Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT) is headquartered in San Antonio, TX and serves more than 14,000 Girl Scouts (girls and adults) across twenty-one counties in southwest Texas. Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent leadership development organization for girls, building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts take the lead in bettering their communities and the world. Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWTX) serves more than 10,000 girls and nearly 4,000 adult volunteers in a 21-county jurisdiction. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is a collection of activities and experiences where girls earn badges, sell cookies, go on exciting trips, explore the outdoors, and participate in or lead take-action projects that make a difference. The GSLE empowers girls to discover their own world as they develop a strong sense of self and strengthen values, connect with others in a global community as girls form caring relationships, promote cooperation and embrace diversity, and take action in the world as girls identify and solve problems they care about.

We are currently looking for individuals to fill the following Summer Camp position at Camp La Jita. La Jita, meaning “precious possession”, was aptly chosen as the name for our resident camp on the beautiful Sabinal River near Utopia, Texas. Camp La Jita rests on 236 acres of Texas Hill Country land, one hour and twenty minutes west of San Antonio.

Position Title: Horseback Riding Director

Position Purpose: To further the camp’s mission through planning and delivering a horseback riding program that is safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ ages and abilities. Managing the physical operation of the horseback riding facilities and equipment.   

Essential Job Functions:

• Becomes acquainted with horses, equipment, facilities, and trails during pre-camp training.
• Develops a plan of work, involving the Horseback Riding Specialist, for feeding and caring of horses, and maintenance and care of equipment, corral, riding ring, and surrounding area.
• Reports serious injuries or illness, and necessary repairs or equipment needs to the Camp Director.
• Plans, schedules, and conducts the riding program with various activities, including instruction, ring practice, trail rides, and opportunities for girls to complete badge requirements. Plans for girls to progress from beginning and intermediate, to advanced riding program (special rides, meal rides, overnights, etc.)
• Instructs girls in program pertaining to riding: saddling, grooming, care of tack and tack room, medications, feeding and other instruction. Is prepared to offer an alternate program in case of rain.
• Coordinates riding activities with total camp program.
• Enforces local and state health and sanitation requirements/programs for campers, staff, and visitors.
• Ensures that accidents are reported to the nurse and that a first aid kit is maintained at corral.
• Supervises riding staff, distributing work fairly and allowing for time off as appropriate. Utilizes special skills of riding staff and other camp staff when possible.
• Keeps records of horses not ridden and why.
• Participates in all camp activities.
• Keeps records, makes reports, and keeps inventories of equipment.
• Participates in staff meetings as assigned.
• Assists with opening and closing of camp as related to the riding activities.
• Follows “Safety Wise” and adheres to the National and Council policies, procedures, and plans.
• Follows and adheres to National and Council policies, procedures, and plans.
• Acts as host/hostess for camp visitors and parents.
• Checks equipment and makes (or files for) repairs.
• Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned.
• Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp activities and camp functions.
• Assist in the planning of any special events. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Equipment Used: Summer horse herd comprises approximately 20 horses. Western Riding is the method taught at camp.  

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and does not constitute a contract.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 25 years of age or older.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to and from camp site.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check. 
• Ability to reside at the camp property for the duration of the camp season and occasionally live in non-air-conditioned spaces with other staff members.
• Must be able to attend and reside at the camp property during training sessions from May 27 - 30 and June 2 - 6, 2025.
• Must be able to work and reside at the camp property during the entire camp session from June 8th - July 26th, 2025 from 10:00 am Sunday morning until 6:00 pm the following Friday evening. On Saturday, July 26, the Director needs to stay until 12:30 p.m. when horses are picked up. Staff may stay on camp property over the weekend if necessary. (Camp will not be in session July 3-4, 2025).
• This position performs its duties indoors and in outdoor weather conditions. This position is exposed to outdoor weather conditions, requiring a tolerance to work in hot summer conditions.  Not all sleeping arrangements will be climate controlled.
• Prior supervision of a horseback riding program similar to the program at Camp La Jita.
• Must have a minimum of 3 years experience teaching horseback riding OR a riding instructor certification from the American Riding Instructor Association.
• Experience in supervising other horseback riding staff is desirable.
• Training and experience in horseback riding activities that are offered at the camp.
• Ability to schedule and supervise staff.
• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Ability to communicate and work with participating groups (all ages and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper and staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Some physical requirements of a Horseback Riding position could include endurance: sitting on a horse for extended time, some bending, stooping, and stretching.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate horse riding equipment and horseback riding activities.
• Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/program.
• Requires ability to lift up to 50 lbs.   

Work Environment:

• Willing to live in a camp setting and work irregular hours delivering riding programs to campers.
• Operate with daily exposure to sun and heat.

 General Information:

• GSSWT provides applicable trainings and certifications for hired staff.
• All meals and housing arrangements are covered by GSSWT for Overnight Camp positions.
• Compensation: $720 per week.
• Location: Utopia, TX 78884
• All staff are considered role models to all campers at GSSWT overnight camps and are expected to participate in camp activities such as all evening camp activities, meals in the lodge, evening camper supervision, and camp check in and check out.
• If selected for hire, a minimum of 3 references will be requested.

EOE