Organization
Sound Equine Options (SEO), a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization, has been working hard for the last fifteen years to make a better world for horses. Our three primary areas of focus have been to provide a quality rescue, recovery, and adoption program for neglected horses, to help educate and support law enforcement working in the area of equine neglect and abandonment, and to better educate horse owners and the public about what responsible horse ownership truly looks like.
Purpose of Position:
The primary purpose of the Herd Manager position is to participate in and oversee the care and management activities for all SEO equines, including those in our direct care and those in foster homes, in a cooperative, efficient manner consistent with organizational policy. This position will be responsible for coordination of intake, shelter, and hauling of animals as well as oversight of maintenance, veterinary, and care needs. This individual will also take on a variety of roles as necessary regarding community outreach and programs.
In addition to general oversight duties, SEO’s Herd Manager will assist in the management of training operations to ensure consistent humane care and treatment of equines. They will also engage directly with horses to provide development, training, and behavior correction, and will mentor volunteer trainers to participate in the same.
This team member should be a great communicator and will be responsible for tracking and sharing up to date information regarding each horse’s status and needs to appropriate team members.
Responsibilities
- Provide or oversee care of all equines including feeding and watering, stocking feed and supply bins, and checking and updating animal feed sheets.
- Observe animals to ensure proper feeding and report any signs of illness, symptoms requiring medical attention, and behavioral problems.
- Assist in overall evaluation of equines (behavioral, medical, adoptability).
- Submit photos and videos of horses and volunteers on a biweekly basis.
- Maintain up to date animal records in database.
- Ensure horses remain current on preventative care such as vaccines, deworming, dental and farrier care.
- Work with farrier on trimming and shoeing.
- Work with veterinarians on medical evaluations and assist with euthanasia.
- Be willing and able to learn how to tame horses then tame horses as needed.
- Support adoptions by preparing horses from intake through the adoption process
- Work with potential adopters as requested by adoption coordinator.
- Train or assist in training others including new staff members, foster homes, potential adopters, and volunteers in horsemanship, handling, and good equine management practices.
- Assist in the mentorship and development of Volunteer Equine Trainers
- Maintain communication with outside trainers and foster homes of SEO horses.
- Address foster home concerns with equine behavioral issues.
- Interact professionally with and provide assistance to humane agents and law enforcement officers
- Maintain Protective Custody Procedures for horses coming from Law Enforcement Cases.
- Arrange transportation and intake of equines.
- Contribute to and support initiatives to improve organizational processes and procedures.
- Participate in the evaluation of horse owner situations in the community and provide assistance.
· Assist with events such as the trail ride, training challenge and open houses.
People Care
People are key to fulfilling our mission. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization, volunteers, donors, members of the local equine community and the public at large, law enforcement, business partners, and vendors. Communication occurs face to face, by telephone, and via electronic interactions. We expect our employees to communicate in a way that is clear, understandable, cooperative, professional, and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.
Competencies
Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions.
Organizational Competencies
- Integrity and Ethics
- Adaptability to Change and Ambiguity
- Community Focus
- Emotional Intelligence
- Excellence
Position Key Competencies
- Team player
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Ability to Prioritize and Self-Direct
- Attention to detail
- Time Management
- Willingness to Learn
Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility
Travel
- This position may require driving a company vehicle
- This position may require travel to different work sites
Schedule: Full Time 40 hours working five, 8 hour shifts Tuesday thru Saturday.
Benefits: Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits
- Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Time
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
Compensation: Monthly salary DOE
Work Conditions and Physical Requirements
Work is performed in both an office environment as well as a horse boarding/barn and outdoor setting. Potentially subject to animal bites, scratches, kicks and unpredictable dangerous situations. Frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodations. Frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, movement, and repetitive motion. Work outside in weather extremes, both heat and cold.
Requirements
Position Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Expertise in Horsemanship
- Moderate to High level groundwork/horse handling skills
- Excellent customer service skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
Required
- Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Work Experience: Minimum of two years of experience with equines including experience as an advanced handler or related position in an equine program (boarding, training, or care facility environment)
- Special Training, Certification or Licensure: None
Desired
- Experience dealing with difficult, dangerous, or unhandled equines
- Experience with driving truck and trailer
- Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $3,900.00 - $4,500.00 per month
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- Horse Handling: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Eagle Creek, OR 97022