Equestrian Program Assistant

Job Description Job Description Founded in 1855, Catholic Charities St. Vincent's School for Boys provides residential treatment and all-around care to minors, ages 7-17. A combination of therapeutic, educational, rehabilitation, and recreational programs addresses the multiple and diverse needs of each child. The boys live in two residential houses on the St. Vincent's campus. The Therapeutic Equestrian Program, recently named The Eagleson Equestrian Center (EEC), was introduced in 1985 to address unique challenges the boys faced and to support the healing process. Since 2023, the program has shifted to providing similar services to children with learning differences and adults with trauma histories in the local community. The center also accepts private paying clients who are interested in the mental health benefits of animal-human relationships. All equestrian activities are supervised by trained Natural Lifemanship equestrian practitioners. Activities include groundwork, guided rides in the arena and through trails on the 770-acre St. Vincent's campus, grooming, and general horse care. The EEC teaches equestrian skills, life skills and fosters empathy and a sense of responsibility for another living being. Retired horses live the remainder of their lives with dignity, receiving care and attention in the paddocks on the St. Vincent campus. The program also includes care and attention for cats, goats, chickens and guinea pigs. The Equestrian Program Assistant reports to the Equestrian Program Manager and provides services to the livestock and facility when directed, as needed. This position also assists with the equine-facilitated individual and group sessions provided to minors and adults. · Ability to handle, ride, and lunge horses using best practices · Horse/Livestock Health, care, feeding, safety and medical coordination. · Is responsible for assisting the feeding of horses/livestock in the Equestrian Program. · Observes horses/livestock for any injuries or medically related problems. · Administers first aid to sick and/or injured horses/livestock, as appropriate. · Participates in Equestrian On-Call system in order to ensure 24-hour emergency care of horses/livestock on an as-needed basis. · Reports problems and horse/livestock health needs to the Equestrian Program Manager. · Ensures that horses/livestock have water available on a 24-hour basis. · Ensures that all pasture gates, stalls barn doors, tack room and animal housing are locked and secure. · Report any unsafe and/or non-working items to the maintenance department and the Equestrian Program Manager so that the items receive immediate repair. · EnsureNo that all stalls are clean and manure free. · Provides supervision and assists with equine-facilitated individual and group sessions, both mounted and unmounted. · Uses case management software to assist program manager with session documentation. · Assists program manager with scheduling, training and management of volunteers. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Job Details · Pay range $27.00-29.00 Hourly · Full benefits: medical, dental, vision coverage; 401K · Full-time; hours are generally M-F, 9 am – 5 pm · Tentative start date: August 2025 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education & Experience : Bachelor’s degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences preferred. Animal Husbandry and horse experience. Proficiency in written and verbal skills. Experience with children & adolescents, social services or residential treatment preferred. Experience working with people in an equine-assisted therapy setting preferred. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities : Knowledge of animal husbandry. · Ability to ride and lunge a variety of horses at the walk, trot, and lope/canter. · Ability to provide regular & predictable attendance. · Ability to retain a professional and respectful demeanor. · Valid California Driver’s License. · Proficiency in language skills and in attention to detail. · Orientation to teamwork, problem solving and accuracy. · Commitment to confidentiality and respectful service Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in cross-cultural situations. Prerequisites Required Prior to the First Day of Employment: Fingerprints: Required TB Screening – Negative Tuberculosis Test: Required First Aid Certificate: Required COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination: Required · Maintaining best practices and compliance The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequent bending, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, and walking. Frequent lifting, pushing, and pulling. Frequent repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. · The worker is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles or heavy equipment. · Driving is required for this position. If driving a car is required for the position, incumbent must have a valid California driver's license and be able to provide proof of DMV record and personal insurance (if required.) The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is primarily a barn, arena, tack room, and the fields and trails on which the horses graze, live and ride. The work environment can also include offices, classrooms and on-site residences. Noise level in work environment is usually moderate in accordance with typical equestrian settings frequented by children. May include contact with clients with mental health issues who demonstrate behaviors such as cursing, shouting, running away, self harm and violence. Often exposed to outside weather conditions. Often exposed to dust, dirt and allergens. · May be exposed to odors such as frangrancers, cleaning products, and clients who experience difficulties with personal hygiene.Often exposed to odors associated with horses, such as manure and horse sweat. DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), Catholic Charities SF does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. Furthermore, Catholic Charities SF does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under title I of the ADA CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal domicile status, veteran status, disability or AIDS/HIV status or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Company Description Catholic Charities is one of the largest, oldest, and most comprehensive nonprofit human services organizations in Northern California, annually reaching more than 60,000 vulnerable individuals of all faiths in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin Counties. With a staff of approximately 450, reaching peaks of nearly 600 with seasonal hires, a budget of $54.3 million, and a current governing board of 27, this venerable, fully-accredited, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit addresses some of the most pressing community needs – homelessness, generational poverty, immigration, inequality, hunger, aging in isolation, and communicable disease to name a few – with compassion and services of highest quality. CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal domicile status, veteran status, disability, or AIDS/HIV status or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Company Description Catholic Charities is one of the largest, oldest, and most comprehensive nonprofit human services organizations in Northern California, annually reaching more than 60,000 vulnerable individuals of all faiths in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin Counties. With a staff of approximately 450, reaching peaks of nearly 600 with seasonal hires, a budget of $54.3 million, and a current governing board of 27, this venerable, fully-accredited, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit addresses some of the most pressing community needs – homelessness, generational poverty, immigration, inequality, hunger, aging in isolation, and communicable disease to name a few – with compassion and services of highest quality.\r\n\r\nCATHOLIC CHARITIES IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal domicile status, veteran status, disability, or AIDS/HIV status or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.\r\n\r\nPursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Location: San Rafael, California, US

Posted Date: 7/3/2025