Horse Farm Worker

Grade: 6   Salary Range: $19.00 - $23.91  FLSA: Nonexempt

The purpose of this classification is to care for horses housed at the County's horse farm and to perform general maintenance and upkeep of the facility.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Feeds and waters horses; feeds and waters horses per established schedules or to specific health recovery or maintenance programs; maintains feeding and watering records; and advises supervisor when supplies are needed.

Monitors horse health; provides general, day-to-day observation of health; reports emerging concerns or issues to supervisor; and coordinates with supervisor or veterinary staff to provide care as needed.

Exercises horses; moves horses out of and into stalls each day; provides enrichment or exercise to horses; and ensures an appropriate amount of exercise in a healthy environment.

Grooms and cleans horses daily or as needed; brushes coat, mane and tail; and cleans hooves and shoes.

Cleans stalls; cleans and changes bedding per established schedules or as needed; uses power washing equipment to handle difficult cleanups; and cleans or launders equipment.

Maintains fences; monitors the integrity of fences daily; and uses hand tools to repair damaged fences.

Provides assistance to boarding clients; and assists clients with moving horses for transport or with other handling as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED required; one year work experience in any field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
 

Supplemental Information:

• At least five years of hands-on horse-handling experience
• At least three years of experience performing barn operations and animal-care duties
• At least three years of experience operating farm equipment and performing related maintenance tasks, including tractor operation, arena grooming, and fence installation and repair
• Demonstrated dependability, punctuality, and effective communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, remain calm under pressure, and perform responsibilities safely and independently