Employment

Nookside at a glance

Nookside Stables is a LLC, owned and operated by Don and Kathy Hess. Nookside Adventure markets to both Lancaster County tourists and the local community.

Nookside offers Adventure Rides, Summer Day Camp and Pony Parties.

Excellent customer service and people skills are required in order to give Nookside customers an outstanding horseback riding experience.

Dutch Wonderland Pony Guide

Our Goals

 Customers: The customer always comes first! We want to make sure they have a great experience and hope to return. Our goal is to give them an enjoyable ride and a fun experience.

 Ponies: We always want our ponies to be healthy and happy. It’s your job to make sure the ponies are well taken care of and loved every day.

 Teamwork: A great work atmosphere involves great teamwork. You must be willing to work with others and create a good work atmosphere so work is enjoyable for all. This is a drama free job and we will expect drama to be left outside the gates.

 AM Feed (7AM-12PM): Your job as an AM feeder is to be on time in order to feed and water the horses, clean their stalls, help wash horses (if needed), groom and tack horses prior to opening and help as a guide after opening.

 Pony Guide: Shifts vary from 9AM-7PM.

 Your job as a pony guide is to help get the child on the pony and lead the ponies around the designated path twice.

 It is important to remember you will be on your feet a lot so wearing good shoes is very important.

 Closing Pony Guide: This shift will include walking as well as helping to untack and feed the ponies before they are put away. This will also include grooming the ponies and hosing off the ponies if it is a hot day.

Pony guides may also be cross-trained to work up front with customers if eligible.

Position Expectations

  1. All employees will be given Nookside t-shirts to wear.
  2. If an employee shows up without his/her t-shirt, they will be required to buy one to wear so they are in Nookside gear as required in order to work that day.
  3. The shirt may not be altered in any way!
  4. You must wear jeans and closed toed boots of some sort.
  5. As an employee of Nookside, you are expected to show up to work on time with a positive attitude at all times.
  6. If you are running late please notify the manager on duty as soon as possible.
  7. If you for some reason need to call off last minute, you are responsible for finding a replacement for your shift and notifying the shift manager ASAP!
  8. If you need a day off and did not request off you are responsible for finding coverage. If no coverage can be found you must report for your shift as scheduled.

Interested in working at Nookside?

Simply fill out the form below and we will contact you if we are interested in setting up an interview. If you would rather fill out a detailed application, download the PDF below and bring it by during our hours of operation or email it to info@nookside.com. Thank you!

Download PDF: Nookside Application

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Number (required)

    How Old Are You?

    Do you have a valid drivers license?

    What experiences do you have that would qualify you for a position?

    What days and times are you available to work?

    What hourly wage are you expecting?

    Do you have any relevant training or certifications?

    Please list your three most recent places of employment and how long you worked for each

    What do you feel is the greatest strength you could offer our team?

    Trail Guide/ Groom

    Hours:  

    Applicant must possess these qualifications:  

    • Organization skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Ability to lift 50-100 pounds
    • Willingness to work as a team member
    • 3-5 years hands-on experience with horses
    • Knowledge and understanding of basic computer software
    • Ability to assess basic horse health
    • Be available for after –hours emergencies as needed
    • Ability to provide a positive representation of Nookside, LLC on and off the job
    • 2 Letters of Recommendation
    • 2 Current Job References
    • Ability to minister to the needs of others

    Hourly Rate/Salary:

    Supervision:  Barn Manager and Assistant Barn Manager

    Areas of Responsibility

    NOTE:  Areas of Responsibility include but are not limited to the following:

     Provide Stable & Barn Management Assistance as needed in the following areas:

    1. Practicing safe horse management at all times, setting a good example for all staff members and customers
    2. Maintaining all horse tack & horse equipment
    3. Keeping all areas of barn and barn aisle clean & uncluttered
    4. Keeping Hay Loft clean & uncluttered
    5. Collecting/burning trash as necessary
    6. Cleaning stalls as necessary
    7. Maintaining and sanitizing automatic waterers
    8. Cleaning stalls in main barn
    9. Cleaning sheds as necessary
    10. Cleaning Restroom as necessary
    11. Storing hay as necessary
    12. Replenishing grain/pellets as necessary
    13. Replenishing shavings as necessary
    14. Feeding barn cats as necessary
    15. Communicating openly with Barn Manager and Assistant Barn Manager as necessary
    16. Attending group meetings as required
    17. Reporting accident/behavioral incidents as necessary to Barn Manager and  Assistant Barn Manager
    18. Stalling and/or pasturing horses according to weather
    19. Move and/or collect horses to and from barn and pastures

