Careers

CAREERS

Join the New Vocations Team!

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program takes pride in creating an environment where our team can thrive while carrying out our vision to lead the way in racehorse aftercare. We are a group of driven overachievers who are passionate about horses and racehorse aftercare. New Vocations offers the autonomy and flexibility to create a career path that is rewarding for each of our team members with dynamic roles to fit individual skills and passions.

If you are interested in applying for any of the job openings below, please fill out an application by clicking the "apply here" button below, and we will be in touch.

Come be part of our team and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of horses!

Accounting Manager (Part Time) - Lexington, KY

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New Vocations is seeking an experienced CPA to serve as the organization’s part-time Accounting & HR Manager and internal owner of the finance function. This position leads nonprofit accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, cash-flow analysis, internal controls, and audit and tax coordination. The Manager partners closely with the Executive Director and Board and supervises the Accounting & HR Specialist, who handles routine bookkeeping, HR administration, and day-to-day Paylocity administration.

The role also provides management-level oversight of payroll, employee benefits, human resources, and organizational compliance. The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between detailed accounting work, financial analysis, staff supervision, and sensitive HR matters in a small, mission-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities

Own the general ledger and perform monthly and year-end close in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting requirements
Monitor cash balances and support banking, investment and cash-management activities
Prepare and review monthly financial statements, Board reporting, annual budgets, cash-flow projections, budget-to-actual analysis, and other ad-hoc reporting as requested
Maintain accounting for restricted funds, grants, investments, accruals, payroll, and other significant accounts
Perform monthly bank, credit card and other balance sheet account reconciliations
Review accounts payable and receivable, charitable contribution records, and routine bookkeeping prepared by staff
Maintain effective financial policies, internal controls and compliance practices
Coordinate the annual audit, Form 990, tax filings, and other required external financial and regulatory reporting
Advise the Executive Director and Board on financial performance, trends, risks and recommended actions
Supervise, train and review the work of the Accounting & HR Specialist
Oversee payroll, benefits, workers' compensation, personnel records, HRIS administration and controls, and employment-related compliance
Advise leadership on employee relations, policy interpretation, performance management, corrective action, leave and accommodation matters, and employee separations, coordinating with external legal counsel where needed
Oversee recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, employee policies, staff training, compensation review, insurance and licensing renewals, vendors, and other selected administrative functions

Position Details

Schedule: Approximately 15-30 hours per week

Remote: No

Status: Part-time, non-exempt

Compensation: Hourly wage commensurate with experience

Benefits: Part-time employees are not eligible for health benefits or paid time off; however, flex schedules may be discussed and

all employees are eligible for SIMPLE IRA Plus retirement plan with company match after two consecutive years

Qualifications

Active Certified Public Accountant license preferred; Minimum bachelor’s degree in business or accounting
Minimum of five years of accounting experience including general ledger management, month-end close and financial statement preparation
Experience in nonprofit accounting, including restricted funds, grants and audit preparation strongly preferred
Familiarity with the equine industry strongly preferred
Ability to research, analyze, and retrieve data necessary to complete duties
Proficiency in QuickBooks Online, Excel and other Microsoft Office Suite programs
Experience with payroll or human resources information system platforms; Paylocity experience preferred
Strong systems and database knowledge and demonstrated ability to independently learn software
Familiarity with local, state and federal employment related laws
Experience overseeing payroll, benefits, HR administration, or related employment processes
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work with a wide range of personalities and manage conflict in a professional, productive manner
Experience supervising or reviewing the work of staff
Skilled at managing time and multiple priorities to carry out assignments in a timely and thorough manner
Commitment to professional and ethical standards
Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality

Rider (Part-Time) - Lexington, KY

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New Vocations accepts barn staff/rider applications year-round for our Lexington, KY facility. Because staffing needs change throughout the year, we may not always have an immediate opening at the time you apply. Applications are kept on file and reviewed as positions become available. Due to the volume of interest and fluctuating hiring needs, we may only contact applicants whose qualifications match a current opening. If you do not hear from us right away, please know that your application may still be under consideration for future opportunities.

