Ranch Caretaker Couple needed in Dolores, Colorado ~ $50k-$60k

Filled / Expired

Private

Email

Email Address Hidden

Location

Dolores, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

$50,000 to $60,00 /couple DOE

Date Posted

July 14, 2023

Housing Offered

Yes

Experience

2-5 yrs

Seeking mature couple who appreciate wild lands and animals, who can solve routine maintenance concerns, and are looking for long term employment
Care and maintenance of beautiful 320 acre ranch in SW Colorado with three homes. Owners frequently travel and the property requires constant upkeep
A diversity of handy skills, physical strength, and ability and willingness to learn are a big plus
Operation and basic maintenance of machinery, ie. Tractor and attachments, chain saw, mower, weed-eater, rototiller, wood chipper. Ability to load any rented machinery on and off trailer, keep all machinery maintained and in working order.
Ability to understand, maintain and troubleshoot irrigation – i.e., garden and gated pipe, move water in pastures, move water in all gardens. Set up and maintain pumps near canal tank and rain tanks. Maintenance of rain tank system. Communicate with Irrigation supplier as needed.
Ability to build and maintain barbed wire fencing and snow drift fencing. Maintenance of solar ranch gate. Maintenance of driveways with gravel and solar lighting around houses.
Good knowledge of basic carpentry and everyday ranch hand tools.
Good knowledge of agricultural planting and upkeep, ie. Veggie garden, fruit tree pruning, cover crops, etc.
Routine Fire Mitigation – Chain saw dead trees for firewood and/or contact professional tree trimmers, use chipper and/or burn wood, spread chips in gardens as needed. Collect and stack firewood for use at studio – requires chainsaw and woodchipper operation ability.
Routine mowing and weed eating of grassy oval and outlying areas around lower house – requires use of zero turn mower and weed eater.
Keep all driveways plowed in winter using tractor and/or hire outside plowers . Winterize all irrigation systems & machinery.
Assist in planting and maintenance of flower and veggie gardens & Greenhouse. Harvesting of veggies, raspberries, blackberries and fruit trees . Non-chemical weed abatement.
Runs to town (10 miles) for misc supplies, dump, repairs etc.
Trail maintenance with chainsaw, loppers. Keep trails clear for hiking
Housesitting while owners travel – check mail, pay bills, water indoor plants, etc
Occasional cooking/catering for guests a plus
Care of our friendly dog while we are gone.
Maintenance, cleaning & service of guest house for visitors
Assist owners with various projects, i.e. landscaping, decorative fences, construction projects, etc
Rodent mitigation
Attend various workshops as needed for further learning on ranch upkeep and skills
Foreign couples with legal green card status welcome
Includes new 2 bedroom/2 bath home/garage with awesome panoramic views of Mesa Verde and Montezuma valley
Initial interview by Zoom or similar, unless nearby