Overview
Part-Time Direct Support Professional – Animal Care & Education Jobs in Willis, TX at New Danville
Part-Time Direct Support Professional – Animal Care & Education
Department: Day Program / Animal Programs
Reports To: Day Program Manager / Designated Supervisor
Location: New Danville – Willis, Texas
Employment Type: Part-Time
Pay: $15.75 – $16.00
Position Summary
The Part-Time Direct Support Professional (DSP) – Animal Care & Education is responsible for providing daily care and support for New Danville’s small livestock and animal programs while also supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through hands-on educational activities.
This position combines animal care, direct support, teaching, and community-based programming. The DSP will be responsible for the daily care and well-being of New Danville’s mini horses, donkeys, goats, and chickens while teaching Large Animal and Small Animal classes. The ideal candidate is dependable, patient, comfortable working with animals, and passionate about helping individuals learn new skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesAnimal Care
- Provide daily care for New Danville’s mini horses, donkeys, goats, and chickens.
- Feed and water animals according to established schedules and care plans.
- Clean and maintain stalls, pens, coops, shelters, and surrounding animal areas.
- Monitor animals for changes in behavior, appetite, appearance, mobility, or overall health.
- Report injuries, illness, unusual behavior, or other concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
- Assist with routine grooming, hoof care, bathing, and general animal maintenance as appropriate.
- Maintain clean, safe, and organized animal areas.
- Ensure adequate supplies of feed, bedding, water, and other animal-care materials.
- Assist with maintaining fencing, gates, shelters, and animal equipment and report maintenance concerns promptly.
- Follow established animal-care, safety, sanitation, and emergency procedures.
- Assist with coordinating veterinary care and other animal services as directed.
- Maintain accurate animal-care records and documentation as required.
- Ensure animals have appropriate enrichment, exercise, and interaction.
- Safely handle and interact with animals using appropriate techniques.
- Follow all New Danville policies and procedures regarding animal care and client safety.
Animal Education & Classes
- Teach New Danville’s Large Animal and Small Animal classes.
- Develop and facilitate hands-on learning activities appropriate for the individuals participating in the program.
- Teach basic animal-care skills, safety, grooming, feeding, handling, and animal behavior.
- Incorporate opportunities for individuals to develop vocational, social, communication, and independent living skills through animal-related activities.
- Modify activities and instruction based on individual abilities, interests, and support needs.
- Provide appropriate supervision and support to ensure individuals can safely participate in animal activities.
- Encourage individuals to participate as independently as possible while providing assistance and prompting when needed.
- Maintain a positive, respectful, and engaging learning environment.
- Document participation, progress, and significant observations as required by the program.
Direct Support Professional Responsibilities
- Provide direct support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accordance with their individual needs and New Danville’s program requirements.
- Promote independence, dignity, choice, and personal responsibility.
- Assist individuals in developing and maintaining appropriate social, communication, vocational, and daily living skills.
- Follow individual service plans, behavior support plans, safety plans, and other applicable support documentation.
- Provide appropriate prompting, redirection, encouragement, and supervision.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with individuals receiving services.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully with clients, families, coworkers, supervisors, and other members of the individual’s support team.
- Accurately document services and activities as required.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding clients, families, employees, and organizational information.
- Report incidents, injuries, behavioral concerns, or other significant events according to New Danville policy.
- Assist with community outings and other program activities when assigned.
- Maintain a safe environment for both clients and animals.
Safety & Compliance
- Follow all New Danville policies, procedures, and training requirements.
- Follow applicable Health and Human Services requirements and other regulatory standards related to the provision of services.
- Follow established animal-handling and zoonotic disease prevention practices.
- Maintain appropriate hygiene and sanitation when working with animals.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment when required.
- Immediately report unsafe conditions, animal injuries, client injuries, or other safety concerns.
- Never leave clients or animals unsupervised when supervision is required.
- Maintain a safe separation between animals and clients when appropriate.
- Complete required employee and DSP training within established timeframes.
Qualifications
Required:
- High school diploma or GED.
- Ability to successfully complete required background checks and employment screening.
- Ability to complete all required New Danville training.
- Reliable transportation to and from work.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to safely work around and handle livestock and other animals.
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with a variety of abilities and communication styles.
- Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position, including standing, walking, bending, lifting, cleaning, and working outdoors.
- Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through employment or family.
Preferred:
- Experience working with horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, or other livestock.
- Experience in animal care, agriculture, veterinary assisting, equine care, ranch work, or a related field.
- Experience teaching or facilitating hands-on educational activities.
- CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain certification.
- Experience with positive reinforcement and person-centered support practices.
Physical Requirements
This position requires regular physical activity and outdoor work. The employee must be able to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Bend, squat, kneel, reach, and climb as needed.
- Lift and carry supplies and equipment.
- Perform routine cleaning and animal-care duties.
- Safely work around livestock and unpredictable animal movement.
- Work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and humidity.
- Maintain appropriate supervision of clients while simultaneously working around animals and equipment.
Work Environment
The position is primarily based outdoors and in animal-care areas on New Danville’s campus. The employee will regularly work around livestock, animal waste, feed, hay, dust, dirt, mud, and outdoor elements. The position requires the ability to remain flexible and respond appropriately to changing conditions involving both animals and individuals receiving services.
Core Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Compassion and patience
- Reliability and accountability
- Animal-care knowledge and confidence
- Strong communication skills
- Good judgment and situational awareness
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Ability to teach and encourage others
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Commitment to person-centered services
- Commitment to the safety and well-being of both clients and animals
Equal Opportunity
New Danville is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, skills, and organizational needs without regard to legally protected characteristics.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may be modified as organizational and program needs change.
Pay: $15.75 – $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Experience:
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
Title: Part-Time Direct Support Professional – Animal Care & Education
Company: New Danville
Location: Willis, TX
Category:
