Job Summary/Objective: This job provides skilled tasks needed to care for the horses housed at the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center with additional work to maintain the facilities under the guidelines of the Equine Studies Program. Works with student workers engaged in similar activities involving the care of the horses and maintenance of the facility as needed.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours: Full-Time, 5 days a week including some weekend days, 6:30AM - 3:30PM with a one hour lunch break.  Shift hours may vary due to the time of year and horse care needs.  

Competency: Excellent horsemanship/livestock skills with some facility and fence maintenance/repair skills.  Applicants must be able to listen and follow directions and communicate effectively with co-workers and supervisors.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Essential Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned): 

• Care for horses to protect their health and improve their appearance

• Feeding and watering horses, managing supplements, basic equine first aid

• Bring in and turnout horses

• Cleans and beds stalls 

• Keep facility neat and clean at all times

• As needed, perform landscaping duties such as weed eating, shoveling walks and driveways, and some light carpentry and facility repairs

Required Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have previous experience with horses and/or livestock and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with training. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Experience handling horses or livestock.

• Virginia Driver’s license; ability to get and maintain Decision Driving Certificate through Sweet Briar College.

• Must demonstrate competency in verbal and written English skills including grammar.

• Must be competent in general math.

• Must possess a strong work ethic, be reliable and take pride in the quality of the work they produce; must be able to use farm equipment and attachments; knowledge of hand held and power tools; knowledge of safety practices, precautions and occupational hazards associated with farm work.  

• Must possess excellent attention to details; must be a team player and interact collegially with co-workers and other constituencies.

• Must be a self-starter who can meet deadlines with limited supervision, handle multiple tasks effectively and remain flexible in a fast-moving setting. 

• Reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED 

• Experience operating a tractor

Work Environment: This position is at an Equine Facility with a combination of indoor and outdoor work. Employees must work in all temperatures and weather conditions with exposure to animals, hay and dust. The environment is very dusty. Going off premises for breaks is difficult due to time and distance constraints. A break room and lavatory are provided.

Physical Demands: Must be able to spend prolonged periods of time working in a dusty environment; able to reach, lift and carry at least 80 pounds on a regular basis; must be able to hear and make self-heard by co-workers and other constituencies; must be able to see to process work that the position is responsible for completing; must be able to work under deadlines and with constant interruptions. Must be able to reach and retrieve objects 5’6” high.  Fitness and coordination must allow the applicant to walk, bend, lift and stand for several hours daily as well as safely control horses of all sizes, ages, and behavior types.  

Travel: N/A

Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

Other duties- This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

How to Apply: If applying for a faculty or staff position, please submit a Sweet Briar College employment application, cover letter, résumé and three professional references.