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
- 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.
- 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.
- Handle vendor management, including scheduling, invoicing, and payment for services (e.g., veterinarian, farrier, feed and bedding suppliers).
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Facility and Equipment Management
- Maintain the Center to high standards to support academic activities and impress prospective students and visitors.
- Oversee operations of all facilities, including:
- Hawthorne Arena (100’ x 300’)
- Cook Arena (76’ x 204’)
- Kitts Arena (150’ x 300’)
- Over 20 acres of paddocks and pastures
- Equipment storage, hay shed, and three barns with 71 stalls, wash stalls, and farrier stalls
Horse Care and Management
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordinate care plans for school-owned horses in partnership with Equine Studies faculty and staff to align with curricular needs and available resources.
- Communicate and coordinate with student and private horse owners regarding the care and management of privately-owned horses on campus.
- 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
- Provide instruction, mentorship, and oversight for students completing in-class, out-of-class, and volunteer hours.
- Integrate Center staff into the educational mission through delegation, skills demonstration, and professional development.
- Teach two (2) ground training/management courses per semester.
- Assist with other equine-related courses as needed.
- Develop and maintain course syllabi aligned with student learning outcomes and accreditation standards.
- Participate in program assessment and curriculum development.
- Possess expertise in herd health and emergency care, general horsemanship, performance training, and facility operations.
- Serve as an educational resource and facilitator for experiential learning in a living laboratory environment.
Staff Supervision
- Supervise full-time, part-time, and student employees, including work-study students.
- Foster a cohesive and efficient work environment through delegation and ongoing training.
COMPETENCIES:
- Proven ability to manage a large equine facility with multiple functions such as academic classes, clinics, competitive events, boarding, and other equine-related activities.
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to manage full-time, part-time, student, and volunteer staff.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety, animal welfare, and operational excellence in equine facility management.
- Fiscally responsible, with experience managing budgets and resources effectively.
- Highly organized with the flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities and day-to-day challenges.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach to working with students, faculty, and staff.
- Effective communicator and mentor, able to engage and guide students in both academic and experiential learning settings.
POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
- Full-time, 12-month 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.
- Participates in a rotating on-call schedule for emergencies and is considered essential personnel during College closures
- Non-Wilson-related business and teaching are permitted only during off hours and must not interfere with job responsibilities
TRAVEL:
- Limited, based on the needs of the department.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science, Animal Science, or a closely related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of five years’ experience managing a large-scale equestrian facility. (A combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.)
- Experience working in a collegiate or educational institution setting preferred.
- Prior experience teaching equine-focused courses in a college or academic environment.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:
- The candidate must be able to drive College vehicles, including towing horse trailers, and adhere to all Wilson College driving policies.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and successfully complete Wilson College’s driver safety certification
- Must pass a comprehensive three-part background check, including criminal history, child abuse clearance, and FBI fingerprinting
