Heartland Girls Ranch is located in Benson, MN approximately 150 miles from the Twin Cities and 30 miles west of Willmar, MN. Founded in 1992, HGR is licensed by the MN Department of Corrections to work with girls, ages 12-21 years of age; and on average, serves 65-75 girls each year. HGR is a group home that provides housing, supportive services, mental health support, therapeutic equine programming and a dedicated school for the girls in our program. Girls referred to HGR are considered at-risk or have been victims of sex trafficking, sexual /physical/verbal abuse and/or are dealing with a variety of emotional, behavioral and mental health issues. HGR has capacity of 24 beds in the main facility and 10 beds in the HFF House.

Our Motto: “Healing Youth and Building Lives through Success” signifies our commitment to providing a safe place for
girls to experience success.

Position Title: Horse Program Director
Position Type: Full Time + benefits
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Other Contacts: Residents, Staff, Family Members, Guardians, County Workers, Attorneys, School Personnel, Therapist, Community Members, Veterinarians and other equine health practitioners.

Summary: The Horse Program Director is responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of all the organization’s Equine programs in accordance with the standards set out by the organization, its funders and licensing. As a member of the senior management team, the Horse Program Director participates in strategic planning and program budgeting initiatives in addition to problem solving. He/she will assist with the development of effective program planning and
implementation and provide direct supervision and support to Horse Program staff.

Philosophy: All staff are responsible for knowing and carrying out the philosophy and purpose of the Heartland Girls Ranch as determined by the Board of Directors. This includes developing a functional strength-based relationship with residents and helping to foster an environment that encourages high quality experiential learning that encourages and nurtures girls, providing opportunities to gain self-esteem through experiencing success and facing consequences for their own individual choices.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
 Responsible for ensuring the Horse Programs is in accordance with the standards set out by Heartland Girls’ Ranch, its funders and licensing.
 Responsible for the development, implementation, tracking and evaluation of all Horse Program goals, objectives, activities and outcomes and tracks all resident and horse activities and services creating regular reports.
 Responsible for ensuring compliance with HGR’s horse insurance policy and procedure, including the completion of renewal paperwork, reporting herd statistics and incidents, and following all recommendations set by the
insurance company.
 Responsible to monitor all client activity to ensure compliance with HGR procedures and rules regarding health and safety. Including the ability to supervise and train residents and staff on horsemanship and other areas of need, the ability to observe, manage and record resident behavior and the ability to de-escalate and control resident behavior using the least amount of force necessary.
 Responsible to assist residents in their efforts to reach their individual goals and program expectations and to work within a team treatment process, to report progress as needed by communicating with program staff
regarding residents development and progress in the horse program and through collaboration with the Program Director and Chief Executive Officer.
 Responsible to use strength based and trauma informed techniques and recognize natural situations as they occur as an opportunity for the residents’ learning and growth.
 Meets monthly with the CEO for communicating budget information.
 Responsible for developing and managing the Horse Program budget.
 Will meet at least monthly with the CEO to communicate budget expenditures and needs.
 Responsible to purchase, research, and evaluate the horses, equipment and tack and program supplies.
 Responsible for the maintenance and security of the arenas, tack area and barn office.
 Responsible for the care, upkeep, nutritional and medical needs of the horses, and dispensing horse medications as labeled or directed by a veterinarian.
 Responsible to manage all equine activities in a therapeutic manner, ensuring that riding is offered regularly, Certified Horseman Association lessons given, horse shows are planned, and to coordinate and create volunteer opportunities and other horse activities with staff and the community.
 Responsible to plan and organize Equine Activities in a manner that consistently shows consideration for the health and safety of clients, horses, staff, and the public and to be familiar with emergency procedures for fire,
medical, behavioral problems, or other emergencies.
 Responsible to supervise the Horse Program Assistants and Barn Assistants, providing on-going supervision and conducting annual performance reviews.
 Responsible to work with the CEO to increase earned income potential and additional fundraising revenue.
 Responsible to provide leadership and strategic planning to expand and enhance the existing Horse Program and services for the future.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

