About Us Kolob Canyon is a premier residential treatment program providing an intimate, home-like environment with warmth, structure, and individualized attention for adolescent girls ages 14-17. Our small community serves 12 to 14 students at a time, allowing for meaningful relationships and individualized care. Our primary goal is to support personal healing and growth through intensive evidence-based therapy, adventure therapy, equine therapy, and academic support. Our equine program currently includes six horses, as well as kittens and a therapeutic dog who are part of our program environment. The Equine Director will oversee the care and well-being of these animals as part of their role. We are seeking our next Equine Director to lead and develop a high-quality equine program that supports both the horsemanship development and therapeutic growth of our students while working collaboratively with our equine therapist and clinical team. Position Summary The Equine Director is a leadership position responsible for the overall operation, development, and safety of Kolob Canyon's equine program. This includes riding instruction, barn and facility oversight, equine chores, horse care and management, veterinary care coordination, emergency response, and on-call equine support. The Equine Director will provide direct instruction and mentorship to students with a range of horsemanship abilities, from beginner to advanced riders. The Equine Director is expected to be on campus during scheduled barn chores Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:00-4:30 PM to provide direct supervision, instruction, and support to students as they complete barn and animal-care responsibilities. This position will also be responsible for conducting structured equine groups, including riding groups, horsemanship and training groups, and other equine-based activities designed to develop students' skills, confidence, responsibility, communication, and personal growth. The Equine Director will work closely with the equine therapist and clinical team to ensure programming is appropriate for the students and supports the overall goals of the program. The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable and confident horseperson who can balance strong horsemanship and animal-care standards with patience, leadership, safety awareness, and the ability to build positive relationships with adolescents experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges. Key Responsibilities Equine Program Leadership

• Oversee the daily operations and ongoing development of the equine program.
• Implement riding and horsemanship instruction appropriate for students ranging from beginner to advanced skill levels.
• Be present on campus Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:00-4:30 PM during barn chores to direct, supervise, teach, and assist students with barn and animal-care responsibilities.
• Plan and facilitate structured equine groups, including riding groups, horse training groups, horsemanship instruction, groundwork, and other skill-building equine activities.
• Develop and maintain programming that promotes horsemanship, confidence, responsibility, communication, boundaries, leadership, and personal growth.
• Provide direct supervision, instruction, mentorship, and feedback to students during equine activities and barn chores.
• Collaborate with the equine therapist and other therapists to facilitate equine-assisted activities that complement students' individualized treatment goals.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and supportive environment for both students and animals. Horse & Animal Care
• Oversee the health, safety, nutrition, conditioning, and overall well-being of all program horses.
• Manage feeding, supplements, turnout, grooming, exercise, and daily care routines in collaboration with students and staff members.
• Monitor horse behavior, soundness, performance, and changes in health or temperament.
• Coordinate and communicate with veterinarians, farriers, and other equine professionals regarding routine and emergency care.
• Make appropriate decisions regarding horse use, workload, training, conditioning, and participation in programming.
• Oversee the appropriate care and well-being of Kolob Canyon's other program animals, including kittens and the therapeutic dog. Barn & Facility Oversight
• Oversee barn chores, student participation in horse care, and daily barn operations.
• Ensure students receive appropriate instruction and supervision while completing barn chores and animal-care responsibilities.
• Identify and address safety concerns related to horses, facilities, equipment, and programming.
• Assist with purchasing and maintaining appropriate feed, supplements, equipment, and animal-care supplies while remaining within the established equine program budget.
• Establish and consistently enforce appropriate equine safety practices and protocols.
• Assess and respond appropriately to horse-related emergencies, injuries, illnesses, and behavioral concerns.
• Provide emergency and on-call equine support as needed.
• Maintain a high standard of risk management for students, staff, and animals. Qualifications
• Extensive experience in horsemanship, horse care, and equine management.
• Strong riding background; experience providing riding instruction preferred.
• Strong English riding experience preferred, particularly in hunter/jumper disciplines, or willingness to learn English hunter/jumper riding and instruction.
• Experience managing horses, including nutrition, conditioning, training, turnout, and routine care.
• Experience working with veterinarians, farriers, and other equine professionals.
• Experience working with children or adolescents preferred.
• Strong leadership, organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to confidently manage and make sound decisions regarding horses and equine program operations.
• Ability to effectively direct and supervise adolescents during barn chores, riding instruction, and equine activities.
• Ability to plan and facilitate structured riding, training, and horsemanship groups.
• Ability to work collaboratively with therapists and other residential treatment staff.
• Strong understanding of equine behavior and safety.
• Valid driver's license and ability to safely operate a vehicle while transporting horses.
• Ability and willingness to drive and safely operate a horse trailer.
• Ability to respond to equine emergencies and provide on-call support as needed.
• Ability to pass required background checks and meet residential treatment program requirements. Preferred Qualifications
• Experience teaching English riding or horsemanship to riders with varied skill levels.
• Experience developing or managing an equine program.
• Experience facilitating riding, horse training, groundwork, or horsemanship groups.
• Experience with equine-assisted learning, equine-assisted services, therapeutic riding, or related programming.
• Experience working in a therapeutic, educational, residential, or youth-development setting.
• Knowledge of basic equine first aid and emergency care.
• Experience caring for and working with a variety of animals.

Pay:

$18.50 - $23.00 per hour Application Question(s): Valid driver's license and ability to safely operate a vehicle while transporting horses. Ability to pass required background checks and meet residential treatment program requirements.

Work Location:

In person