Equine Program Assistant

Summary:The Equine Program Assistant supports the daily care of horses, maintenance of barn and pasture facilities, and execution of equine-assisted programming at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch (TCAR).This role assists the Barn Manager in ensuring safe, structured, and therapeutic interactions between residents and horses.The position requires a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to TCAR's Christ-centered mission and trauma-informed care approach.Key Responsibilities:1.Horse Care & Facility Maintenance Assist with daily feeding, watering, grooming, turnout, and basic health monitoring of horses.Maintain a clean, organized, and safe barn environment, including stalls, paddocks, tack, equipment, and surrounding areas.Support pasture maintenance, fencing checks, and overall facility safety.Prepare for and assist with veterinary and farrier visits as directed by the Barn Manager.Maintain tack and equipment; promptly report repair or inventory needs.2.Program & Group Support Prepare horses, equipment, and activity areas for equine-assisted therapy sessions.Ensure horses are appropriately selected, tacked, and ready for scheduled groups.Follow all safety protocols, including CHA-aligned standards and internal procedures.Assist with maintaining logs (feed, turnout, health checks) as assigned.Support the Barn Manager in managing group flow, transitions, and safety.3.Resident Engagement Assist residents in groundwork, grooming, leading, and basic horse-handling skills within scope of training.Reinforce emotional regulation, respectful communication, and safe behavior during activities.Maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries.Report resident concerns promptly to the Barn Manager and clinical team.4.Administrative & Operational Support Assist with tracking and ordering feed, supplies, and equipment.Provide operational support during Barn Manager absences to maintain continuity (nonsupervisory role).Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and Reconnect events.Complete basic EMR or session preparation tasks as assigned.5.Safety & Emergency Support Assist in care of horses and facilities during extreme weather or emergency situations.Participate in emergency response procedures, safety checks, and turnout adjustments.Maintain required certifications, including CPR/First Aid and CPI (training provided by TCAR).Key Competencies:Dependability & Work Ethic - Consistently follows through on responsibilities in a physically demanding environment.Attention to Detail - Maintains safety, cleanliness, and accurate care routines.Adaptability - Responds effectively to changing schedules, weather, and program needs.Team Collaboration - Works well under direction and supports team operations.Emotional Awareness - Models calm, respectful behavior with residents.Safety Awareness - Understands and follows protocols for both equine and resident safety.Initiative - Identifies needs and takes appropriate action within role boundaries.Qualifications:Experience in basic horse handling and equine care required; equine therapy experience preferred.Prior barn, ranch, or farm experience strongly preferred.CHA certification or willingness to complete training provided by TCAR.Ability to lift 50 lbs and perform physically demanding work in varying weather conditions.Minimum age of 21; valid driver's license; must meet Arkansas DHS requirements for residential care staff.High School Diploma or equivalent.Comfortable working with at-risk youth in a therapeutic, trauma-informed environment.Strong communication skills, reliability, and ability to follow structured protocols.Commitment to TCAR's faith-based mission, values, and behavioral expectations.Benefits:Health, dental, and vision insurance (if applicable) Retirement Planning with a 403b Account & Employer Match Paid time off Ongoing training and certification opportunities 75% of continuing education tuition up to $5,000.00 PER YEAR Additional Requirements:Must pass all required background checks.Must always maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.Must complete all required agency trainings, including crisis intervention and annual refreshers.Must be able to perform physical duties including lifting, stall cleaning, leading horses, and extended outdoor work in all seasons.Pay:$30,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year Benefits:401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Education:High school or equivalent (Required) Experience:Equine:2 years (Required) Equine-Assisted Therapy:1 year (Preferred) barn, ranch, or farm:1 year (Preferred) License/Certification:Drivers License (Required) CHA certification (Preferred) Ability to Commute:Morrow, AR 72749 (Preferred) Work Location:In person.