     Provide Adventure Ride Customer Service Assistance:

    1. Maintaining Nookside horses to respond to the needs and safety of Nookside Adventure riders
    2. Tacking up and riding horses competently
    3. Harnessing and driving horses competently
    4. Booking Adventure Rides
    5. Checking in Adventure Ride customers
    6. Driving the tractor and wagon to the Adventure Barn
    7. Matching Adventure Ride horses to customers according to weight and experience
    8. Lining up Adventure Ride horses safely
    9. Teaching basic Adventure Ride skills to customers
    10. Leading Adventure Ride customers through the obstacle course
    11. Communicating the Nookside testimony to customers

     Provide Pasture Management & Grounds-keeping Assistance:

    1. Monitoring pastures for mowing; communicate with Don or Harold
    2. Repairing fencing as necessary
    3. Keeping equipment on paths or only on grass along fence lines.
    4. Washing RTV on a weekly basis
    5. Wiping down tractor and wagon on a daily basis
    6. Maintaining hay feeders in pastures
    7. Kid’s Camp

    Trail Guide/Groom Assistant

    Hours:  

    Applicant must possess these qualifications:  

    • Organization skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Ability to lift 50-100 pounds
    • Willingness to work as a team member
    • 3-5 years hands-on experience with horses
    • Knowledge and understanding of basic computer software
    • Ability to assess basic horse health
    • Be available for after –hours emergencies as needed
    • Ability to provide a positive representation of Nookside, LLC on and off the job
    • 2 Letters of Recommendation
    • 2 Current Job References
    • Ability to minister to the needs of others

    Hourly Rate/Salary:

    Supervision:  Barn Manager and Assistant Barn Manager and Trail Guide/Groom

    Trail Guide Groom Assistant

    Areas of Responsibility

    NOTE:  Areas of Responsibility include but are not limited to the following:

     Provide Stable & Barn Management Assistance as needed in the following areas:

    1. Practicing safe horse management at all times, setting a good example for all staff members and customers
    2. Maintaining all horse tack & horse equipment
    3. Keeping all areas of barn and barn aisle clean & uncluttered
    4. Keeping Hay Loft clean & uncluttered
    5. Collecting/burning trash as necessary
    6. Cleaning stalls as necessary
    7. Maintaining and sanitizing automatic waterers
    8. Cleaning stalls in main barn
    9. Cleaning sheds as necessary
    10. Cleaning Restroom as necessary
    11. Storing hay as necessary
    12. Replenishing grain/pellets as necessary
    13. Replenishing shavings as necessary
    14. Feeding barn cats as necessary
    15. Communicating openly with Barn Manager and Assistant Barn Manager as necessary
    16. Attending group meetings as required
    17. Reporting accident/behavioral incidents as necessary to Barn Manager and  Assistant Barn Manager
    18. Stalling and/or pasturing horses according to weather
    19. Move and/or collect horses to and from barn and pastures

    Provide Adventure Ride Customer Service Assistance:

    1. Maintaining Nookside horses to respond to the needs and safety of Nookside Adventure riders
    2. Tacking up and riding horses competently
    3. Harnessing and driving horses competently
    4. Booking Adventure Rides
    5. Checking in Adventure Ride customers
    6. Driving the tractor and wagon to the Adventure Barn
    7. Teaching basic Adventure Ride skills to customers
    8. Assisting Adventure Ride customers through the obstacle course
    9. Taking photos as requested

     Provide Pasture Management & Grounds-keeping Assistance:

    1. Repairing fencing as necessary
    2. Keeping equipment on paths or only on grass along fence lines.
    3. Washing RTV on a weekly basis
    4. Wiping down tractor and wagon on a daily basis
    5. Maintaining hay feeders in pastures
    6. Kid’s Camp

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