A Job That Actually Matters
Hope and Healing at Hillenglade (HHH) is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 by actress and CoverGirl Jennifer O’Neill. For over 16 years, our 13-acre farm just 15 minutes from downtown Nashville has been a sanctuary where the "therapeutic wonder of horses" meets the invisible wounds of war. We’ve served more than 4,000 active military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families — all completely free of charge — through our Equine-Assisted Programs, the HHH Harvest live-in program, and our Renewal Center at The Chapel on the Hill.
We lose roughly one veteran to suicide every hour. Every stall you clean, every fence you mend, and every pasture you mow directly makes it possible for a warrior, a first responder, or a hurting family to walk onto this farm and find hope. This is not just a groundskeeping job — it’s frontline ministry, worked out with your hands.
The Role
We’re hiring a Horse & Grounds Caretaker to oversee the daily care of our horses, donkeys, and the property they call home. You’ll be the person who keeps Hillenglade running so our Certified Handlers and Leaders can focus on the people who come here to heal.
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 5–6 days per week. Specific days are TBD and determined in the interview process on a case-by-case basis.
Honest expectations: This is real farm work in the Middle Tennessee heat, cold, mud, and rain. Some weeks will demand more than 40 hours — storms, sick horses, event days, and unexpected repairs don’t follow a schedule. If you thrive outdoors, love hard physical work, and want your labor to mean something bigger than a paycheck, you’ll love it here. If you’re looking for a desk, this isn’t it.
What You’ll Do
● Feed, groom, and provide daily care for our horses and "donkeyettes" — many of whom are rescued, retired, or donated and now serve as partners in the HHH healing team.
● Muck and maintain stalls, paddocks, and pastures.
● Mow, weed-eat, and maintain the grounds so the property is welcoming and event-ready.
● Operate tractors, mowers, UTVs, and standard farm equipment safely and confidently.
● Handle routine property upkeep — fencing repair, gate work, minor construction, water lines, small equipment troubleshooting.
● Support HHH event days (Fourth of July celebration, Fort Campbell SRU sessions, Harvest Program cohorts, private events at the Renewal Center).
● Keep tack, barns, and equipment areas clean, organized, and safe for participants and volunteers.
● Work alongside HHH leadership, Certified Handlers, volunteers, and the Harvest Program live-in warriors.
Who You Are
● Required: Prior experience in an outdoor, manual, hands-on role — farm, ranch, landscaping, construction, grounds crew, military field work, or similar.
● Required: Comfortable and confident operating tractors and other farm equipment.
● Required: Physically capable of lifting 50+ lbs repeatedly, working on your feet all day, and performing sustained outdoor labor in all weather.
● Required: Reliable, punctual, and self-directed — the horses eat whether you feel like showing up or not.
● Required: A valid driver’s license and clean background check.
● Preferred: Experience with horses or large livestock (not required — we will train the right person).
● Preferred: A heart for our mission. HHH is a faith-based Christian ministry, and this role is an exceptional fit for someone whose walk with Christ calls them to serve veterans, first responders, and families walking through trauma and mental-health challenges.
Compensation
We offer two ways to structure this role — pick what fits your life:
● Option A — Live On-Site (Preferred): $27,000/year W-2 salary ($2,200/month) + private on-site housing valued at $2,000/month. Total compensation package: $53,000/year.
● Option B — Off-Site: $33,000/year W-2 salary at 40 hours/week. No housing provided.
On-site housing is a private residence on the farm property, governed by a written Trailer Agreement that will be signed alongside your employment offer.
Ideal for Couples — Two More Roles Open
The on-site housing comfortably suits a couple, and HHH is actively hiring for two additional positions on the farm right now. If you and your partner are both looking for meaningful, purpose-driven work in a Christian mission setting — and would enjoy building a life together on a beautiful working horse farm 15 minutes from Nashville — we would love to talk to both of you. Reach out and mention you’re applying as a pair.
What Makes Hillenglade Different
● You’ll work on 13 acres of gorgeous Middle Tennessee countryside — pastures, chapel, arena, and event spaces — with horses whose only remaining job is to help people heal.
● You’ll see the mission in action: a Vietnam-era veteran hugging a rescued mare, a Fort Campbell soldier finding words he couldn’t say to anyone else, a widow smiling for the first time in months.
● You’ll be part of a small, tight team that treats the farm like a calling, not a clock-punch.
● The Chapel on the Hill is a nondenominational space open for Bible studies and prayer whenever you need it.
How to Apply
Send a brief note about yourself, your outdoor/manual work background, whether you’d prefer Option A or Option B, and (if applicable) whether you’re applying as a couple. Include two references we can call.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 615-868-6309
Learn about our mission: www.hillenglade.org
Pay: $15.00 - $27.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
