City Of Philadelphia Office Of Human Resources

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7A72

HOSTLER GROUP LEADER

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General Definition

• This is supervisory and semi-skilled work in the care of riding horses and the maintenance of stables. The employee is responsible for supervising Hostlers on an assigned shift and participating in the work. Work is performed under the supervision of a police supervisor.

Allocating Factors:

(The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• The employee in this class must perform semi-skilled work in the care and maintenance of horses and stables.
• The employee in this class must supervise a group of Hostlers.

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Typical Examples Of Work (Illustrative Only)

• Inspects feed and tack rooms and oversees other activities of hostlers for adherence to prescribed standards of cleanliness and performance of correct procedures; examines leather harnesses, halters and saddles for proper condition; learns from Hostlers, or by personal examination, the general condition of horses and symptoms of illness or injury; alerts veterinarian or horseshoer of need for appropriate attention; instructs Hostlers of proper feed portions and time, and treatments prescribed by the veterinarian; assigns subordinates to shifts and arranges shift schedule for full coverage.
• Grooms horses using curry combs, wash clothes, brushes, and mane and tail combs; bathes horses using medicated shampoos; picks horses' hooves using hoof pick; inspects horses' shoes for wear and looseness; treats and packs horses' hooves for thrush as necessary; clips horses with electric body and ear clippers; inspects general condition of horses; cleans horses' sheaths as needed.
• Tacks horses using saddles, pads, housings, bridles and breast plates; uses special therapeutic pads as necessary; removes all tack after patrol.
• Cleans saddles, bridles and other tack using saddle soap, leather conditioner and other cleaners as needed; oils tack to prevent dry rot; cleans metal with polish and steel wool.
• Cleans stalls by removing dirty straw with pitchforks; cleans stall floors with rakes and push brooms; replaces dirty straw with fresh straw; places hay in stalls; inspects stalls for damage; checks for exposed nails; removes cob webs and dust from walls and ledges.
• Cleans tack room, operations room, staff room, bathrooms, locker rooms and hallways.
• Cleans catwalk, hayloft, loading deck and surrounding areas of barn; hoses and scrubs barn aisleways; washes stall and outside areas on a periodic basis.
• Waters horses at trough or in box stalls; hay and feeds horses according to horses' weight, appetite and condition; mixes and dumps feed; administers medicines and supplements in horses' feed as necessary.
• Turns out horses for the purpose of exercise.
• May administer medications using a dose syringe or balling gun; cleans wounds and applies medication and bandages as needed.
• Prepares routine report on feed usage; time worked by hostlers; veterinarian visits; and equipment, tools and supplies needed.
• Performs related work as required.

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Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge Of:

• horse anatomy
• the general care, feeding, and grooming of horses

Ability To:

• control horses under varying circumstances
• supervise the work of a small group of hostlers engaged in the care of horses
• make simple arithmetic computations and to apply them to routine feeding schedules and records of supplies
• understand and follow oral and written instructions

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Minimum Acceptable Training And Experience

(The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/11.)

Education

• Ability to read and write English. AND

Experience

• Two years of experience in the care, feeding, and grooming of riding, racing or show horses.

Physical And Medical Requirements

1. Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

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PAY RANGE:

11

• Class Established:

  • 1/53

• Re-establishment of class:

  • CSC: 7/11, Ad Board: 9/11

MA/jl

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End Of Job Class Specification - 7A72