Horseback Riding Program Manager

The JCC Ranch Camp is not just the Denver JCC’s overnight summer camp, it’s also one of the best places to work during the summer. As a staff member, Ranch Camp will become your home away from home as you work to create a community where people can thrive. You’re a hero to your campers; you have the chance to do something you really care about and have a whole lot of fun doing it. Your experience as a staff member is just as important to us as our campers’ experience. That being said: We’re here to serve kids and make sure they are in the safest environment possible while having the time of their lives. 

First and foremost, all our supervisory staff act as a team to support cabin staff.   

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• Take care of staff and campers by prioritizing the physical, social, emotional health, safety, and well-being.  

• Work as a team with the supervisory team to make sure every day runs the way it’s supposed to by helping to lead meals, participating in all camp programming, supporting and maintaining cabin life, and providing coverage for cabin staff as needed.   

• Create a community that you want to be a part of and that you want campers to be a part of.   

• Include everyone and make sure everyone is included.   

• Jump into the camp life: ride horses, swim, camp, play games, sing songs, roast s’mores, be ready to do everything the campers do!  

• Act as a resource and support staff as they manage camp behaviors using positive behavior management techniques, enforcing appropriate safety policies, emergency procedures, camp rules, and more.  

• Be flexible and adaptable because things change quickly at camp. You have to be able to roll with it.  

• And other duties and responsibilities as assigned: you might need to make your campers’ dreams of a beach themed ice-cream campfire song session come true or become your favorite legendary Pokémon for an evening program. 

Our supervisory team is more than just a support structure. We want you to do what matters to you while you’re at camp. 

Want to spend your summer outside, exploring the back country of Colorado and climbing mountains? We have a job for you. Does spending the morning playing soccer and the afternoon creating art make your heart happy? We have a job for you. Want to design a rocket that can make grilled cheese, but also land on Mars? We probably have a job for you, let’s talk. 

Barn Program Manager Responsibilities: 

• Supervise the barn staff as they create and run multiple programs each day for campers of all ages that are safe, fun, and memorable. 

• Ensure the documentation of programming you and your team create for other staff members to use in the future. 

• Work with the program team to create and run programming for all of camp to participate in and for staff to do during off time. The best programs are safe, fun, and memorable! 

• Oversee care for a herd of 38 horses and variety of farm animals by monitoring general health, implementing a consistent feed program, and caring for basic injury.  

• Work in conjunction with Assistant Director of Programming to manage communication and relationships with horse related vendors. 

• Work with Assistant Director of Programming for hay and feed purchasing as well as scheduling veterinary and farrier visits.  

• Supervise barn staff in implementing both the Equestrian Specialty Camp and general riding activities. Coordinate with Trips to team for any shared programs for the Pack and Ride specialty trip. 

• Manage Horseback Riding Lead Program Staff in additional duties like horse care, daily set-up and clean-up, and program instruction. 

• Manage physical space where barn programs and activities take place – main barn, tack areas, riding arenas, etc. Ensure appropriate access limitations to barn activities in conjunction with the director team.   

• Manage cleanliness and supply inventory of spaces where barn activities take place as well as daily set-up and breakdown program areas as needed. 

• Ensure proper safety equipment is used for staff and participants including saddles, bridles, helmets, boots, etc. Additionally, ensure that staff and participants are using all equipment safely and appropriately.  

• Ensure all equipment is appropriately maintained, provide maintenance to equipment, as needed and within scope, and report damaged items to the director team. 

• Manage scheduling and apply curriculum and resources for Barn Program activities. Manage staffing for all scheduled Barn Program activities. Oversee and assign daily program preparation including round-up, tacking, and planning. 

• Assist the barn program instructors in facilitating their activities. You may be jumping into an arena lesson or trail ride! 

Finally, all staff must be able to attend Staff Orientations and be available to live at camp for the summer season. The Barn Program Manager will be required to be on-site for horse arrival. 

Physical Demands and Working Environment 

Physical Demands:

This job requires the incumbent to have operative auditory and visual functioning. Employee must also be able to walk upwards of two (2) miles each day, including use of stairs and uneven terrain.  Employee may also stand, sit in chairs or on the ground, run, and swim. Employee may lift or body block campers when necessary.   

Work Environment:

Working conditions may include being in indoor, often time’s loud spaces and spending extended time outdoors under the sun. Must have the ability to work in a hectic, sometimes stressful environment while maintaining the standard of care.