Riders report to the Kentucky Facility Trainer and are responsible for daily riding, conditioning, and training to prepare each horse for a successful transition into second careers and adoptive homes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Performs duties related to the care of 60+ horses including, but not limited to, the following:

Ride or exercise assigned horses according to the New Vocations' retraining program and individual horse needs
Assess horses' abilities, temperament, and progress to help determine suitable post-racing careers
Work collaboratively with trainers, barn staff and management to ensure consistent care and training approaches
Maintain accurate training notes and progress updates in the program database
Assist in evaluating new arrivals and developing individualized retraining plans
Handle horses safely on the ground, including leading, grooming, tacking, bathing and assisting with veterinary or farrier appointments, as needed
Participate in photo/video sessions and adoption appointments
Communicate observations about each horses' health, soundness, or behavioral changes promptly to management
Support facility operations and team needs as assinged (e.g., turnout, feeding or general barn tasks when needed)

Qualifications:

Minimum 3 years of riding experience with green horses, preferably including off-track Thoroughbreds
Strong understanding of flatwork, basic dressage, and/or jumping principles
Ability to handle a variety of equine temperaments confidently and safely
Commitment to humane, patient and ethical horsemanship
Physical ability to ride multiple horses daily and perform related barn duties that involve lifting up to 50 pounds
Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
Reliable transportation and valid driver's license required
Team-oriented attitude and effective communication skills

Preferred:

Experience retraining off-track racehorses or working in a professional training environment
Familiarity with adoption or equine rescue operations
Basic knowledge of soundness evaluation, conditioning and equine nutrition

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a part-time, exempt position; competitive hourly pay based on experience.

Hours:

General barn hours are Monday - Saturday: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, and Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Reliability is essential. Please note that this role may require working on weekends, holidays, evenings and special events depending on the needs of the farm. Expected part-time hours are 10-20 per week.

Barn Staff (Full-Time or Part-Time) - Lexington, KY

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Barn Staff are responsible for the daily cleaning of stalls, grooming, feeding and care of 60+ horses as well as general upkeep of the facility and work under the direction of the Facility Manager and Barn Foreman.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Performs general duties related to the care of 60+ horses including, but not limited to, the following.

Mucking and bedding stalls
Feeding horses and dumping/filling water buckets
Turning horses in and out from pasture
Maintaining cleanliness of the barns and facility, including sweeping and raking the areas surrounding the barns
Observe horses for wounds or missing shoes daily
Blanketing of horses
Grooming horses and holding for veterinary and farrier services
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Previous experience with horses required; experience handling green horses is strongly preferred.

Familiarity with horse care and husbandry practices, including experience with horse stall cleaning
Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
Physical ability to perform tasks that involve lifting up to 50 pounds and manual labor
Willingness to learn new skills and adapt to changing farm needs
Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license required
Experience operating farm equipment preferred

Compensation and Benefits:

These are exempt positions; competitive hourly pay based on experience.

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

Eligibility for health (75% employer-paid), dental and vision (100% employee-paid) coverage through employer group health plan after 90 days of employment
Paid time off starting at 15 days annually (pro-rated) after 90 days of employment
Eight (8) company-paid holidays per year
Eligibility for participation in SIMPLE IRA retirement plan subject to plan eligibility requirements after two years of employment
Eligibility for annual bonus

Hours:

Our general barn hours are Monday - Saturday: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, and Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Reliability is essential. Please note that all Barn Staff roles may require working on weekends, holidays, evenings and special events depending on the needs of the farm. Expected full-time hours are 40 - 50 per week.

Volunteer Opportunities

New Vocations' Lexington, KY, facility appreciates the help of volunteers in caring for our horses! Duties are tailored to the individual’s experience level and are centered on horse care. Volunteers are generally needed for special events throughout the year, as well. Please contact Carey Cairo at carey@horseadoption.com for more information.

New Vocations is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.