 Required to attend weekly staff/supervisor meetings.
 Required to attend quarterly staff meetings.
 Monitor all residents’ activity to ensure compliance with HGR policies and procedures regarding health and safety.
 Responsible for monitoring residents for illness and injury and following proper procedures in caring for and reporting these to the nurse or supervisor.
 May also be responsible for transporting residents to and from medical appointments.
 Responsible for being knowledgeable about each residents' Individual Treatment Plan and goals, and for documenting all progress on goals and expectations in a timely and accurate manner. This Includes completing all required documentation such as logging, grading, and special incidents.
 Responsible for ensuring the barn is maintained in a neat, clean and safe fashion and will do his/her part in maintaining the barn and ensuring that the residents do their part in keeping the barn and grounds in a neat, clean and safe manner.
 Responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries and balanced relationships with all residents and staff at HGR.
 Staff is responsible for maintaining a functional positive relationship with parents, schools, employers and social service agencies.
 If designated, staff is responsible to meet the dietary needs of the residents, by ensuring that they have well balanced, nutritious, well prepared meals that meet the individual’s dietary restrictions and needs. Staff is responsible to follow the pre-prepared menu.
 Staff are expected to turn in and accurately log their hours of work.
 Staff are expected to be on time and to work their entire shift. Staff are to monitor their overtime and only work overtime that has been approved by their direct supervisor.
 Other responsibilities assigned.

Additional Requirements (HGR will train as appropriate):
 Responsible for attending in-service, workshops and continuing education to complete 24 hours yearly, being CPR and First Aid certified and participate in restraint and medication training as required.
 Driver's License and ability to transport residents in an HGR vehicle.
 Staff is responsible for ensuring that the confidentiality of all residents, guardians and family members are respected and kept.
 Responsible for being knowledgeable of the Minnesota Department of Corrections licensing rules and to meet the requirements for the program and for expectations of programming (will train).
 Responsible for knowing, following and ensuring implementation of all regulations under which Heartland Ranch are governed. Specifically the Maltreatment of Minors Act, Physical Restraint and Children’s Residential Facilities Chapter
2960 (will train).
 Responsible for ensuring that the resident’s rights to confidentiality are protected as determined by the Minnesota Data Practices Act (will train).
 All employees of Heartland Ranch are mandated reporters. Staff will follow all procedures for mandated reporting in a professional, timely, and accurate way. Staff are expected to have a sound knowledge of what is required by being a mandated reporter and will adhere to these requirements (will train).
 Staff are expected to act professionally at the Ranch and in the community and to present themselves in a neat, clean and well-maintained manner.

Qualifications:
 Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in equine studies, corrections, psychology, sociology, or related field or 4 years combined college coursework and experience.
 At least 3 years equine experience, which could include: providing lessons and barn or herd management.
 3 years of management experience in the human services and/or Equine field is preferred.
 Ability to communicate with, motivate, instruct, guide and counsel individuals who are considered at-risk and challenging.
 Ability to effectively communicate and engage volunteers, residents, partners, and community members and effectively promote the Heartland Girls Ranch in a positive light to the community, agencies and the courts.
 Ability to coordinate and supervise staff and the overall operations of the HGR program.
 Ability to communicate clearly and effectively through verbal and written methods.
 Ability to manage an assaultive or physically aggressive resident (with training provided) if the need arises and the ability to be certified and maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
 Ability to motivate people and maintain functional positive working relationships with co-workers by using strength- based approaches and modeling appropriate problem solving skills.
 Ability to work outside in varying temperatures year round and to be on your feet for long periods of time.
 Knowledge of word processing programs and basic Microsoft Office programs.
 Desire and ability to set personal goals to improve on ones self, including a priority for self-care.