Description

• Are you experienced at working with horses in a safe and positive manner?
• Do you have the ability to foster positive working relationships?
• Are you dependable and committed to doing an excellent job?

If this sounds like you, the Montgomery County Department of Parks is the place you want to be! The Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner, is seeking a dedicated Park Police Assistant Barn Manager to work with the Montgomery County Department of Parks, Park Police Division in Silver Spring, MD.

Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery Parks system that hosts 419 parks and encompasses 37,768 acres, there is a robust team within the Park Police Division dedicated to protecting the park system and residents of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Learn more about the Montgomery County Park Police online at: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/park-police/

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Examples of Important Duties

Under general supervision, the Park Police Assistant Barn Manager is responsible for performing a full range of general and some skilled work in the daily upkeep and maintenance of the horses and barn facility within the Special Operations Section of the Montgomery County Park Police Division. Candidates should possess considerable equine skills (handling, medical emergencies, routine care) and should be confident handling large horses. Incumbent may be required to operate light automotive and motorized power equipment; use or operate a range of hand tools (e.g., hand saws, hammers, screwdrivers), power tools (e.g., drills, saws, sanders), motorized or power equipment (e.g., tractor and manure spreader), and operate light trucks with horse trailer.
The Assistant Barn Manager will work closely with sworn and non-sworn employees within the Special Operations Section to support community events, public safety efforts, and maintain the overall care and wellbeing of the police horses.

Horse Care / Grooming

• Ensures horses are fed and given adequate fresh water daily
• Brushes and/or bathes horses; bathing occurs as weather permits
• Cleans, picks, and inspects hooves daily for missing shoes, cracks, thrush, stones
• Maintains standards for horse muzzles, manes, ears, bridle paths, and coronet bands
• Prepares horses for patrol and details in a timely fashion; properly cleans and tacks horses as needed
• May assist police training staff with horse exercise and training, riding, groundwork, and lunging.

Routine and Emergency Medical Care for Horses

• Inspects horses daily for injuries including, but not limited to abrasions, lacerations, abscesses, lameness, or behavior issues.
• Administers medication and supplements as needed.
• Administers intermuscular injections, oral medications, and treatment when authorized by the supervisor
• Ensures wounds are cleaned, dressings are changed, and ointments applied when necessary

Barn Care and Maintenance

• Assists supervisor with proper pasture management and maintenance
• Keeps water troughs and automatic water dispensers clean, inside, and outside
• Keeps fencing intact and reports any broken or unsafe structures within pastures
• Stack small bales of hay and move large bales with tractor.
• Keeps barn, tack room, hanger, and surrounding areas clean and free of debris
• Keeps barn fixtures in good working condition; advises supervisor of broken fixtures/items

Equipment Maintenance

• Refills diesel containers and fills tractor as needed; reports all faulty equipment to supervisor.
• Keeps tack clean and serviceable; reports damaged tack to supervisor.
• Reports low inventory of barn supplies, horse feed/hay, medications to supervisor; coordinates the re-order of supplies

Administrative Tasks

• Oversees daily work assignments of seasonal barn staff as needed.
• Oversees duties for volunteers and other temporary workers.
• Picks up grain, medications, or other horse supplies as needed from local vendors.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Knowledge of standard procedures, tasks, and techniques for basic facility maintenance and custodial work.
• Problem Solving. Ability to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a problem.
• Communications Skills. Ability to understand verbal and written information (including facts, descriptions, and ideas) and to express such information so that others will understand.
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Must be dependable and punctual.
• Willingness to complete tasks/assignments in the absence of supervisor/manager.
• Great work ethic, openness to learning, and respect for animals is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of college experience preferred
• At least four (4) years’ experience working with horses; preferably in a lead role
• English as a primary language
• Must pass Park Police background check

Minimum Qualifications

• Pass Commission medical examination.
• 18 years of age.
• Two (2) years of experience in groundskeeping, building maintenance or park maintenance, semi-skilled trade work (HVACR, plumbing, painting, masonry, electrical, carpentry).
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total two (2) years.
• Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.

Supplemental Information

Class/Specification: Senior Parks/Facilities Maintenance Worker

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.