HARNESS HORSE YOUTH FOUNDATION Summer Programs Employment – General Information
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a not-for-profit organization. Each summer, HHYF travels with horses and equipment with a purpose of providing educational experiences to young people about Standardbred race horses. The programs include 1-, 3, and 5-day events.
As a summer employee, you will be expected to participate in all facets of the process. From registration to barn work to extracurricular activities, your enthusiasm, willingness to get involved, and to interact with the kids and horses are extremely important in making each event a success, both from the participants’ perspective as well as the organization’s. Responsibilities may include planning routes, setting up and tearing down of stable, stable management duties like scheduling farrier appointments and ordering feed, organizing horse-related race night activities, assisting with HRYL jogging, exercising the horses on off days, following HRYL safety procedures at all times, and other teaching as needed.
If hired, you will not have a regular schedule or days off. Given the format and the regular responsibilities of caring for horses, the job is continuous throughout the duration of employment. Of course, there will be time to do laundry and other basic tasks but actual free time is very limited. Days are long and hot; the work is fun but intense. On travel days, you may drive many hours to reach our next destination in time to set up and start the process again.
Compensation will be discussed at time of interview. All lodging expenses are paid by HHYF and meals are paid on a per diem basis.
Approximate length of employment – June 1 to August 15
HHYF summer employment is unique in that offers different aspects depending on your experience. If you are involved in harness racing currently, it offers the chance to see several racetracks and network with various people from horsemen to management personnel. If you have horse experience but not necessarily with harness racing, it offers the chance to learn about a totally new discipline as well as be exposed to possible career opportunities. As with any “job” or “internship” and no matter what your prior experience, you are bound to learn new things, will travel to interesting places, and have the opportunity to grow in your areas of interest.
If hired, you will need to submit your social security number so necessary background checks may be conducted. Assuming that these produce no areas of concern, you will then be “officially” hired as a member of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation Summer Program Team!
Deadline for applications is February 15 or until the position is filled. Every effort will be made to complete the hiring process no later than March 15. All applicants will be notified of his/her status after that date. For an application and more information, please visit: http://www.hhyf.org/employment.asp.
