center Coordinator/Instructor at our renowned Penn Hall Equestrian Center. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic team supporting both the academic and co-curricular missions of our Equine and Animal Studies Division.

This multifaceted position blends teaching with hands-on leadership at a large, active facility. The ideal candidate will be an experienced equine professional who thrives in a student-centered environment, serving as a mentor, instructor, and supervisor. If you're committed to humane horse care, educational excellence, and industry best practices, we encourage you to apply and make a lasting impact on the next generation of equine professionals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Collaborate with the Director of Equine Studies, faculty, coaches, Human Resources, donors, and Physical Plant to ensure compliance with all academic, safety, HR, and animal welfare standards.
2. Work in partnership with the Director of Equine Studies, Dean, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Business Office to develop and manage the Center’s budget.
3. Handle vendor management, including scheduling, invoicing, and payment for services (e.g., veterinarian, farrier, feed and bedding suppliers).

Facility and Equipment Management

1. Maintain the Center to high standards to support academic activities and impress prospective students and visitors.
2. Oversee operations of all facilities, including:
3. Hawthorne Arena (100’ x 300’)
4. Cook Arena (76’ x 204’)
5. Kitts Arena (150’ x 300’)
6. Over 20 acres of paddocks and pastures
7. Equipment storage, hay shed, and three barns with 71 stalls, wash stalls, and farrier stalls

Horse Care and Management

1. Oversee the daily care of up to 71 horses—including school-owned, leased, and student-owned animals—ensuring all aspects of care are addressed, such as schooling, feeding, watering, turnout, bringing horses in, stall cleaning, administering supplements, and coordinating medical care as needed.
2. Develop and manage horse use schedules in coordination with faculty, the Director of Equestrian Teams/Intercollegiate Athletics, and other stakeholders, including student clubs (e.g., potential riding or equine-related organizations), to support academic, athletic, and extracurricular programming.
3. Coordinate care plans for school-owned horses in partnership with Equine Studies faculty and staff to align with curricular needs and available resources.
4. Communicate and coordinate with student and private horse owners regarding the care and management of privately-owned horses on campus.
5. Oversee the acquisition process for new horses—whether by donation, lease, or purchase—including evaluation, trial periods, documentation, and transportation logistics.

Instruction and Student Engagement

1. Provide instruction, mentorship, and oversight for students completing in-class, out-of-class, and volunteer hours.
2. Integrate Center staff into the educational mission through delegation, skills demonstration, and professional development.
3. Teach two (2) ground training/management courses per semester.
4. Assist with other equine-related courses as needed.
5. Develop and maintain course syllabi aligned with student learning outcomes and accreditation standards.
6. Participate in program assessment and curriculum development.
7. Possess expertise in herd health and emergency care, general horsemanship, performance training, and facility operations.
8. Serve as an educational resource and facilitator for experiential learning in a living laboratory environment.

Staff Supervision

1. Supervise full-time, part-time, and student employees, including work-study students.
2. Foster a cohesive and efficient work environment through delegation and ongoing training.

COMPETENCIES:

1. Proven ability to manage a large equine facility with multiple functions such as academic classes, clinics, competitive events, boarding, and other equine-related activities.
2. Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to manage full-time, part-time, student, and volunteer staff.
3. Demonstrated commitment to safety, animal welfare, and operational excellence in equine facility management.
4. Fiscally responsible, with experience managing budgets and resources effectively.
5. Highly organized with the flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities and day-to-day challenges.
6. Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach to working with students, faculty, and staff.
7. Effective communicator and mentor, able to engage and guide students in both academic and experiential learning settings.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

1. Full-time, 12-month (year-round) schedule of 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday during daytime hours, with additional evening and weekend hours as needed based on events or operational demands.
2. Participates in a rotating on-call schedule for emergencies and is considered essential personnel during College closures
3. Non-Wilson-related business and teaching are permitted only during off hours and must not interfere with job responsibilities

TRAVEL:

1. Limited, based on the needs of the department.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science, Animal Science, or a closely related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
2. Minimum of five years’ experience managing a large-scale equestrian facility. (A combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.)
3. Experience working in a collegiate or educational institution setting preferred.
4. Prior experience teaching equine-focused courses in a college or academic environment.

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

1. The candidate must be able to drive College vehicles, including towing horse trailers, and adhere to all Wilson College driving policies.
2. Must possess a valid driver’s license and successfully complete Wilson College’s driver safety certification
3. Must pass a comprehensive three-part background check, including criminal history, child abuse clearance, and FBI fingerprinting