Animal Care Taker Coordinator

Founded in 1950, Ray Graham Association (RGA) empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach, grow, and achieve. Through innovative, person-centered services, RGA supports children and adults across DuPage County and surrounding communities.

Our Therapeutic Horsemanship Program provides life-changing equine-assisted services that promote independence, confidence, and personal growth. We are seeking an experienced and passionate Animal Care Coordinator to lead the daily care of our therapy animals while supervising stable operations and supporting a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Under the direction of the Horsemanship Program Administrator, the Animal Care Coordinator supervises Animal Care Team Members, oversees all stable operations including animal care and barn maintenance, and coordinates volunteers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of barn operations.

This leadership position ensures the health, safety, and well-being of all program animals while maintaining a safe, organized, and welcoming environment for participants, families, volunteers, staff, and community partners. This position may require evenings, weekends, holidays, local travel, and participation in an on‑call rotation to respond to animal or facility emergencies.

• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Ray Graham Association's mission, vision, and values.
• Foster respectful, person‑centered interactions with participants, families, volunteers, coworkers, and community partners.
• Provide daily leadership, coaching, mentorship, and supervision to Animal Care Team Members.
• Ensure agency policies, procedures, and safety standards are consistently followed.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and welcoming environment throughout the Therapeutic Horsemanship Program.
• Support collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the animal care team.

• Develop, maintain, and oversee feeding schedules, supplements, medications, and turnout schedules.
• Monitor horses and other program animals for illness, injury, lameness, or behavioral concerns.
• Communicate health concerns promptly to the Horsemanship Program Administrator.
• Schedule and coordinate veterinary, farrier, equine dental, chiropractic, and other professional care appointments.
• Respond to animal and barn emergencies as first responder.
• Exercise, condition, and work horses as directed.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate Animal Care Team Members.
• Lead onboarding and ongoing development of animal care staff.
• Serve as the operational lead for stable operations in the absence of the Horsemanship Program Administrator.
• Provide recommendations regarding herd management, horse acquisition, retirement, and utilization.
• Oversee the daily care of all program animals including horses, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, cats, and other assigned animals.
• Prepare and handle therapy animals for Hummingbird Therapy sessions and approved partnerships.
• Maintain accurate records for animal care, medications, veterinary visits, feeding schedules, and facility maintenance.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation and respond to emergencies as required.

• Ensure barns, arenas, paddocks, fencing, gates, shelters, watering systems, and equipment remain safe and functional.
• Maintain clean, organized, and welcoming animal care facilities.
• Assess tack and equipment for proper fit, safety, maintenance, and replacement needs.
• Coordinate acceptance and evaluation of donated tack and equipment.
• Oversee deep cleaning of barns, stalls, and animal care areas.
• Maintain inventory of hay, bedding, grain, veterinary supplies, and barn materials.
• Groom and maintain arenas, trails, paddocks, and outdoor facilities.
• Promote best practices in animal welfare, biosecurity, safety, and risk management.

• Support therapeutic riding lessons, unmounted programming, special events, recreational activities, and participant experiences as needed.
• Serve as an animal handler during lessons, therapy sessions, outreach activities, and community events.
• Assist with volunteer…