Animal Assistant And Riding Instructor

Performs various animal care tasks such as feeding, medicating, and tending to injuries. Ensures the accuracy of feed and medication records and safety standards. Provides riding instruction to beginner and intermediate riders, conducting riding evaluations, and ensuring a positive, safe, and engaging environment for both animals and participants.TitleAnimal Assistant and Riding InstructorDepartmentLockwood ParkStatusSeasonalWork LocationVariousReports ToFarm and Animal SupervisorWage$17/hourPosition DescriptionPerforms various animal care tasks such as feeding, medicating, and tending to injuries. Ensures the accuracy of feed and medication records and safety standards. Provides riding instruction to beginner and intermediate riders, conducting riding evaluations, and ensuring a positive, safe, and engaging environment for both animals and participants.ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUESAgency VisionTo be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve.Agency MissionThe Rockford Park District is in business to "help people enjoy life" by providing a quality park and recreation system.Vision & Planning SystemThe District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals.Policy Management & Operations SystemEvery team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team's operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team's operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks.Leadership by Values SystemLeadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging StatementThe Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds.RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTUREDefinitionSustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success.ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENTDefinitionTo work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District.ConnectednessDepartments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned * Performs horse and animal chore tasks including but not limited to catching and feeding animals assigned for grain, medicating and worming animals as needed, feeding hay, tending to animal injuries, catching and holding horses for the farrier and veterinarian services * Responsible for administration of medication to identified equine and farm animals; must be able to accurately record dosage information * Responsible for reviewing all feed and medication charts accurately and assuring all tasks are complete in an effective and safe manner * Responsible to act as a lead and assist other chore staff with learning and adopting new information/routines in animal care; must be flexible and able to adapt to constantly changing conditions around them * Must be able to observe and understand equine and animal behavior; should be able to identify animals who are sick and/or injured * Informs Animal Supervisor of supplies needed and preserves and cares for equipment of the RPD* Assesses and troubleshoots issues and informs Animal Supervisor, Program Supervisor, and Maintenance Supervisor of site safety concerns such as: park users, equipment, hazards, etc. * Attends and assists with scheduled staff meetings and training sessions as determined by the Animal Supervisor * Responsible for opening and closing the facility with security privileges * Provides riding lesson instruction to beginner and intermediate riders ages 5 and up primarily in a group lesson environment * Has the ability to manage a variety of rider needs within a group * Could provide some private or semi-private lessons for youth 8 and under, customizing each lesson to the skill level of the rider and their individual riding goals * Conducts riding evaluations and assessments and grades riders appropriately * Utilizes the riding lesson plans and evaluations already established to help guide skill progression in a manner that aligns with Lockwood Park lesson programs * Uses flexibility and creativity to create lesson plans based on the needs of the riders * Must be able to accurately teach beginner and intermediate riding skills using flexibility and creativity * Provides a positive and safe space that allows students to grow and gain confidence in a low-stress environment * Assesses skill level and needs of equines and matches appropriately to riders * Recognizes what level of challenge a rider needs to progress without losing confidence and adjusts the lesson as needed * Works with and conditions horses and ponies outside of lessons * Ensures all safety procedures are followed and provides feedback to supervisors for safety improvements. * Utilize the Rockford Park District's HRIS system for all HR and payroll-related requirements and to accurately clock in and out for all shifts.Operational Excellence: * Ensures that all work performed is conducted in a safe and timely manner adhering to standards of safety and effective equipment utilization * Maintains working knowledge of departmental and Park District wide safety procedures * Effectively and safely operates Park District equipment including Gators as requiredCustomer Satisfaction: * Provides a riding experience that is clean, professional, safe, and fun * Represents the Park District in a friendly and positive manner when communicating with program participants, parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and all other park visitors. * Ensures a superior customer experience in all interactions through outstanding service capabilities, knowledge, flexibility, and thoroughness. * Quickly and effectively solves customer problems that ensures total satisfaction.Teamwork: * Responsive to the needs of the department by accepting additional responsibility or assisting others * Willing to adjust work schedule to accommodate changing priorities.Education/ExperienceHigh School graduate or obtain GED and/or Equine related degree, Riding Instructor Certification required or to be obtained within a year of hire date, 3+ years of experience with horses required, Previous work with youth, camp or education preferred.Critical Skills, Knowledge, and AbilitiesTo 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: * Must have a valid Driver's License * Familiarity with farm animals preferred * Horse experience required * Knowledge of a variety of riding disciplines * Some knowledge of liberty work * Ability to provide customers with expert care, sensitive consideration, and efficient service * Good communication skills including expressive, written, and receptive * Experience with Microsoft Office Programs recommended * Ability to follow direction from Animal Supervisor, Program Supervisor, Park Manager, and/or Manager on Duty, demonstrating flexibility as a team player * Ability to problem solve in a variety of situations * District Wide Policy and Procedure Training * Including but not limited to: Child Abuse Reporting Act, Communicable Disease, Confined Space, CPR/AED, Driving Standards, Emergency Response Plan, Employee Hygiene, Fall Protection, First Aid, Fleet Safety, Harassment, Hearing Protection, High Risk Equipment, Incident/Accident Reporting Procedures, Job Specific Responsibilities, Lifting/Material Handling, Lockout/Tagout, Operation and Facility Specific Policies and Procedures, Park District Policy Handbook, Personal Protective Equipment, Reporting Hazardous Conditions, Respirator Use, Right-To-Know, Safety Rules, Statement of Admission, Vehicle Check Rides, Industry/Job Specific, Hand Tools, Verbal/Non-Verbal Communication, Interacting with Citizens, Deescalating Irate Patrons, Working in a Rapidly Changing OrganizationPhysical RequirementsThe 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:Medium work:*

Exerting in excess of 50 pounds of force occasionally * Exerting in excess of 20 pounds of force frequently * Exerting in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. * Must be able to perform moderately physically intensive tasks, potentially including any combination of the following: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, repetitive motions, substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: * This position is primarily stationed outdoors; regular exposure to dirt, noise, and temperature and weather extremes. * Dirt is common during cleaning part of job tasks continually * Noise while working on or near tractors while completing checklists/job tasks daily * Temperature extremes may be encountered during routine job duties * This is a physically active position that involves stamina. * Working with chemicals occasionally while cleaning * Work pace/pressure large crowds during events * May be exposed to hazardous vegetation (i.e., poison ivy) and insect bites while outdoors * Ability to work under stressful conditions, including situations involving participants, staff conflicts, and dissatisfied customers * Ability to problem solve. * Potential exposure to hazardous materials.