Equestrian Summer Wrangler

Position Type: Summer Seasonal/Full-time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Compensation: $20.00 per hour

Location: Park City, Utah (on-site)

Join Our Team:

For more than 40 years, the National Ability Center has been breaking barriers and transforming lives through adaptive sports and recreation, providing people with disabilities the opportunity to experience adventure, independence, and community. Are you passionate about horses and inspired by the life-changing impact of therapeutic and adaptive riding? We are seeking two dedicated and experienced Wranglers to join our Equestrian team in beautiful Park City, Utah this summer.

Job Summary:

Equestrian Summer Wranglers work as part of the National Ability Center's Equestrian team to deliver safe, engaging, and high-quality equestrian programming within the summer camp setting. Responsibilities include teaching adaptive riding lessons, leading camp mounted and unmounted horsemanship activities, conducting trail rides, and supporting campers’ personal and social development through inclusive and adaptive experiences. This role blends instructional equestrian duties with traditional camp counselor responsibilities, emphasizing safety, fun, inclusion, and teamwork. This is a seasonal, full-time position (May–August) with possible extension into fall/winter based on program needs. The Equestrian Summer Wrangler schedule will include some weekends and may occasionally include evenings. This role is not eligible for remote work.

Essential Duties:

• Teach and assist with mounted and unmounted equestrian lessons and activities, including basic riding skills, grooming, stable management, and horsemanship.
• Work as part of a team to plan, organize, and facilitate adaptive camp and equestrian activities appropriate to participants’ ages and abilities.
• Provide a safe, caring, and inclusive environment for participants with disabilities.
• Facilitate personal growth, confidence, and connection for each participant through goal-oriented experiences.
• Document participant progress through daily notes, behavior plans, and incident documentation.
• Assist in the daily care and management of horses—feeding, grooming, tacking, stall cleaning, and schooling as appropriate.
• Follow established procedures for horse care, facility maintenance, and adaptive riding instruction.
• Implement and uphold safety and risk management protocols to ensure the well-being of participants, staff, volunteers, and horses.
• Foster teamwork between riders, staff, and volunteers.
• Assist with equipment setup, cleanup, and general equine chores.
• Attend and engage in all required training sessions and staff meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain prior to start.
• Availability for the full summer season, including required pre-season training (May–August).
• Pass a pre-employment background check.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We do not sponsor employment visas or other immigration processes to attain or maintain employment eligibility.

Preferred Qualifications:

• College coursework or degree in Recreation, Education, Equine Studies, or related field preferred. 
• Previous experience teaching group riding lessons or leading trail rides.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• PATH Intl. Registered Level Instructor certification (or desire to pursue).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple beginner riders safely in open-trail settings.
• Ability to ride and school a variety of horses (English, Western, and bareback) at walk, trot, and canter.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace, MS Office, and digital documentation tools.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of a variety of disabilities and adaptive teaching methods.
• Exceptional communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving, organizational, and leadership abilities.
• Ability to adapt programming to meet individual needs.
• Calm, patient, and flexible demeanor.
• Commitment to a positive, inclusive, and team-oriented work environment that promotes NAC’s Core Values.

Working Conditions:

• Physical ability to assist participants and handle horses safely.
• Ability to stand for long periods and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Willingness to work in outdoor settings, sometimes in extreme conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly and 75+ lbs occasionally (e.g., hay bales, adaptive equipment).
• Comfort working indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Benefits:

• Access to pro deals with outdoor gear companies.
• Working hours are eligible to count towards a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor of Riders with Disabilities certification. 
• Knowledge gained greatly educational for interest in obtaining PATH CTRI certification.