** The principal duties and responsibilities include:**

• Delivery of therapeutic coaching lessons in a timely, professional, effective and safe manner.
• Delivery of all lessons in accordance with Festina Lente’s guidelines
• Develop and implement achievable relevant Therapeutic Riding goals for each client (consultation with referral source may be required).
• Delivery of mainstream coaching lessons as required.
• Develop and implement achievable relevant riding goals for each client (private or group lessons)
• Maintain client records accurately in a timely manner as appropriate
• Select the appropriate tack and relevant equipment for both the coach and the rider
• Supervising and checking all tack and coaching equipment regularly
• Performing appropriate, correct and safe mounting and dismounting procedures
• Ensuring that all lessons begin and end on schedule
• Maintaining an environment ensuring volunteer safety that are assigned to you
• Communicating with the volunteers in a positive and respectful manner
• Requesting volunteer feedback and encouraging volunteer interaction on a regular basis
• Ensuring quality volunteer performance through ongoing training, evaluation and recognition
• Maintaining a neat arena and ensuring all relevant equipment is tidied away after sessions
• Engaging in ongoing training to ensure all coaching and therapeutic coaching skills are up to date
• Attending staff meetings and training as required
• Building and maintaining excellent working relationships with colleagues and clients
• Research and develop new ideas for lesson plans
• Liaising with the Riding School Manager to ensure ongoing quality of lessons
• Complying with the Health and Safety requirements of the organisation
• This job description is not exhaustive and other duties may be assigned from time to time in accordance with the needs of the service. This job description may be revised to take account of changing circumstances or requirements

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Must enjoy working with children, teenagers and adults of all learning abilities and styles
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to adapt communication styles to suit the needs of individual riders
• An ability to maintain calm and composed in a busy and demanding environment
• An ability to multitask and adapt to change as a feature of the working day
• High level of energy and an ability to sustain a very active role
• Confidence in one’s own strengths and ability
• Self-motivated with excellent leadership skills
• Willingness to learn and an openness to alternative approaches
• An ability to respond professionally and patiently to behaviours that challenge
• Highly organised, with a high level of concentration and attention
• Committed to working hard
• Proven ability to work on own initiative within a flexible, co-operative team structure
• Solution focused
• Committed to on-going self and professional development

Please Note:

The Interview will consist of two parts: The formal and first part of the interview will consist of a panel interview and the second part will be a practical assessment of your horsemanship skills/coaching and therapeutic coaching skills. The profile of the riders will be forwarded to you in advance.

Both parts are likely to take approximately 1 ½ hours

Please dress appropriately for the coaching session. This clothing will be acceptable for the formal interview also. ** SELECTION PROCESS**

Only applications received on the relevant application form will be considered. Applicants who do not fulfil the criteria as specified will not be considered. Selection will involve short listing of applicants for interview based on the criteria for the position as outlined in this job description.

Enquire on application

FESTINA LENTE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY / GARDA VETTING / MANDATORY DECLARATION Garda Vetting for all employees and volunteers is compulsory and those candidates invited for interview will be asked to complete a Garda Vetting procedure online. A file may be formed for future vacancies. Festina Lente is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes suitably qualified applicants from all sections of society