Farm Based Life Skills Counselor

Life Skills Counselor – Healing with Horses

Part-Time to grow into Full-Time| On-Site

St. Stephens Church, Virginia

About The Fox Moon Farm Project

The Fox Moon Farm Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that nature and animals have a profound and enduring power to heal and teach. Nestled on 60 acres in the heart of rural Virginia, our farm is a place of refuge, growth, and transformation — a sanctuary where individuals of all ages and abilities are welcomed with warmth, dignity, and compassion.

Through our flagship Healing with Horses program, we provide Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and therapeutic horseback riding to children, adolescents, and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism spectrum conditions, complex trauma, and other emotional or behavioral challenges. Our work centers on meeting each individual exactly where they are — and walking alongside them as they discover their own strength, resilience, and capacity for joy.

Come as you are. Leave with more than you imagined.

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled, and mission-driven Life Skills Counselor to join our Healing with Horses team. In this meaningful role, you will work one-on-one with children and youth who have special needs or who are navigating the effects of trauma — including anxiety, low self-confidence, emotional dysregulation, anger management difficulties, and challenges with following directions and impulse control.

Sessions take place primarily outdoors on our 60-acre working farm. You will use the healing power of horses, donkeys, farm animals, and the natural environment as your primary tools for therapeutic intervention and life skills development. No two sessions are alike — each experience is tailored to the needs, goals, and pace of the child you are serving.

This is not a traditional office or clinical role. It is an invitation to do deeply purposeful, heart-centered work in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable — alongside animals who never judge, always respond, and have an extraordinary gift for reflection and healing.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate individualized, one-on-one life skills sessions with children and youth with special needs or trauma-related emotional and behavioral challenges, using horses, donkeys, other farm animals and the farm environment as co-facilitators in the therapeutic process.
• Develop and implement structured, goal-oriented session plans with a focus on building life skills based on an Assessment and Treatment Plan written for each client.
• Apply evidence-based behavioral and therapeutic frameworks — including Positive Behavior Support and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) within a farm and equine-assisted learning context.
• Conduct reflective processing discussions following each activity to help clients identify and explore emotional responses, behavioral patterns, and personal growth.
• Assess individual client strengths, needs, and progress on an ongoing basis; adjust session plans accordingly to ensure each child's experience is meaningful and appropriately challenging.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential client session notes, goal tracking, incident reports, and progress documentation in accordance with The Fox Moon Farm standards and confidentiality guidelines.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, Equine Specialist, and other team members to ensure coordinated, client-centered service delivery.
• Communicate thoughtfully and professionally with families, caregivers, and external service providers (therapists, case managers, schools) to support continuity of care.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to behavioral crises using non-violent crisis intervention techniques; demonstrate calm, steady, trauma-informed de-escalation skills.
• Ensure the physical safety of all clients during farm-based sessions, including safe animal handling practices and awareness of environmental considerations.
• Participate in team meetings, staff training, and organizational events as needed.
• Serve as a positive, consistent, and affirming presence in the lives of the children we serve — modeling healthy relationships, emotional regulation, and respect.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of direct experience working with children and/or individuals with special needs, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism spectrum conditions, or trauma-related emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Special Education, Human Services, or a closely related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Demonstrated proficiency in trauma-informed care approaches and the ability to implement individualized behavioral support strategies effectively.
• Experience facilitating individual life skills training and/or therapeutic sessions in community, residential, school, or similar settings.
• Knowledge of and experience applying behavioral intervention frameworks such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Positive Behavior Support (PBS) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical documentation, session notes, and progress records in compliance with confidentiality standards.
• Deep commitment to strength-based and person-centered approaches to care.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain prior to start date).
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work comfortably and safely outdoors in variable weather conditions and in proximity to horses and farm animals.
• Clear background check required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with or training in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), or animal-assisted intervention.
• Experience in youth case management, residential treatment, or school-based support settings.
• Prior work with autism spectrum conditions and/or experience developing or implementing IEPs or individualized behavior support plans.
• Comfort with farm environments and a general affinity for animals and nature.

Who You Are

Beyond credentials, we are looking for someone with a particular kind of heart. The right person for this role:

• Is genuinely warm, patient, and deeply compassionate — someone children feel safe with and gravitated toward.
• Brings a calm, grounded presence, especially in moments of dysregulation or emotional intensity.
• Is flexible, creative, and comfortable leaning into the unexpected — because healing and animals rarely follow a script.
• Believes in the inherent worth and potential of every child, regardless of their history or diagnosis.
• Is an attentive listener who reads non-verbal cues as fluently as words — a skill that translates beautifully to working alongside horses.
• Takes a strengths-based, empowering approach: you notice what children can do, not just what they struggle with.
• Is a collaborative team player who communicates openly, shows up consistently, and contributes to a positive, mission-aligned work culture.
• Has a genuine appreciation for the outdoors, animals, and the quiet power of nature to restore and renew.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is based on-site at our 60-acre farm in St. Stephens Church, Virginia. Work is conducted primarily outdoors and may include walking on uneven terrain, standing for extended periods, and working in proximity to horses and other farm animals. Candidates must be comfortable in an active, outdoor, agricultural setting regardless of weather.

Compensation & Schedule

This is a part-time position with scheduling based on program needs. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. As a nonprofit, The Fox Moon Farm Project is deeply committed to the well-being of our staff and to creating a supportive, values-driven workplace. Details will be discussed during the interview process.

How to Apply

If this opportunity speaks to you, we would love to hear from you. Please submit the following to cfrei@foxmoonfarm.org with the subject line "Life Skills Counselor Application":

• A current resume highlighting relevant experience with children, special needs populations, and/or trauma-informed care
• A brief cover letter (no more than one page) telling us why this role resonates with you and what unique gifts you would bring to the children we serve
• Two to three professional references

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. The Fox Moon Farm Project is an equal opportunity employer.

"Nature always wears the colors of Spirit." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

At Fox Moon Farm, healing happens naturally — through trust, connection, and compassionate guidance.

www.foxmoonfarm.org

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Application Question(s):

• Do you have the ability to work comfortably outdoors in variable weather conditions in a farm environment close to horses and animals?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• working with specials needs or trauma individuals: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Saint Stephens Church, VA 23148 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $30