Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor

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The Equine Manager will oversee all activities involving the horses at Ironstone Farm, including nutrition and feeding, paddock and stall safety, training for all Ironstone’s program needs, educating staff, volunteers and clients regarding equine care and management, and providing an open and welcoming environment for everyone involved to feel safe and included. The Equine Manager will lead by example, participate in the work activities, and maintain communications with other staff leadership at all times. Equine manager will administer, evaluate and improve Ironstone Farm's horse and programs. Foster relationships with the public, service providers, visitors, program participants and volunteers to ensure a positive, collaborative and productive relationship.

Essential Functions:

• Establish a nutrition plan for all animals at Ironstone Farm and ensure proper feeding practices to execute that plan.
• Maintain property to provide a safe and user-friendly environment to be the “home” for Ironstone’s herd.
• Oversee ordering of all feed and supplements according to the individual needs of the horses, including quality products and hay.
• Set up regular checks of the herd to watch for any injuries, colic or illness and be prepared to act immediately to mitigate any such issues.
• Maintain a well-stocked cabinet of medications and first-aid equipment to be prepared for illness or accident.
• Use equine activities as a teaching tool for Ironstone’s working students, staff, volunteers and clients.
• Evaluate, supervise and mentor barn staff and interns
• Ensure that staff and volunteers maintain open lines of communication and healthy working relationships through training, supervision and collaboration.
• Work with Ironstone’s Program Directors daily to ensure appropriate use of horses for clients served.
• Work with Ironstone’s Staff to ensure proper training for safe horse handling so that horses receive consistent cues in all situations.
• Work with the Equine Encounter/Experience Staff to promote the horse/human connection, encourage participants to return as volunteers, and provide the animals and equipment necessary for ensuring a safe quality experience for all involved.
• Work with Ironstone’s administrative and development staff re use of horses for marketing and community involvement.
• Engage in regular training schedules for all horses to be prepared and safe for all programs.
• Manage herd obsolescence by continually seeking new horses and retiring older horses as needed.
• Oversee maintenance and safety of all tack and equipment used for horses and programs.
• Maintain appropriate deworming and vaccination schedules for all horses annually.
• Oversee and ensure proper shoeing, trimming and other hoof care for all horses as needed monthly, as well as annual dentistry needs with planned schedules.
• Keep complete and accessible records of all horses including use, feed changes and medical needs/events.
• Communicate potential funding needs with the Executive Director and the Director of Grants and Donor Relations such as new horses, feeding equipment, tack, etc.
• Attend regular staff meetings and work with all staff to support the Challenge Unlimited mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or life experience with skills needed for herd management and development. Ideal candidates will have knowledge and experience riding and training horses, equine nutrition, diagnosing lameness or symptoms of illness, and understanding conformation and other savvy needed for seeking and purchasing appropriate horses for the programs
• Experience managing an equine staff and operation, with proven ability to collaborate with co-workers and encourage staff to work as a team
•  Ability to engage in instructional workshops to teach staff, volunteers and clients appropriate and safe horse-handling techniques
• Ability to use farm machinery and equipment for maintenance tasks (tractors, etc)
• Understanding the mission of Challenge Unlimited as a whole and knowledge and understanding of the populations to be served
• Knowledge, understanding, and enthusiasm for natural horsemanship promoting equine connection and the various activities effectively using that connection to support individuals served
• Willingness to multi-task, combining management responsibilities with often needed menial tasks required to provide a quality experience for all participants
• Flexibility in weekly schedule (with core responsibility being Friday through Sunday), and ability to work evenings according to the needs of the organization, special events and availability by phone 24/7 to handle equine emergencies or questions.
• Trailering experience helpful
• MA Instructors License a plus

Accountability

The hours for the equine manager are at least 30 hours per week on site. If not living on site must be within a 15 miles radius of Andover, MA. This position does require being on call for emergencies and includes being available during snow, rain and other weather related events.

The Equine Manager is an employee of Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Farm. Our mission is to provide therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities using the resources of the farm and its environment to help all involved experience joy and enhanced quality of life. The Equine Manager is expected to serve as an ambassador for our mission and implement our procedures for best practices for herd care. The Equine Manager is an important and forward facing role and creating, maintaining and cultivating positive working relationships is critical and expected.

Development Director is responsible for raising enough money to meet the organization’s financial goals, forecasting future income, and gathering feedback from donors. The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and internal team to attract attention from potential supporters and host industry events that raise awareness of the organization’s goals. The Development Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all of Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm’s fundraising including, the major gifts program, annual fund, planned giving, special events, and capital campaigns.

Essential Functions

• Define fundraising goals for the organization.
• Obtain financial support and sponsorships for the organization.
• Prepare strategies for fundraising and implement and evaluate them.
• Prepare and execute fundraising plans that include major gifts programs, annual fund strategies, planned giving, and fundraising events and campaigns.
• Creating and executing a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors
• Overseeing the organization of special events
• Developing and tracking proposals and reports for all foundation and corporate fundraising
• Maintain ongoing relationships with current donors and seek new donors and sponsors.
• Implement strategies to form strong relationships with donors and keep them informed on how their financial contribution is being utilized.
• Effectively motivate donors to provide financial support.  
• Create reports to analyze and measure the progress towards the fundraising goals and the fundraising campaigns’ effectiveness.
• Lead the internal team and volunteer committees and collaborate with the members to develop strategies for increasing brand awareness and funding.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors on organizing and planning special events and receiving donations.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Manager to create promotional material for the fundraising events and campaigns.
• Be an active participant in all the fundraising programs.
• Take advantage of community relations, speaking engagements, fundraising events, and communication tools like newsletters and social media platforms to reach donors and sponsors.
• Manage corporate gifts.
• Manage annual fund campaigns.
• Look for donation programs and opportunities.
• Recruit and train qualified employees for the fundraising, public relations, and development team.
• Stay up to date on fundraising trends.

Qualifications

• Must embrace the mission of Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm
• Strong interpersonal and writing skills.
• Have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gift fundraising.
• Possess the skills to work with and motivate staff, board members, and other volunteers.
• Have the desire to get out of the office and build external relationships.
• Be a “self-starter” and goal-driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls.
• Be organized and exhibit “follow through” on tasks and goals.
• Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and the community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• A bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years minimum experience in professional fundraising.
• Willingness and ability to multi-task
• Ability to work as part of a team and foster positive, productive, and collaborative working relationships.

Effect on End Result

• Meet or exceed bottom line fundraising goals
• Create long term financial stability for the organization
• Positive community and stakeholder experiences and communication
• Increased staff participation in events and fundraising efforts

Accountability

This is a full-time 40 hours per week position. Flexible hours and work off-site hours are expected, as well as weekly check-ins with the Executive Director to discuss achievements for past week and goals for upcoming week and review of monthly Development calendar and plan.