Careers
A dedicated team of compassionate, collaborative, and mission-driven individuals, united by a passion for service, innovation, and the transformative power of equine-assisted programs. We foster a welcoming, inclusive community where every person—rider, volunteer, staff member, and supporter—is valued. At the heart of our work is a commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening connections, and making a lasting impact, one stride at a time.
Why Join Us?
At Ironstone Farm, you’ll play a vital role in making life-changing programs possible, helping individuals of all ages and abilities experience the joy and healing power of our equine-assisted services. If you’re passionate about creating a positive impact and thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you!
Current Openings
Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor
$20-$25/Hr | 15-30 hours a week
Job Description
The Therapeutic Riding Instructor is responsible for delivering safe, effective, and engaging
riding lessons for individuals with and without disabilities. Instructors supervise lesson teams and are accountable for the safety and well-being of riders, horses, volunteers, and staff during all sessions.
This role also plays a key part in lesson planning, client communication, and documentation to ensure continuity of care and a high-quality client experience.
Instruction & Client Experience
● Plan, implement, and adapt goal-oriented therapeutic and recreational riding lessons based on individual rider needs
● Create a positive, encouraging, and structured learning environment that promotes confidence and skill development
● Select appropriate horses, tack, and adaptive equipment for each rider
● Monitor rider physical, emotional, and behavioral responses and adjust instruction as needed
● Greet and communicate with riders and caregivers, addressing questions and supporting
a welcoming experience
Safety and Horse Welfare
● Ensure the safety of riders, horses, volunteers, and staff at all times
● Conduct safety checks of tack, equipment, and rider attire before each lesson
● Implement safe mounting and dismounting procedures, consulting with therapists as
needed
● Maintain appropriate ratios of riders, horses, and volunteers
● Monitor equine health, behavior, and soundness; report concerns promptly
Volunteer Supervision
● Supervise, instruct, and support volunteers during lessons
● Provide clear direction on horse handling and rider support techniques
● Foster a positive, team-oriented environment for volunteers
Communication and Documentation
● Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including lesson plans, progress notes, and client updates
● Communicate essential information to supervisors and other instructors to ensure continuity of care
● Report incidents, safety concerns, and discipline issues according to farm protocols
Administrative and Program Support
● Maintain and update client records, evaluations, and required program documentation
● Follow all Ironstone Farm policies, procedures, and professional standards
● Represent Ironstone Farm professionally during programs and events
● Participate in quarterly instructor trainings (3 per year)
● Attend a minimum of 2 all-staff meetings annually
● Complete required continuing education (CEUs) each quarter
● Follow program coverage expectations and scheduling policies
Required Qualifications
● Licensed Massachusetts Horseback Riding Instructor
● Current First Aid and CPR certification
● Strong knowledge of horsemanship, horse behavior, and riding fundamentals
● Ability to plan and deliver safe, effective lessons for diverse riders
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills
● Ability to assess and respond appropriately to equine and rider behavior
● Knowledge of disabilities served, including contraindications and appropriate support
techniques
● Strong organizational and documentation skills
● Professional, patient, and adaptable approach
● Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
● Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
● Ability to assist riders with mounting/dismounting
● Ability to lift up to 45 lbs
● Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
Preferred Qualifications
● Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI)
● Experience working with individuals with disabilities
● Experience in a lesson or therapeutic riding program
● Ability to supervise and direct volunteers effectively
Assistant Barn Manager
$16-20/hr | 30 hours/week
Performance evaluation and potential pay increase after 90 days
Flexibility to adjust schdeule or provide coverage as needed
Job Description
The Assistant Barn Manager plays a key role in supporting the daily care and management of Ironstone Farm’s herd of 24 therapy and recreational horses. This position focuses on maintaining high standards of horse welfare, barn operations, and safety, while also assisting in
supervising students, interns, and volunteers. This is a hands-on role ideal for someone with strong equine experience who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and is comfortable working outdoors in all conditions.
The Assistant Barn Manager is an employee of Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Farm and is expected to serve as an ambassador of our mission. This role is essential to maintaining the health, safety, and well-being of our horses and supporting the overall success of our programs.
This is a unique opportunity to join a dedicated and experienced team committed to excellence
in equine-assisted services.
Key Responsibilities
Herd Care & Barn Operations
● Support and maintain daily horse care routines, including feeding hay and grain, turnout, and general herd management
● Ensure consistent, high-quality care of stalls, paddocks, and turnout areas, including mucking, water management, and cleanliness
● Monitor horses daily and report any health or behavioral concerns to the Equine Manager and Operations Director
● Assist with administering basic care and treatments as directed
● Ensure all turnout equipment is used correctly and safely
● Dump manure, maintain clean work areas, and support overall farm organization
● Assist with restocking supplies across turnout and barn areas
● Support minor farm repairs as directed (e.g., buckets, hoses, gates)
● Ensure all barn protocols and safety procedures are followed
Supervision & Training
● Assist in supervising working students, interns, and volunteers in daily barn tasks and herd care
● Support training and onboarding of new students and volunteers
● Help maintain a positive, educational, and team- oriented environment
● Participate in ongoing staff training and development
Communication & Collaboration
● Work closely with the Operations Director, Barn Manager, and Equine Manager to ensure all horse care needs are met
● Communicate clearly with team members regarding daily tasks, priorities, and horse updates
● Serve as a point of support between students/interns and leadership as needed
● Represent Ironstone Farm professionally during on-site events, programs, and farm activities
Administrative Support
● Assist with maintaining accurate horse records, including medical charts and daily logs
● Support daily checklists, schedules, and barn organization systems
● Assist with inventory tracking and supply management
Growth Opportunities
● Opportunity to participate in exercise riding and equine training team following a 90-day
skills assessment
Required Qualifications
● Minimum of 5 years of hands-on equine care experience
● Strong working knowledge of horse handling, feeding, turnout and general barn management
● Ability to safely and confidently work with a variety of horses
● Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and flexible hours as needed
● Strong organizational and multitasking skills
● Clear communication and interpersonal skills
● Compassionate, patient, and team-oriented approach-especially when working with youth
● Detail-oriented with a commitment to high standards of care
● Ability to work independently and as part of a team
● Basic computer skills (email, record keeping, scheduling systems)
● Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds (feed, hay, water buckets)
● Ability to stand, walk, bend and perform physical labor for extended periods
● Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
● Ability to safely handle horses of various sizes and tempermants
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience in a lesson barn or therapeutic riding program
● Riding experience
● Experience working with students, interns, or volunteers
● Experience with basic farm equipment
● Massachusetts Riding Instructor License or willingness to obtain (pay scale may be adjusted based on licensure)
Interested candidates please fill out the form below.
