Join Our Team:

For 40 years, the National Ability Center has been breaking barriers and transforming lives through adaptive sports and recreation, providing individuals of all ages with disabilities the opportunity to experience adventure, independence, and community. Are you passionate about horses and inspired by the life-changing impact of therapeutic and adaptive riding? The National Ability Center is seeking dedicated and experienced Adaptive Riding Instructors to join our team in beautiful Park City, Utah.

Job Summary:

The National Ability Center is seeking passionate instructors to provide safe and high quality private and/or group adaptive horseback riding lessons and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions to participants of all abilities. This includes conducting participant assessments, creating lesson plans, providing lessons, barn chores, schooling horses and supporting the equestrian team with the daily functions of the equestrian program. This is a part-time, seasonal position for the summer season (approximately May – September), with the possibility of extending into the fall/winter depending on programming needs.

Essential Duties:

• Implements and supervises safety/risk management protocols in a caring and fun environment for participants, volunteers, and staff.
• Teaches adaptive horseback riding lessons, unmounted lessons, support equine-assisted psychotherapy single and group sessions, and other roles as assigned.
• Conducts pre-lesson activities including, but not limited to completing participant assessments, creating lesson plans, reviewing progress notes, preparing for lesson activities, and lunging horses.
• Conducts post-lesson activities including, but not limited to discussing lessons with parents, interns and volunteers, putting tacks and arena props away, writing progress notes on each student, cleaning the barn, and feeding horses.
• Assists in daily care of horses as assigned including, but not limited to: schooling, feeding, and injury/illness care when necessary.
• Assists in training volunteers as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience teaching horseback riding lessons; adaptive experience preferred.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to achieve within three months of hire.
• Ability to work weekend days, evenings, and occasional holidays.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PATH Intl CTRI Certification
• Working knowledge of disabilities and PATH Intl standards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to ride and school a wide variety of horses (English, Western, bareback, etc.). Riding skill proficiency demonstrating at a minimum: walk, trot & canter on a variety of horses and disciplines.
• Demonstrated skill in handling horses from the ground, including grooming, tacking, lunging, turn out/bring in, handling gates, identifying colic and lameness, etc.
• Strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate multiple responsibilities and shifting priorities in a quick-paced environment.
• Knowledge of a variety of disabilities and ability to communicate effectively and connect with participants and their families.
• Ability to adapt and use innovative solutions to provide personalized experiences for every participant based on their individual needs and goals.
• Ability to support program needs with a proactive and solution-oriented initiative.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively and efficiently under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work productively and collaboratively within a team.
• Commitment to a positive, fun, and team-oriented working environment while promoting the NAC Values.

Working Conditions:

• Comfortable working in all conditions including outdoors and inclement weather.
• Ability to consistently lift, carry and transfer participants, hay bales and equipment that may weigh 75 or more pounds, stand for up to 6 hours, and walk and run on uneven surfaces for up to 2 or more consecutive hours including stooping, bending, crouching and repetitive hand motions. 

Benefits: This is a part-time position that does not include full benefits. However, the following employee perks are available.

• Opportunity to see PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification.
• Opportunity to seek CHA Instructor of Riding Disabilities Certification.
• Access to industry pro deals.
• Community fitness center discounts.
• Optional hospital and accident insurance plans.