War Horse For Veterans Skillbridge Program

Position Overview: Ranch Operations & Equine Program SpecialistThis multifaceted role serves as the backbone of our equine-centered nonprofit organization, requiring a unique synthesis of hands-on horsemanship, facility management, the ability to learn equine welfare, and strategic program coordination. The position will teach and train the practical skills of daily ranch operations and provide administrative insight to advance our organization’s mission-driven work with horses and the communities we serve.

Ranch Management & Facility OperationsThe individual will maintain comprehensive oversight of all ranch infrastructure, ensuring our facility operates as a safe, functional, and welcoming environment for horses, staff, volunteers, and program participants. This may include managing pasture rotation and grazing schedules to optimize land health and equine nutrition, coordinating maintenance and repair of fencing, barns, arenas, round pens, and outbuildings, to support both equine welfare and property sustainability. This role may also require implementing manure management and composting systems that meet environmental standards, managing hay and feed procurement, storage, and inventory to ensure year-round supply, and coordinating with vendors, contractors, and service providers for everything from farrier services to equipment repair.Equine Care & Welfare SpecializationWhile working with the Director of Operations, the incumbent will be provided with the opportunity to learn advanced knowledge of horse behavior, health, and training methodologies appropriate for therapeutic, educational, or community programming. Daily responsibilities may include overseeing the health monitoring and wellness protocols for our entire herd, coordinating with veterinarians for routine care, emergencies, and specialized treatments, and developing and implementing training programs that prepare horses for their specific roles in our mission work.Ranch Hand & Daily OperationsIn addition to learning the equine management and program responsibilities mentioned above, this position remains deeply rooted in the physical work of daily horse care. The participants will perform morning and evening feeding routines, barn cleaning, and stall maintenance, assist with grooming, tacking, and preparing horses for program activities, and conduct daily visual health checks, monitoring for injuries, illness, or behavioral changes. Project Management & Strategic CoordinationBeyond daily operations, the participant will work with the Executive Director and Director of Operations on various organizational initiatives and program development. This may include developing annual operational plans that align ranch capabilities with programmatic goals and mission objectives, coordinating multiple concurrent projects such as facility improvements, program expansions, special events, and managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder communication to ensure successful project completion.

Required Qualifications & AttributesSuccess in this role requires a desire to learn or maintain practical horse experience across multiple disciplines, the ability to learn facility management and ranch operations, a desire to learn project management skills with the ability to juggle competing priorities, and the physical capability to perform manual labor in all weather conditions. The participants will need to lift 50-60 pound bales of hay, stand on their feet for long periods of time, mount and dismount from horseback unassisted, and do other physically demanding jobs around the ranch. Strong interpersonal skills are also essential for working with diverse stakeholders including staff, volunteers, board members, program participants, and vendors. Prior horseback riding experience is not required and can be taught as needed.The ideal candidate brings a mission-driven mindset that centers equine welfare while advancing organizational impact, resourcefulness and problem-solving abilities in a nonprofit environment with limited resources, and the flexibility to work irregular hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and emergency response situations. This role offers the rare opportunity to learn deep equine expertise, ranch management leadership skills, and mentored project management skills impact, shaping both the daily lives of our horses and the strategic direction of our life-changing program.

Rustic Lodging Provided.

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