Groom/Yard Assistant
Groom/Yard Assistant
Are you passionate about horse care and looking to work in a dynamic educational environment? We are seeking a dedicated Groom/Yard Assistant to join our team.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day care of approximately 14 horses, supporting full-time, part-time and work-based learners, and maintaining the yard and arenas to British Horse Society (BHS) Examination Centre standards.
Key Responsibilities
The Groom/Yard Assistant will be expected to:
- 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
- Carry out any other duties as directed by the Principal/Chief Executive commensurate with the grade of the post at the initial place of work or other locations within the College
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
Essential Criteria:
- 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
- Good communicator with diplomacy and tact
- Good interpersonal and organisational skills
- Ability to work harmoniously with colleagues
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- British Horse Society Gold Membership
- Willingness to undertake First Aid at Work Training
- Willingness to drive an ATV
- Current UK driving license
Welsh Language Requirements:
- Welsh Oracy (Listening/Speaking) - Level 0/1 Desirable
- Welsh Literacy (Writing/Reading) - Level 0/1 Desirable
(See detailed language descriptions attached)
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
About Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion
Coleg Sir Gâr was created in 1985 and became a corporate institution in 1993. In 2013 it became Coleg Sir Gar Ltd, a company within the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David Group, and part of a regional Dual Sector University. The College has an annual turnover of over £35m and employs around 800 staff.
Coleg Ceredigion was created in 1985 and became a corporate institution in 1993. The college merged with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David as a subsidiary company in 2014. The college has an annual turnover of £6m and employs around 180 staff.
Coleg Ceredigion was created in 1985 and became a corporate institution in 1993. The college merged with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David as a subsidiary company in 2014. The college has an annual turnover of £6m and employs around 180 staff.
The College is based in South West Wales and has seven main campuses at Llanelli (Graig), Carmarthen (Pibwrlwyd and Jobs Well), Ammanford, Llandeilo (Gelli Aur), Aberystwyth and Cardigan. The College is also home to Carmarthen School of Art which has its origins dating back to 1854.
Inspiring Learners
Fulfilling Potential
Achieving Excellence
Fulfilling Potential
Achieving Excellence
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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
At Coleg Sir Gar & Coleg Ceredigion, we inspire learners to fulfil potential and achieve excellence. To do this, we need the best employees to continue our culture of respect, unity and professionalism. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and therefore welcome applications from all backgrounds and areas of the community to the college.
Visit our dedicated page to find out more.
Disability Confident
Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion are proud to be a disability confident employer. As a result, we ensure our recruitment process is fully inclusive and accessible to all, communicate and promote all opportunities, anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments, support existing employees who acquire a disability or long term health condition to stay in work, and offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Our Hiring Process
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