Elk Mountain Ranch
Hiring:
Wrangler
Horse experience required. Must be safety conscious, have the ability to instruct guests and have strong communication and interpersonal skills. Responsible for conducting safe trail rides for groups of 4-7. Feed and care for herd of 50 horses. Maintain and repair tack. Clean barn and arena area daily. Willing to perform other maintenance duties as assigned – trail maintenance, stocking wood, fencing, etc. – and willing to work long hours. Shoeing and veterinary knowledge a plus. CPR and First Aid required (class will be provided at beginning of season). Must have good driving record as may be driving guests to Aspen or airports. Required to have neat and clean appearance, and dress in western style. Cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and collared shirts required. Wranglers will eat many meals with the guests and may be required to cook and serve some outdoor meals. Will be responsible for one hayride a month and weekly square dance and volleyball with guests.
Maintenance/Sports/Utility:
Willing to learn (and experience most helpful) in several skills such as basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical, vehicle maintenance and general ranch operations. Ability to be flexible and act immediately as circumstances arise. Also responsible for grounds maintenance, firewood, trash. Will conduct safe archery, marksmanship and trapshooting tournaments. Possibly drive to Aspen, ropes course and airport. Insurance requires driver to be 21 years of age with good driving record. Will help at barn in a.m. feeding and saddling horses and may also need to work with children in riding arena. Experience with horses not required but a willing attitude a must, plus excellent people skills working with adults, teens and children. Will eat many meals with the guests and may be required to cook and serve some outdoor meals. Will be responsible for one hayride a month and weekly square dance and volleyball with guests.
Children’s Counselor:
Responsible for children 7 and under. High level of energy, enthusiasm, and genuine love of children required. Must have ability to lead children through a variety of planned activities including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, treasure hunts and swimming at hot springs. Willing to get “down and dirty” with the kids. Ideally 21 years of age with excellent driving record, as will be responsible for transportation of children to hot springs in town. Will accompany children to lunch sites. On certain days, you will not have the children as long as others and will be expected to help out in other departments. Will participate in guided hike & evening activities.
Additional Information About Elk Mountain Ranch:
Requirements:
If you have a ready smile, are honest and willing to work long hard hours, love the outdoors and enjoy working with people, we may have a very special Colorado dude ranch employment opportunity for you! Elk Mountain Ranch is a first class guest ranch with off-the-beaten-path charm.
We expect our facilities to be kept spotlessly clean, meals to be excellently presented, activities to be led with safety and professionalism, and our guest services and relations to be outstanding. Our guests are not just customers, but members of our ranch family. We want our employees to work hard, have fun, enjoy the ranch and its facilities on their time off, take a staff raft trip and build relationships to last a lifetime.
Applicants for employment at our Colorado dude ranch must be at least 18 years of age and willing to live on the ranch. Modest housing and meals are supplied as part of our employment package. Please expect to have roommates. No smoking or drug use is allowed. A neat, clean appearance is necessary. We search for staff who are mature self-starters, who have strong communication skills and are team players. Our staff appreciate nature and have the mental and physical stamina for ranch life. The ranch is an extension of our home and we expect our staff to share our standards and moral conduct while at the ranch. Respect for fellow staff members is paramount.
We are looking for employees who are available for Colorado dude ranch employment from mid-May to the end of August. Some positions extend through the end of September. The exact dates that you are available to work are VERY important. The employment dates agreed upon become part of a signed agreement if hired.
Employees receive a bi-weekly paycheck with the rate being established when a job offer is made. Everyone works 6 days a week and all positions are over 40 hours per week. Tips are earned by going above and beyond. Staff participates in evening activities (hayride, square dance, volleyball, games and socializing). Tips are prorated among the staff based on the number of days worked. Average compensation is approximately $3000 per month plus room and board.
Our staff consists of 14 employees. Everyone is given specific job duties but is expected to help out wherever and whenever needed.
Transportation is recommended but not required. There is also a convenient and inexpensive bus service to/from Denver International Airport. You will need to arrange your own transportation on days off, as ranch vehicles are not to be used for personal purposes.
Benefits:
Hiking and mountain biking trails abound right out your front door. Our area is home to the largest collection of peaks over 14,000 feet – a challenge to summit, but well worth the effort. Many beautiful areas to explore are within a few hours drive – Aspen, Breckenridge, Vail, Salida, the Royal Gorge, the Great Sand Dunes, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado Springs, local hot springs pools. Staff are welcome to participate in guests’ activities on day off.
Washer and dryer are provided at no charge. Two employees are assigned an evening to share the machines.
Most cellular phones do work at the ranch. High speed wireless Internet is available.