What are the responsibilities and job description for the Equestrian Instructor/Wrangler position at KVC Health Systems?
Equestrian Instructor for At-Risk Youth
Do you want to be part of the most exciting and fulfilling job you’ve ever imagined?
- Join the Team
- Leave a Legacy
- Change Lives… yours, too!
KVC’s Meramec Adventure Ranch
Who we are:
The Meramec Adventure Ranch is the therapeutic wilderness and adventure arm of KVC. Using the transformative power of the wilderness and adventure, the Ranch is dedicated to serving individuals and families whom much of the world has given up on, including youth struggling with traumatic pasts, youth in residential treatment, youth on the Autism Spectrum, and Wounded Warriors. Located on 1,200 acres in Steelville, Missouri, the Ranch has grown to be one of the most extensive adventure bases in the Midwest and has served over 120,000 youth and families since its beginning in 2006.
What you get to do:
The ranch is a unique program; the only one of its kind in Missouri and one of the few therapeutic adventure programs left in the country that serve court-ordered youth in the state system. The Ranch needs summer staff to run the 10-week therapeutic summer adventure program working with At-Risk Youth, Youth on the Autism spectrum, and Wounded Warriors and their families. Our campers have all experienced histories of severe trauma and abuse and have come to a place in their lives where they feel hopelessly “stuck.” That is precisely why the ranch exists!
Using the transformative power of the wilderness, rope courses, team challenges, climbing, paddling, aquatic adventures, land navigation, mountain biking, archery, primitive skills, and many other adventures, you’ll get to walk alongside your campers as they grow build confidence in their ability to impact any situation, deepen healthy relationships, and find that the stories of their past don’t count them out, but can be used to change their world in powerful ways. You will get to be a part of their stories as they grow, heal, and begin to hope!
Equestrian Instructors teach and lead groups of youth in residential treatment, foster care, youth on the Autism Spectrum, and Wounded Warriors and their families through 10 weeks of exhilarating horse programs. Each day, you’ll teach campers horse care, grooming, saddling, and riding techniques, conduct trail rides, including small cattle drives and ranch work. Throughout each day, you’ll intentionally process the activities to foster individual growth and healing. You'll have the opportunity to use horses in intentional ways to grow your campers’ confidence, relationships, and purpose, as well helping them heal from the past and grow hope for the future.
You can be a part of this critical program and play a vital role in the life stories of the incredible individuals we are honored to stand alongside each day!
When is Camp?
May 17th–June 1st: Camp Preparation/Training/Adventure Race
June 4th–June 28th: Camp Sessions 1-4 (Court-Ordered Youth, Foster Care Youth, Kids with ASD)
June 29th-July 4th: Break
July 5th–August 1st: Camp Sessions 5-8 (Wounded Warrior Families, Foster Care Youth, Kids with ASD)
Do I get paid for these positions?
Yes! Salaries are extremely competitive for camp positions and based on position and experience. Call for details. Meals and housing are provided at the camp, and housing is provided for time off if you desire to remain in the area. Practicums and internships are welcome and encouraged!
Challenges:
- Kids who are extremely challenging to build relationships and trust with, and many times will act out in extreme ways to find out if you really are who you say you are.
- Long times in the woods with heat, bugs, snakes, ridiculously long hours, and few showers.
- Opportunities to leave a lasting impact on the program. Our team has created what the Ranch is today and our team will create what it becomes tomorrow.
- Performance is not based on the greatness of your techniques or strength of your skills, but on the quality and character of person you are.
Benefits:
- All those “challenges” mentioned above!
- Never have two days that are the same.
- Housing is provided for all staff.
- All food is provided when running programs.
- PRODEALS, PRODEALS, PRODEALS!
- Free stickers for your Nalgene Bottle…Everyone needs a few more!
- You can bring your hammock to work…though we won’t guarantee that you’ll spend much time in it.
- Looking up a night sky from your sleeping bag and saying to yourself, “This is where I belong!”
- Stand beside people who have seen incredible adversity, hurt, and pain, and be a part of their stories as they grow to change the world!
Experience Needed:
- A Calling/Passion to be HERE!
- GRIT
- Disciplined Work Ethic
- Honesty
- Willingness to have fun and act silly
- Creativity and Ideas
- Self-Awareness
- Wisdom and Discernment
- Willingness to learn
- Humility
- Unconditional Care, Unwavering Belief, and Consistent Accountability for yourself, the Ranch Family, and those we serve
- Experience in Adventure activities and Residential Care or in a related field.
For more information: Contact Brett Bailey at bbailey@kvc.org, 573-775-5513
www.facebook.com/meramecranch/
https://missouri.kvc.org/meramec-adventure-ranch/
bbailey@kvc.org
573-775-5513
If you are passionate about being part of what is happening at the Meramec Adventure Ranch, send your resume to bbailey@kvc.org
We would be honored to team up with you and stand alongside some pretty amazing youth!