Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Salary Range: $25-27 hourly, depending on experience and certification 

Background: 

Founded in 1977, Halleck Creek Ranch (HCR) invites people with disabilities, and their families, to live a “life without barriers” through equine-assisted activities and therapeutic horseback riding. HCR was recently gifted RockRose Ranch, an additional, 120-acre horse ranch nearby in Nicasio, upon which they intend to expand their programming and efforts to fulfill their mission. More information can be found at www.halleckcreekranch.org. 

Halleck Creek Ranch was founded on the guiding principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At HCR, we cultivate a culture of inclusion, celebrate people for who they are, and focus on what their capabilities are. 

Experienced, open-minded, and enthusiastic employees are critical to our ability to connect people with disabilities and horses, strengthen our community, and to achieve our mission. 

Position Summary: 

Our Therapeutic Riding Instructors (TRIs) provide life-changing equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities by designing and delivering safe, engaging, and goal-oriented riding lessons. TRIs monitor participant progress, train and supervise volunteers, and support the care and conditioning of program horses. The ideal candidate has strong horsemanship skills, teaching experience in arena and trail settings, and a passion for fostering growth and inclusion through equine-assisted activities. This position plays a vital role in advancing our mission to empower individuals through the transformative bond between humans and horses. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

● Lesson Instruction 

o Instruct assigned riding, groundwork classes, and other program activities for students of all ages with disabilities in a timely, professional and safe manner. 

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o Develop and teach stimulating, engaging and appropriate lesson plans for each participant after consultation with the Program Director. 

o Communicate lesson plan, participant goals and pertinent information to other staff, volunteers and participants as appropriate, while also maintaining 

confidentiality. 

o Adhere to Halleck Creek Ranch Policies, using PATH Intl. standards as a guide for best practices. 

o Maintain safety standards for all participants, guests, volunteers, horses and staff. o Ensure safe and respectful care and use of HCR horses and equipment. 

● Volunteer Management 

o Develop effective volunteer teams, leveraging the skills and knowledge of Team Leader volunteers if/when appropriate. 

o Assign various tasks and duties to volunteers throughout the day, taking into consideration their interests, abilities and strengths. 

o Ensure quality volunteer performance through on-going, on-the-job instruction and training of volunteers. 

o Assist Program Director, Team Leaders and other staff members to provide volunteer training and education. 

o Communicate with the Program Director and/or Volunteer Coordinator to ensure there are a sufficient number of trained volunteers for each participant and activity. o Solicit volunteer feedback and encourage volunteer interaction on a consistent basis, i.e. through discussions, trainings, interactions. 

● Horse Care 

o Routinely assess horses for use in our programs, alerting the Program Director of any physical or behavioral concerns. 

o Assist in executing the designated exercise program specific to each horse. o Communicate with the Program Director with any concerns that may arise with any of the horses. 

o Handle horses in a way that is compliant with Halleck Creek Policies and PATH Intl. standards as a guide for best practices. 

● Administrative Responsibilities 

o Ability to hold confidential information and apply discretion and excellent judgment. 

o Develop the daily lesson schedule with assignment of roles and responsibilities, using assigned resources (horses, tack, volunteers, students). 

o Prepare written lesson plans for each student and track student progress through written progress notes on each student taught. 

o Maintain daily rider attendance and horse usage records. 

o Periodically assist in the evaluation and onboarding of new horses. 

Essential Qualifications 

● At least 2 years of experience in riding and horsemanship. 

● Minimum of 1 year working with individuals with disabilities. 

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● Proficiency in understanding equine behavior and ensuring safety. 

● Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively. 

● Willingness to provide constructive and encouraging feedback to volunteers. ● Excellent problem-solving abilities. 

● Commitment to fostering a work environment rooted in integrity, adaptability, reliability, collaboration, and continuous learning. 

● Team-oriented mindset with outstanding verbal and written communication skills. ● Ability to uphold and promote the organization's mission and values, including its dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. 

● Successful completion of a background check. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

● Bachelor’s degree in a related field or at least 2 years of relevant work experience. ● Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification. 

● Bilingual proficiency in Spanish (verbal and written). 

● Proven supervisory experience. 

● Background in teaching within the Equine Assisted Services (EAS) industry. ● Experience working with students who have developmental, learning, or behavioral differences. 

● PATH Intl. certification or demonstrated progress toward achieving certification. ● Practical riding experience in both arena and trail settings. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

This job operates in a ranch/rural environment. Exposure to dust, elements, animals, grass, weeds, trees, uneven terrain, and those items associated with a ranch environment. The job also requires the routine use of equestrian equipment such as saddles, brushes, bridles, blankets, and other types of tack and adaptive equipment associated with operating an adaptive equestrian program on a rural property. It also requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak loudly and clearly, stand for prolonged periods (up to four hours at a time), walk for 

prolonged periods in sand and on uneven rocky terrain, use hands to handle or feel, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel or crawl. The employee must also be able to lift up to 40 pounds, or lift or move over 40 pounds with assistance. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The position requires regularly working with equipment typically associated with horses. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Potential exposure to a variety of extreme weather conditions while on facility grounds, e.g. wind, rain, hail, heat, and wildfire smoke. 

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Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Statement: 

Halleck Creek Ranch (HCR) is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. HCR does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. 

When necessary, the HCR also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled employees and for pregnant employees who request an accommodation, with the advice of their health care providers, for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. 

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. HCR makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.