COMMUNITY SERVICES SPECIALIST I (SELECTIVE CERT - EQUESTRIAN) AFSCME LOCAL 459 (PAY GRADE 14)

COMMUNITY SERVICES SPECIALIST I (SELECTIVE CERT - EQUESTRIAN) AFSCME LOCAL 459 (PAY GRADE 14)

Salary

$17.71 - $28.96 Hourly

Location

New Castle County Carousel Park, 3700 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808, DE

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

00310

Department

Community Services

Division

Community Services

Opening Date

10/02/2026

Closing Date

10/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

In accordance with the Merit System Rules and Regulations, an eligible list, which will be valid for a one-year period and which will be used to fill vacancies during that period, is being established for this classification. Applicants on the eligible list will be certified in accordance with the Merit System and appropriate union contracts.

Candidates may submit online employment applications using the NEOGOV online application system available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/nccde.

EXAMINATION PROCESS: The examination process for this posting may include an evaluation of training and experience, a written examination, a computerized exam, an oral board interview examination, a performance examination or any combination of the above in order to qualify applicants for placement on the eligible list. The eligible list will be used to fill vacancies that occur within the next year. The appropriate number of names on the eligible list as prescribed by Merit System Section 26.03.505 will be certified to the hiring department for consideration to fill the vacant position(s).

New employees are generally hired at the starting salary and may be eligible for merit increases each year upon receipt of a satisfactory performance evaluation, up to the maximum salary.

New Castle County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Performs general maintenance duties involving seven-day coverage relating to special facilities of New Castle County Government; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An employee in this class performs routine work relating to special facilities of New Castle County Government. The duties require the ability to do heavy physical labor efficiently. This employee works under direct supervision of the Barn Managers. The details of each specific assignment are laid out and the work is checked upon completion. An employee in this class must express a willingness to learn and prepare for assignments of progressively increasing difficulty. This employee will be required to work a rotating shift and hours which shall include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative only)

• Performs general maintenance duties at any of the Countys facilities, in particular
• New Castle Countys equestrian center;
• Waters horses and measures, mixes, and apportions feed and feed supplements
• according to feeding instructions;
• Daily inspection of horse pastures, fencing, barns, and stalls;
• General repairs to electric fence, general pasture management (filling holes, removing debris);
• Cleaning out of the horses run-in shed in pastures;
• Operates ball field equipment to groom and care for indoor and outdoor arena; Exercises horses as needed;
• Hand walks or exercises horses on medical treatment in recovery after appropriate
• training;
• Feeds appropriate hay, as required;
• Washes, brushes, trims, picks feet and curries horses coats to clean and improve
• their appearance;
• Cleans barns and stables, replenishes bedding, and stacks loose hay and bales of
• hay;
• Turns horses out and brings them in from the pasture;
• Unloads and stores feed and supplies;
• Cleans saddles and bridles and other related riding equipment and checks for
• defects;
• Prepares horses for public riders by properly tacking them up as scheduled and requested;
• Assists children to mount pony, and leading of pony for rides;
• Moves furniture and equipment, organizes tack, and related equestrian equipment; Assists in planting and mulching around trees, shrubs, and flowers;
• Promotes an ongoing attitude of dedication to excellent public service and ensures that external and internal customers are provided with the highest quality of service; Operates a personal computer, and other related equipment in the course of the work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Some knowledge of and ability to work with horses; some knowledge of or ability to learn a variety of maintenance and manual tasks; ability to perform minor mathematical calculations; ability to lift heavy articles; ability to understand simple oral instructions; ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both verbally and in writing; willingness to perform heavy manual and sometimes routine work for an extended period under varying weather conditions; ability to pass a Class II County physical examination.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: At least six months general work experience, and completion of a standard high school course or GED certificate program; at least six months experience with horses including leading horses, grooming horses, and cleaning stalls; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Successful passing of hands-on test of horse experience. Possession of a valid Delaware Class D drivers license or its equivalent where the duties of the position include driving a vehicle; ability to pass a security check to include fingerprinting and a Child Protection Registry clearance in compliance with the Child Protection Act.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Laura McDermott

Office of Human Resources

Laura.McDermott@newcastlede.gov

Health Insurance: Starts the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period from the date of hire. Charges for coverage vary depending on type and level of coverage chosen. The following plans are currently available through Highmark (Comprehensive 80% Plan; a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) and Aetna (Open Access HMO.) Deductibles and co-pays may also apply.

Dental Insurance: Starts the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period from date of hire. Currently, there are two PPO options and an HMO option. Charges vary depending on type and level of coverage chosen.

Sick Leave: Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.

Vacation: Vests on December 31 of the calendar year preceding the vacation year. Vested vacation is to be used in the 12 months following the vesting date. Employees are entitled to vacation as follows:

• Less than 12 months service -- 1 day for each completed month of service to a maximum of 10 days
• 1 - 4 years of service -- 10 days of vacation
• 5 - 9 years of service -- 15 days of vacation
• 10 - 14 years of service -- 20 days of vacation
• 15 years of service -- 25 days of vacation
• 15+ years of service -- 25+ days of vacation (an additional day for each successive year of service)

Holidays: 13-1/2 paid holidays per year (1/2 day on Christmas Eve).

Life Insurance: Provided by the County in the amount of one and one-half times your salary. Minimum benefit -- $50,000; Maximum benefit -- $200,000.

Pension: Employee contributory amount of three percent of base salary to defined benefit plan. County will make a non-elective contribution of one percent of base salary to defined contribution account. In addition, the County will also make an annual matching contribution of one hundred percent of employees contribution, up to a maximum of two percent to defined contribution account. 10-year vesting.

Deferred Compensation Plan:

Optional employee contributory plan available.

Additional Benefits: Salary increases each year dependent upon appropriate negotiated increase and/or merit increases; Credit Union, Blood Bank, Sick Leave Bank (after two years of service), Fitness Center, and an Employee Assistance Program are all benefits available to employees at no cost.

Supplemental Benefits: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional life insurance, vision, group accident, group hospital indemnity, group disability, and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.

Union Affiliation: Some positions are affiliated with a local bargaining unit, and, therefore, will require a monthly dues deduction ranging from $23 to $46.65 per month.

Special Note: The above benefits are subject to change. For detailed information on any of the above, contact the Office of Human Resources at (302) 395-5180.

Revised: 12/15/15

01

Do you have at least six (6) months experience with horses including leading horses, grooming horses, and cleaning stalls? If yes, please describe your experience in detail.

02

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid Delaware Class D drivers license or its equivalent? If yes, please provide your drivers license number, state of issue an expiration date.

Required Question

Employer New Castle County Government

Address 87 Reads Way

New Castle, Delaware, 19720

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/nccde