Sweet Briar College is a women’s liberal arts institution, located in Central Virginia approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 60 miles south of Charlottesville. Founded in 1901, the college’s curriculum encompasses a comprehensive baccalaureate program in the arts, sciences, and humanities, as well as graduate programs in education. It is one of two women colleges in the United States offering an ABET-accredited engineering degree. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sweet Briar College is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who would increase the diversity of the College.
Job Title: Instructor in Riding
Classification: Exempt, Full time
Reports To: Director of the Riding Program
Job Summary/Objective: Teach beginners through advanced level riders in the American hunter and jumper system. Experience with coaching students in both Collegiate and open competitions as well as riding and training hunters and jumpers is highly desirable. Ride and re-school horses as needed.
Position Type/Expected Work Hours: 12-month faculty position that will include weekend responsibilities.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Responsible for supervising and coaching at home and away, including occasional overnights for activities.
Essential Responsibilities:
Teaching 4-6 classes per session each semester
Coach Students focused on showing in the hunters/equitation and jumper ring.
Organize, help run, and coach students at several on and off-campus competitions
Organize entries, stalls, hotels, and transportation of horses and students to away shows.
Care for horses and students at away shows.
Transport horses and students to shows.
Riding and re-schooling horses as needed and riding privately owned horses over holiday breaks
Care for the horses, facilities, setting courses, and setting up teaching stations
On-call and night turnout duties as assigned
Supervise some evenings of night turnout and barn closedown.
Drive the shuttle to transport students to and from the riding center for classes, work, and independent rides.
Required Qualifications:
Ability to teach group lessons, ride and train hunters/jumpers and safely train students and horses to be prepared to show
Experience coaching students in competitions as well as riding and training hunters and jumpers
Bachelors degree
Strong teaching experience
Valid drivers license and insurability
Preferred Qualifications:
Showing experience in collegiate and USEF rated competitions
Prior experience coaching students in both Collegiate and open competitions, as well as riding and training hunters and jumpers, is highly desirable
ANRC background, USHJA Trainer Certification/Instructor Credentialing, and USEF Judges cards are a plus
Experience driving a gooseneck truck and 6 horse trailer
Work Environment: Work outside in all weather conditions, hot and cold temperatures, dirt, bugs, rain, snow, and dust.
Physical Demands: Stand for hours teaching and coaching. Ability to ride and handle challenging mounts of all temperaments for up to 4-5 hours per day. Ability to lift and carry at least 50 pounds. Lift and carry jump standards, boxes, poles, and gates. Extended periods of sitting/standing/walking may be required. Drive a truck and trailer. Load and unload equipment and feed/hay. Ability to be outside all day for competitions in all weather conditions.
Travel: Travel to away competitions, including occasional overnight stays and hauling horses as needed.
Recruiting: Give tours, correspond with prospective students, attend recruiting events on and off-campus. Several weekend events.
Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
