The groundskeeper/ equine caretaker supports the ARCH Academy mission of providing the highest quality care possible in a cost-effective manner for persons and families who are at risk for or who are suffering from the disease of chemical dependency. Treatment encompasses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of recovery by offering a safe, loving and healing environment, combining professional excellence and the principles of the Twelve Steps.
The groundskeeper/equine performs a wide variety of landscaping and grounds maintenance functions. This position also supports the care and upkeep of all buildings of this facility under the direction of the maintenance manager. The groundskeeper/equine caretaker is responsible for the horses associated with the ARCH equine program.
Position Summary
The groundskeeper/equine caretaker is responsible for maintenance of buildings, equipment, horses, and grounds at Cumberland Heights to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the facility.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs scheduled preventive maintenance on facilities equipment.
- Performs maintenance tasks in the areas of painting, carpentry, groundskeeping, and horse care.
- Ensures that maintenance tasks are completed according to established safety procedures and guidelines.
- Maintain lawns, shrubbery and trees including planting, watering, trimming, mowing, edging, fertilizing, weeding and pest control.
- Prepare areas for planting by clearing, grading and fertilizing and watering ground.
- Mulch all flower beds, trees and other designated areas, as needed.
- Pick up and dispose trash and debris in assigned areas using rakes, brooms and blowers.
- Install and assure the proper operation, maintenance and repair of in-ground sprinkler systems.
- Trim hedges and shrubs with hand shears or power edger, prune and trim trees and remove dead trees and plants using handsaws, chainsaws and clippers.
- Prepare and maintain all flowerbeds based on seasonal requirements.
- Operate blower for cleaning sidewalks, driveways and roadways of snow, gravel and small debris.
- Maintain all parking gates, security booths and parking equipment, as needed.
- Available for alternate, evening and weekend schedules and shifts may be required to meet client needs, state and regulatory agency requirements and business necessity.
- Catch, halter and lead horse to barn or other location.
- Feeding and watering horses on a daily schedule.
- Groom horses.
- Cleaning stalls and maintain all areas of the barn.
- Must identify and know general procedures for equine care.
- Recognize equine signs of distress and follow emergency protocol
- Maintain clean tack and other supplies/equipment, checking for unsafe/worn equipment and replace as needed.
- Assist with safety in equine group therapy.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with current and former clients, client family members and referral sources.
- Comply with company’s code of conduct.
- Ensures that a welcoming, safe and healing environment is maintained for each patient and family throughout the continuum of care.
- Recommends ways to improve the quality and delivery of services.
- Protects the confidentiality of patient and company information.
- Reacts productively to change.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or GED is required; a minimum of two (2) years of experience in equine and groundskeeping experience (carpentry, painting, low voltage, and equipment operations a plus) and basic skills in all of the other trades required ; and/or equivalent education or experience in job related activities.
OTHER SKILLS
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds; must ask for lifting assistance if weight is beyond physical limitations or over 40 pounds; ability to speak, hear, see, sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, crouch, handle and reach; ability to speak, read and write in English; good problem-solving, analytical and interpersonal skills; good dexterity; good oral communication skills; ability to solve problems associated with equipment; ability to physically make repairs where equipment is located. If recovering, one year of verifiable abstinence required with active participation in the appropriate Twelve Step program preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Position is in an office setting and outdoors utilizing maintenance skills that involve associated risks or discomforts requiring safety precautions. Position is subject to demand of 24-hour operation and critical equipment that must be kept operational.
