Summer Camp 2024 Horse Camp Instructor

ORGANIZATION

Sienna Ranch provides immersive nature programming, farm education and compelling outdoor experiences for youth pre-K to teen. Our program offerings include woodshop, natural building, archery, horseback riding, gardening, science, pottery, survival skills, naturalist skills and much more. Sienna Ranch is situated on a 21-acre family-owned ranch in Lafayette, CA. 

Sienna Ranch is seeking seasonal horse camp counselors and/or riding instructors for our 2024 Summer Camp Season.

The Sienna Ranch Equine Program has a mission to inspire the youth to be responsible and educated equestrians. We aim to give kids a well-rounded knowledge of overall horse care and a solid foundation of equestrian skills. By the end of the program, participants will have an understanding of horses’ natural environmental ecosystems with a focus on their biological instincts as well as the many roles they have played, and continue to play, in our society. Our goal is to give students the foundation they need to further their journey as budding equestrians.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Sienna Ranch Summer Horse Camp is a dynamic program that establishes development of young riders through a balanced approach of equine education, horse care, and riding. Week-long horse camps are designed for entry level students who love horses and want to build their skills and confidence. The Riding Instructor and Horse Camp Counselors work as part of a collaborative, supportive and professional team to offer riding lessons, horsemanship skills such as grooming, tacking, and mucking, as well as horse-theme arts and crafts. Additional curriculum focuses on horse history, anatomy, and natural horsemanship. In addition this role will assist our Animal Care Manager with care for our horses. This is a non riding position.

Instructors are responsible for creatively adapting and delivering dynamic nature-based curriculum to small groups of 2nd grade - 5th grade aged youth. Additional activities may include hiking, games, archery, pottery, woodshop, gardening, animal care, and wilderness skills. Rapport-building between students and instructors is a key aspect of this position. Instructors will cultivate a sense of curiosity and discovery of the equine world through inquiry-based teaching, hands-on lessons, animal interactions, and exploration. Instructors will model enthusiasm for all aspects of nature and weather conditions and consistently incorporate themes of stewardship, gratitude, and wonder.  Horse instructors work as part of a dynamic and collaborative team as well as teach classes independently. This position reports to the Animal Care Manager and Operations Director. 

SCHEDULE SUMMARY

Non-exempt/hourly. Seasonal. Full-time (30-35 hours/week). 

Summer Dates: 

• Duration of employment May 24-August 16th, 2024

• Mandatory Training May 24, 27-31, 2024

• Week-long M-F day camps begin June 3rd. 11 weeks in total. Instructors are required to work 10 out of the 11 weeks. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Teach horse camps according to the key program values and curriculum overview

• Maintain prompt and professional email communication with Ranch administration, proactively communicating any issues which may arise

• Take responsibility for the safety, education and happiness of all participants in your camp

• Encourage respect between participants, as well as respect for the Ranch animals, equipment, and facilities

• Ensure appropriate and safe behavior for all participants, utilizing the Sienna Ranch Parent/Guardian Report system when necessary

• Demonstrate impeccable time management and reliably arrive to classes on time as well prep before classes, clean up afterwards, and care for equipment, supplies and facilities.

• Able to hold boundaries with students and comfortable upholding consequences when necessary with priority for positive-discipline based approaches. 

• Confidently hike on uneven or undeveloped terrain with groups of  children, finding and following nature mysteries, and facilitating unstructured nature exploration

REQUIREMENTS

• At least 2 years experience as camp counselor, outdoor educator, riding instructor, or related field

• For those interested in teaching horseback riding lessons specifically: At least 2 years experience teaching safe and engaging beginner horseback riding lessons. Pony Club experience looked upon favorably within the past 5 years. 

• Natural horsemanship background/approach a plus

• Able to independently and confidently interact with horses.

• Ability to independently groom and tack horses and confidently manage students interactions with horses in a group setting.

• Knowledge of english and western tack (we predominantly use english)

• Ability to patiently and positively mentor youth from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and experiences 

• Willing to work outside in all weather 

• Able to maintain clean, organized workspaces

• Ability to improvise, be creative, proactive and flexible, with a strong back pocket of games and activities

• Thrive in professional environment with minimal supervision

• Ability to lead curriculum, activities, games and projects as assigned, and to follow a strict daily timetable

• Committed to being a solution-oriented, self-motivated community member in a cooperative, team-oriented atmosphere

• Be a model of kindness, flexibility and professionalism

• Able to check and respond to email communications within 24 business hours

• Current First Aid and CPR for Adult and Child certifications, and clear TB test results (or ability to acquire before first day or work), and ability to pass FBI/DOJ background check for working with children

• Certificate of completion for California Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

• Proof of FDA COVID Vaccination 

COMPENSATION

• Hourly, Starting Rage: $19-21 depending on experience, must be 18 years or older.

APPLICATION

Email cover letter, resume, and answers to the application questions below to ops@siennaranch.net. Please make sure to include your name, phone number and email address. 

Application Deadline:

March 15, 2024: Applications will be considered as they are received in order to fill this position as quickly as possible. 

Application Questions:

Please reflect on and respond to the following questions:

1. How did you hear about this position?

2. Describe your equestrian background (discipline and/or approach to horse handling)

3. Please list at least one question you have for us about Sienna Ranch, or the Summer Instructor position.

Sienna Ranch is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and other groups traditionally underrepresented in outdoor education. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.