Specialized Instructor-Pony Camp & Horsemanship

POSITION TITLE: Specialized Instructor-Pony Camp & Horsemanship (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req8339
DEPARTMENT: Recreation
LOCATION: MARTINEZ FARM OFFICE
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
HOURLY RATE: $20.00 - 24.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 5/31/2026.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check required. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.
At the City, weare focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognizethat excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. Whenreviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge,skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimumqualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you toview your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that bestprepare you for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Summary: Instructors are responsible for supervision of children, planning, preparation and instruction of equine classes, camps and/ or programs for children and their guardians ages 2-15 years. Western riding techniques performed.

Essential Job Duties:

• Supervision of children

• Plans and instructs daily/weekly age-appropriate activities for children to include grooming, saddling, riding with a strong emphasis on safety.

• Responsible for the cleanup of arena, tack room and area.

• Greet children and parents in a friendly manner

• Responsible for checking children in and out of classes/camps

• Knowledge of children whereabouts at all time

• Must treat children with respect in all areas including discipline

• Represent the City in a positive, professional, and healthy manner.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

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, skill, and/or ability required.

• Works independently without direct supervision.

• Must be proficient in western riding, able to teach leading and riding skills to participants.

• Must be able to lead trail rides along a busy path.

• Must enjoy working with children, patient and flexible to meet the demands children require.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, participants, and the public.

• Communicates effectively in both oral and written form with external and internal customers

• Ability to show sensitivity with all age groups, persons with disabilities, and a diverse population.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Must have thorough knowledge of horses and riding, must display and be able to teach good riding techniques to children ages 3-15, and parents.

Minimum age 16

Education and Experience:
Western riding.

Language Skills: Must be able to communicate effectively with children, parents, staff and the general public. Must be able to effectively give directions to children between the ages of 3-15.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: 1st Aid/C.P.R. preferred

Physical Demands:

Must be able to: saddle horses, stand for up to 4 hours, lift up to 40 pounds, work in direct sunlight and extreme heat for extended periods of time, and ride a horse for up to 1 hour. Allergy conditions exist everywhere (farm animals, hay, grass, trees, etc.).

Work Environment:
Outdoors 100% of the time

Mental Demands:

Ability to be effective in an outdoor environment with other activities going on around you, must be able to define acceptable behavior and maintain order of the participants, must be patient.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

TheCity is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants andemployees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable lawsprohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not toleratebehavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment beingadversely impacted based on an employee's protected status, or anybehavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City's respect for the rights and dignity of each employee,the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free fromunlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination orharassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, nationalorigin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceivedsexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability,age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran statusor uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or anyother status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. Inaddition to the City's commitment to equal opportunity employment, theCity strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employeewho raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of governmenthealth or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of Cityemployees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditionsgiving rise to the threat or violation.

POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.