JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Equine Centre Manager (maternity cover)
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Sanctuary Farms Manager
STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR: Equine Centre Team Members
HOURS: 40
BASED AT: Aylsham, Norfolk
TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT Six months, then rolling one month
JOB PURPOSE (A Summary)
To work under the general supervision of the Sanctuary Farms Manager, to work as Manager providing a high standard of care and welfare of the equines under your care at the centre.
To be responsible for the day to day running of the equine side of the centre, while motivating and line managing equine centre team members as required, in a professional, proactive and positive manner.
To work within Redwings policies and procedures to deliver a positive experience for staff, visitors and potential guardians, alongside the Aylsham Visitor Centre Manager.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
To ensure the equines under you management are cared for in line with Sanctuary policy and standards, maintaining quality care for their life with Redwings.
To undertake overall management of the equine centre, to include staff allocation of duties and planning of schedules to ensure efficient running of the centre and rehoming of horses from the centre.
To effectively lead and develop a diverse team of staff, leading them and motivating them to achieve agreed goals.
To develop your team members through carrying out inductions, regular probationary reviews and APDRS.
To assist your Line Manager with the recruitment of staff when required in line with HR procedures.
To adhere to Redwings policies and procedures and lead by example.
To know the equines in your care individually, to know their needs in all seasons, throughout their lives.
To undertake a key role in observation of pasture management, showing an awareness of herd size and initiating equine movements when appropriate.
To inform the Internal Welfare Coordinator of completed horse movements, treatments, medications, farriers, group sizes and locations.
To ensure the locations and status of equines in your care are accurately represented on REMS computer data base.
To accurately maintain administrative records regarding stock requirements, vehicle maintenance, staff absence and holiday, accident and safety procedures.
To communicate professionally, effectively and appropriately with your team and the wider organisation to enable the optimum equine care.
Working hands on with the team to monitor and improve methods of care and able to delegate tasks where necessary.
To liaise effectively and consistently with your line manager, openly communicating on all topics.
To input into meetings with peers within the organisation, proactively and positively finding solutions to challenges.
To respond appropriately and promptly to staff issues and concerns.
To implement the Redwings Behaviour Programme using approved and trained staff, recording interactions between staff/equines and ensuring equines progress.
To maintain stocks of feed, forage, bedding and work with the Stocks & Logistics Officer to ensure supplies are appropriate for use.
Equine Health
To accurately assess the overall condition of the equines within your care:
· Body condition
· Feeding requirements
· Forage requirements
· Seasonal care
· Dental care
· Veterinary care/ailments
· Hoof care requirements
Taking action as necessary.
As far as possible provide the Five Freedoms for the equines in you care.
To plan and monitor routine and specialist feeding requirements
Monitor checkers ensuring standards are maintained with reference to the checker training manual.
Recognise and deal with horse health emergencies, contacting internal professionals and referring cases as per the checker training manual.
Have a thorough understanding of isolation and quarantine procedures.
Identify horse ailments, referring cases to internal veterinary professionals as per the checker training manual. Liaise effectively with in-house veterinary team and external practitioners.
Visitors Centre
To ensure equine centre staff present themselves in an informative and
professional manner to visitors.
To effectively liaise with visitor centre staff daily, ensuring activities are planned to make best use of resources.
To be able to give public demonstrations confidently and knowledgably, and motivate and lead staff in the presentations of small lectures/demos.
Nights
To provide a night task sheet of yard duties that can be carried out during the night security checks and to communicate with them effectively.
Expectations
To participate in departmental and in house training and carry learned skills into practice.
To ensure, as far as reasonably practical, observance and adherence to the health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
To ensure that services and conduct are in accordance with sanctuary standards, equal opportunities and objectives of Quality Assurance.
To perform other such duties, of a like nature, as may from time to time be required by the sanctuary.
To correctly assess staff competency and identify training needs taking action and providing training where necessary within scope.
To drive the tractor/small horse box and/or to tow the trailer as requested.
Caring for large animals is a very physical activity and the role involves bending, lifting and other labour intensive tasks.
The person carrying this role must therefore be physically fit to carry out all of the tasks.
GENERAL
1. Ensure that all within the teams have a grasp of the Sanctuary’s structure, Redwings Values and purpose and have opportunities for involvement in its further development.
2. Ensure the maintenance of confidentiality in respect of staff, and client records and all privileged information relating to the services of the Charity, its Equines, staff and supporters and particularly of the area for which directly involved.
3. Promote and foster the Sanctuary’s reputation and standing within the community and nationally; with private, statutory and voluntary sector agencies and organisations.
4. Undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required.
NOTES
All staff must be sympathetic to and able to project the philosophy and concept of sanctuary care and Redwings values
Redwings Horse Sanctuary is very much a community and all members of staff are encouraged to be part of its day to day life.
Health and Safety:
All staff are expected to comply with Redwings Health and Safety policies and procedures. Employees have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to:
- carry out their work safely without undue risk to themselves, colleagues and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions
- cooperate with their employer in complying with any duty or requirement imposed by health and safety legislation
This Job Description may change and the duties listed are not exhaustive, but such change will only be made following consultation between the (relevant) "Manager" and the postholder. A job description review automatically takes place as part of the Performance Management process.
REDWINGS PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post: / Equine Centre Manager (Maternity)Department: / Veterinary and Care
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Education/
Qualifications / NVQ 3/BHS 3 in Horse Care and Management, equivalent qualification and/or demonstrate appropriate knowledge.
Experience in backing and training equines
Understanding of grassland management
Evidence of a good standard of general education.
Use of Microsoft Office/ Outlook/Excel experience evidence/qualification. / First Aid at work qualification.
A basic Health and Safety qualification.
Experience / Three years experience in the equine industry.
To be able to train equines from untouched to advanced.
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Experience of identifying and making decisions regarding treatment of equine ailments.
An aptitude to work under pressure and meet deadlines, making best use of available resources.
Experience in liaising and listening effectively with individuals, and as part of a team.
Experience with leadership and management of a large and diverse team
Experience with managing large numbers of horses in field kept and/or stabled environment. / Shown ability to work with teams within an organisation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Experience of communicating at all levels and able to provide evidence.
Communicating clearly the aims of an organisation to a team.
Experience of homing equines
Skills/Ability/
Knowledge / Evidence/qualification of effectively managing and motivating a large team.
Ability to communicate clearly.
Positive attitude to Health & Safety at work.
A general understanding of current employment legislation. (Policies and procedures)
An understanding of Redwings aims and objectives, values and ethos.
Handling a large variety of horses, ponies, donkeys, mules including stallions. / Able to identify and make recommendations or suggestions for areas that require improvement.
Experience of driving tractor and trailer.
Knowledge and application of grassland management principles.
Qualities/
Attributes / A compassion for equines.
A positive and progressive attitude to management.
Consistent approach to work and the ability to remain so in all circumstances.
Other
Requirements / To be available for training that is beneficial to the individual and the organisation.
Flexible approach to working hours and shift patterns.
Full driving licence. / Knowledge of other similar organisations.
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