Program Administrative Coordinator
$25/hr | 40 hours/week
Performance evaluation and potential pay increase after 90 days
Flexibility to adjust schdeule or provide coverage as needed
Job Description
Ironstone Farm is seeking a Program Administrative Coordinator to support lessons, therapy services, community programs, groups, and other program activities. You will coordinate documentation, participant records, accounts receivable follow-up, invoices, communications, and administrative tasks accurately and
consistently, helping program managers focus on program quality, participant experience, staff development, volunteer engagement, instruction, and equine care.
This non-supervisory role works closely with the Program Director, Lesson Manager, Volunteer Manager, Client Care Operations Coordinators, Finance, and the program and operations teams.
This role handles administrative coordination, documentation, recordkeeping, communication, follow-up, tracking, accounts receivable follow-up, accounts payable support, routine reporting, and administrative projects.
Program managers retain responsibility for leadership, quality, staffing, supervision, daily operations, instruction and service delivery, volunteer management, program-specific decisions, and equine training and care. The Lesson team retains daily lesson scheduling, rosters, day sheets, rider/instructor assignments, and daily lesson operations.
Finance retains routine billing, accounting, financial reporting, payment processing, financial controls, andfinancial approvals and adjustments. This role does not prepare routine billing, approve adjustments, make financial decisions about accounts, approve expenditures, authorize payments, or issue payments.
Key Responsibilities
Program Administration and Participant Support
● Coordinate administrative requirements for new and returning participants, including releases, evaluations, agreements, registrations, and required forms; follow up with participants, families, and staff on missing information and outstanding items to ensure timely completion.
● Maintain accurate, organized, accessible program files, including agreements, contracts, attendance documentation, and related materials. File veterinarian notes and related records in the appropriate horse files for easy team access.
● Support administrative coordination for school groups, veterans programs, community partnerships, new programs, program changes, and special projects.
Financial Administration
● Monitor outstanding balances for lessons, therapy services, community programs, groups, and other fee-based services. Maintain accurate balance and follow-up records, contact participants, families, organizations, and community partners about payment status, and provide updates as requested.
● Coordinate with Finance or appropriate staff on possible billing errors, credits, cancellations, scholarships, program changes, or other discrepancies; escalate unresolved or unusual accounts to the appropriate manager or Finance.
● Collect and organize invoices, receipts, reimbursement requests, and supporting documentation; obtain missing information from staff and vendors and route expenses to the appropriate reviewer for approval.
● Maintain program financial documentation, assist with tracking expenses and information for budgets, grants, and reporting, and support Finance and program staff with documentation and follow-up.
Communication Records and Reporting
●Serve as a routine administrative contact for participants, families, staff, vendors, and program partners; communicate professionally and promptly, coordinate information across departments, monitor deadlines, and follow up on administrative requirements.
● Maintain accurate electronic and physical records, administrative calendars, checklists, spreadsheets, and tracking tools. Identify incomplete information and coordinate follow-up.
● Assist with routine reports and tracking requested by program leadership; gather and prepare information for grants, contracts, program reporting, organizational requirements, audits, and reviews.
● Maintain confidentiality of participant, financial, personnel, and organizational information. Serve as a routine administrative contact for participants, families, staff, vendors, and program partners; communicate professionally and promptly, coordinate information across departments, monitor deadlines,
and follow up on administrative requirements.
● Maintain accurate electronic and physical records, administrative calendars, checklists, spreadsheets, and tracking tools. Identify incomplete information and coordinate follow-up.
● Assist with routine reports and tracking requested by program leadership; gather and prepare information for grants, contracts, program reporting, organizational requirements, audits, and reviews.
● Maintain confidentiality of participant, financial, personnel, and organizational information.
Process Improvement and Projects
● Help improve administrative procedures, forms, checklists, and tracking systems for efficiency and consistency, and assist with implementing new procedures or systems.
● Take responsibility for assigned administrative projects, communicate progress to the appropriate manager, and support organizational and program initiatives. Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
● Two or more years of administrative, program coordination, office management, or related experience preferred.
● Strong organization, follow-through, attention to detail, accuracy, and written and verbal communication skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
● Comfort using spreadsheets, databases, email, and standard office software.
● Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise good judgment, and collaborate across departments.
● Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, education, human services, equine, or community-based organizations
is helpful but not required.
● Commitment to Ironstone Farm’s mission and a professional, respectful approach to participants, families, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
Interested candidates please fill out the form below.