Groom/Yard Assistant

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine stable duties: mucking out, grooming/clipping and exercising fit horses ridden and on  the lunge, turning out and catching. To be capable of handling, riding, and exercising all the horses situated at the college.  
• Assume primary responsibility for exercising horses as needed and liaising with Equine Groups and individuals hiring the riding arenas. 
• Maintain the horses, the yard, riding arenas, surrounding areas, fields and paddocks,  equipment, horses’ tack and clothing tidy and in good working order to BHS standards and  appropriate for a BHS Examination Centre. Paying particular attention to security including  the closing of gates at the ends of shifts etc. reporting of any faults or issues as they arise.  Contacting the designated person by telephone at the start and end of the shift. Carry out routine  checks of equipment, tools, machinery, complete checklists as required by Head Groom / HoC.  
• Maintain a standard of dress and wear PPE appropriate and up to current standards to a BHS Examination Centre, setting a good example as a positive role model. 
• Advise the Head Groom / HoC regarding work programmes for part time grooms within the bounds of their job description, paying particular attention to H&S. Assist the Head Groom with organising part time staffing at weekends and identify potential sick cover and additional part time staffing for holiday cover. You may be required to provide occasional cover in the event of sickness, adverse weather, annual leave or special events. 
• Responsibility for routine treatment of horses when you are on duty e.g. farriery, worming, vaccination, clipping, liaising closely with the Head Groom/HoC. Complete appropriate records and ensure other grooms are informed of treatment carried out.
• Monitor use of feed, bedding and other consumables ensuring that the necessary paperwork is fully completed, liaising directly with the Head Groom and HoC. 
• Ensure that records, diaries and charts are completed and information is accurate and in sufficient detail. 
• To be responsible for the supervision of learners during stable duties sessions. To liaise with academic staff and yard staff to supervise students, including those learners with Additional Learning Needs and work-based learners. Be responsible for learners' health and safety, including the needs and competencies of young learners (14 -19 years).
• Liaise with the other grooms and the Head Groom regarding events occurring during your period on duty ensuring that all relevant information is logged in the diary. 
• Liaise with the other permanent grooms during the weekly handover period to agree on allocation of tasks e.g. horses coming in or leaving, specific jobs or activities which will require attention, and that the other groom and Head Groom are fully informed of incidents e.g. horse injuries and incidents.
• Liaise with contractors, ground support team, Campus Manager, caretakers, guests and visitors to the Equine Unit, ensuring that anything which would incur a cost has been pre-approved. Liaise with the Campus Office regarding bookings for the riding arenas to include preparation, maintenance and checks.  
• Monitor the appropriate use of the two arenas when hired out to various Equine Community groups. Ensure that the arena surfaces are prepared ready for use by those hiring the arenas and in a suitable condition for college use after the hiring. Ensure there is adequate equipment available for the community group to access to clean up throughout the day and that bins are provided and emptied.  Ensure college equipment on hire is made available and checked after use. Report any losses or damage or misuse to the Head Groom.  
• Contribute to Equine Team Meetings either in person or by forwarding relevant information to the Head Groom/ HoC 
• Liaise with horse owner/owners, after consultation with the Head Groom and record all communication with them. Ensure all necessary owner paperwork is completed and stored safely.
• Use initiative to support the Equine team to develop income generation activities and maximise use of the Equine facilities. 
• Contribute to the maintenance of accurate records of Equine Facilities utilisation. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Relevant industrial qualification/PC/BHS or willingness to complete one 
• Recent and relevant industrial experience 
• An appropriate level of physical fitness                                                                
• Ability and willingness to ride a variety of horses in walk, trot & canter
• British Horse Society Gold Membership        
• Good communicator with diplomacy and tact                                                      
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• Ability to work harmoniously with colleagues
• Ability to work independently                                                                         
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines 
• Willingness to undertake First Aid at Work Training
• Willingness to drive an ATV                                                 
• Current UK driving license

• Welsh Oracy (Listening/Speaking) - Level 0/1 Desirable
• Welsh Literacy (Writing/Reading) - Level 0/1 Desirable

Benefits

• You will receive 28 days holiday, plus bank holidays and five closure days which totals at 41 days holiday per year. You also receive an additional 4 days after 5 years service.
• Extremely generous pension scheme with employer contributions of 20%.
• Award-winning professional learning and development programme.  
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• Online and instore retail discounts