Graduate Assistant, Equine Studies

REPORTS TO: DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EQUINE STUDIES STATUS: PART-TIME, EXEMPT

Lake Erie College, a small, co-educational, four-year, independent liberal arts college located in Painesville, Ohio, 30 miles east of Cleveland, is seeking a graduate assistant to work in the School of Equine Studies. The graduate assistant works with the dean, undergraduate students, faculty, staff, vendors and amateur and professional horsemen in their duties in event and office management. The graduate assistant is expected to be present during a variety of riding and College event activities, including a large number of weekends. This is a 12-month appointment, each year, for two consecutive years.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Works with show manager or as assistant to the show manager for all non-intercollegiate horse shows and events:

  • Oversees horse show and event planning, operations, and management from beginning to end.

  • On-site management of events and horse shows. Weekends and long horse show days are required. 

  • Prepares and publishes prize lists and programs.

  • Purchases ribbons and prizes for shows.

  • Assists in coordinating donations, sponsorships, and advertising for Prix de Villes and other shows.

  • Prepares facility and equipment needs lists for jumps, flowers, dressage ring, drag times, concessions, etc. 

  • Maintains inventory of show equipment, jumps, cups, flowers, flags, bridle numbers, and back numbers.

  • Assists in hiring and issuing contracts for show manager, secretary, judges, other officials, and EMTs.

  • Documents and reviews cash flows and prepares deposits of all funds received.

  • Prepares and updates profit and loss statements for all horse shows.

  • Supervises Saturday or Sunday morning rec riding up to two times a month. 

  • Assists the dean of Equine Studies with all operations and management of the EQ department, including but not limited to management of student-required forms, EQ expense spreadsheets, accident reports, check requests, and other office tasks, as needed.

  • Provides weekend support during equine events, such as horse shows, open campus days, recruiting events, student orientations, clinics and symposiums, and recreational riding for students enrolled in credit riding lessons. 

  • Files appropriate paperwork as required, including check requests and contracts for event officials. 

  • Obtains and maintains approval to drive College-owned vans; a valid driver’s license is required at all times. 

  • Teaching assistant duties for one class each semester, as assigned by the dean. 

  • Other duties as assigned by the dean of the School of Equine Studies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Acceptance into a Lake Erie College graduate program. 

  • Excellent communication and writing skills. 

  • Ability to work with undergraduate students and other stakeholders in a confidential, professional and courteous manner in a busy work environment.  

  • High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office, with very strong skills with Excel and Word. 

  • Highly detail-oriented and capable of completing tasks without supervision. 

  • Entry-level knowledge of horse show management (hunter/jumper, dressage or both). 

  • Experience with and a high level of knowledge of horses is expected.

  • A high level of experience with horses is required. Bachelor’s degree in equine studies is preferred. 

APPLICATION PROCESS:      

Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and three professional references either (1) via email to humanresources@lec.edu, (2) online at www.lec.edu/employment-at-lec/ or (3) to graduate assistant, equine studies Search, Lake Erie College, 391 W. Washington St., LEC Box 358, Painesville, OH 44077. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Subject to a criminal background check prior to employment. Learn more at https://www.lec.edu/employment-at-lec/. EOE