Equestrian Senior Yard Assistant

**ANNUAL SALARY** £23,396 per annum

**Full-Time** 39 hours per week on a rota that includes mornings, days, evenings and weekends

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who will play a key role in supporting the Yard Manager. They will ensure that the Equestrian Centre’s resources are effectively and efficiently managed, acting as a point of contact for Yard Assistants and deputising for the Yard Manager when required. The role will also support and provide coaching, teaching, learning and assessment resources for equine students including a commercial equine event calendar comprising of local, regional, national and international events.

**Benefits**:

- Excellent rural work environment
- Free car parking
- A range of on-site catering facilities
- 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays
- Discounted gym membership at the on-site gym
- Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Strong College Values such as Striving for Excellence and ‘Can do’ Attitude

**OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB**:
This key role supports the Yard Manager ensuring that the Equestrian Centre’s resources are effectively and efficiently managed, acting as a point of contact for Yard Assistants and deputising for the Yard Manager when required. The role will also support and provide coaching, teaching, learning and assessment resources for a range of equine students including a commercial equine event calendar comprising of local, regional, national and international events.

Bishop Burton College includes the Riseholme College campus and the postholder may be required to carry out duties at both campuses.

The following list of duties and responsibilities is not meant to be exclusive. It should be taken as an indicator of the type and level of activity expected of this post. The list does not represent either priorities or frequency of tasks and should be regularly updated by the post holder in consultation with and agreement of their line manager.

**MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**:
- Contribute to the effective day to day operations of the Equestrian Centre, deputising for the Yard Manager when required
- Guide, motivate, assess and supervise students on routines and maintain records associated with this.
- Contribute to the delivery, maintenance, safety, presentation and effective organisation of the Yard and horse health and welfare standards
- Support the Yard Manager in the review, development and implementation of policies, procedures, risk assessments and work instructions
- Provide high quality instruction for student groups and commercial clients
- Support the Equine Instructor and coach student enrichment activities such as BUCS, Riding Club, Livery Lessons and the Equine Academy as required
- Be part of the team that delivers the extensive and varied calendar of equine competitions and to be the management presence for smaller events when required.
- Assist with the training and ridden development of College horses
- Support the Equine Therapist to safely undertake equine therapy sessions
- Keep up to date with changes in the equine industry best practice and suggest how they can be implemented into the Department’s ways of working

Take part in all staff College events such as Lambing Sunday and Open Farm Sunday

**Person Specification**

**Qualifications & Training**

**Essential**
- BHS Stage 2 Horsemanship qualification or equivalent
- BHS Stage 3 Horsemanship qualification or equivalent or willing to obtain
- BHS Stage 3 Coaching qualification or equivalent or willing to obtain
- Full Driving Licence

**Desirable**
- IOSH Managing Safely
- First Aid at Work

**Experience**

**Essential**
- Relevant and recent experience in a commercial equine enterprise
- Driving tractors (or willing to learn)
- Instructing students and clients of various ages and abilities
- Follow, demonstrate and implement safe working practices and standards

**Desirable**
- Supporting water treadmill and therapy practices
- Supervising and guiding a small team of staff

**Skills & Special Knowledge**

**Essential**
- Knowledge of the equine industry and sports
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a variety of customers
- Ability to pay attention to detail, follow instructions and set an example
- Team working skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Proven ability to teach students and clients of various ages and abilities
- Ability to work on own initiative, deal with and non-routine issues and make decisions within an agreed framework
- Knowledge of Child Protection Issues
- Able to form & maintain appropriate relationships & personal boundaries with young people

**Desirable**
- Knowledge of equine therapy equipment and usage (supporting a lead member of staff)