Ranchlands Zapata Ranch
HOW TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume and letter of interest to: [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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POSITION SUMMARY
As a Wrangler you are a primary contact for guests at Zapata Ranch, and you must present an authentic Western appearance, and be warm, gracious, and able to think on your feet at all times. Your primary duties will be to guide guests on horseback rides throughout the ranch and Great Sand Dunes National Park and lead afternoon activities for guests, in addition to assisting as needed with other aspects of Zapata’s hospitality programs where needed. Safety is our number one concern, followed closely by ensuring that all of our guests have the best possible vacation.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Greet guests, introduce yourself, engage with them, and anticipate their needs throughout their stay.
- Educate and inform guests about Ranchlands, The Nature Conservancy, and other partners and agents that we work closely with, as well as how the ranch operates, our mission, goals, and environment.
- Guide guests on rides both on the ranch and in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and any other horseback programs.
- Curate imaginative outdoor experiences tailored to each guest.
- Guide interpretive hikes with guests when scheduled.
- As needed, lead bison tours on the Medano for all inclusive guests and day visitors.
- Assist with all workshops and programs throughout the season. Note: we like our wranglers and staff to participate in the workshops when possible, but your primary responsibility is to facilitate the guests’ experience.
- Lead and assist with afternoon activities as needed, including but not limited to: roping lessons, leather working sessions, naturalist walks, bird watching, appetizers at the mercantile, and assisting with mercantile sales.
- Assist with dinner service and dish duties as needed. Represent Zapata’s food program by answering questions about produce and the journey of our food, delivering exceptional service throughout meal times.
- Avoid being on your phone while with guests unless making a call/text for work, or taking pictures/videos of the guests.
- Guest pictures and videos must be uploaded to the designated Google Drive folder by the end of each week
- Write guest thank you notes by the end of each guest week.
- Any other activities that come up as relevant to guest services.
- Ensure you drive trailers and ranch vehicles exceptionally carefully at all times, never exceeding the speed limit on Highway 150 or Lane 6 and sticking to a maximum of 20mph on the Medano road and 10mph on the Zapata driveway and road to the corrals. Not only have we seen consistent damage to trucks and trailers because of excessive speed (hitting bumps, having to slam on brakes, potholes, etc.), there is a risk to the horses. Additionally, we now have children that could potentially walk into the driveway or the road to corrals or be around the lodge. There is no exception for this and anyone driving too fast on the ranch will receive a warning. A second warning will mean dismissal.
- Assist with daily care of horses, including grooming, tacking up, and attention to sickness or injury.
- Wrangle horses in and out on rotation through the week.
- Assist with daily routine survey of tack and equipment; take note of anything that needs to be repaired and pull it out of use until fixed.
- Maintain the corral area daily, keeping it clean and tidy and paying attention to any repairs that are needed.
- Regularly pull weeds in the corral area and round pen.
- Conduct riding orientations when required according to the Zapata Ranch guidelines.
- Ensure horse pastures have strong intact fences; check all fences and gates before pasture change.
- Ensure pastures and corrals have a dependable water supply each day.
- Keep first aid supplies stocked and tidy.
- Ensure your saddlebags are stocked with first aid supplies.
- The horses’ grazing and work schedule is carefully managed, and horses are not available for riding outside of scheduled guest programs.
- All staff are expected to help out and take part in any area of the lodge operations as needed. This may include dishes, serving, sweeping walkways or weeding, cleaning vehicles, taking laundry to town, assisting with last minute dining preparations, checking in late guests, shuttling vehicles, and helping your colleagues by any means.
- Airport collection and drop-off of guests.
- Checking inventory on the mercantile store; tidying, re-stocking and cleaning the store.
- Basic office training to field inquiries and phone calls if needed.
- Help with basic upkeep and cleanliness of vehicles and trailers.
- Assist with the upkeep of the lodge and grounds — sweeping sidewalks, breaking down cardboard boxes for recycling, raking leaves, picking up sticks.
- Assist with all other necessary projects, including but not limited to: painting, varnishing, repairs, organizing shops, clearing and maintaining the walking trail.
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Lifelong rider or proven advanced experience in different riding disciplines for a shorter period of time.
- Excellent conversationalist and communicator
- Willing to build meaningful relationships with all demographics and ages of people
- Proven interest in ecology, biology, geology, land management, ranching, conservation or related field
- Can-do attitude and excellent, thoughtful problem solver
- Ability to recognize when tasks need to be done and take initiative to complete them
- Friendly and warm personality
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Service or hospitality experience preferred but not required.
Valid driver’s license
WORK SCHEDULE + TIME OFF
This is a seasonal (March 1-October 31), full-time position that entails at least 40 hours per week. Preferred start date: Feb. 15, 2023.
Reasonable overtime to meet business needs are likely.
Specific work schedules are set on a weekly basis and will vary according to the needs of the business; staff must be willing and able to adapt to meet a flexible weekly schedule.
One day off per week, according to the weekly work schedule and further down time where do-able.
Additional five (5) days unpaid time off may be requested within the season, with approval by the Ranch Manager being contingent upon the ability to meet guest needs and coordination of staff schedules across all departments.
HOUSING
This position is required to be on-site with housing and utilities provided.
HOW TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume and letter of interest to: [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
View more info here: https://ranchlands.com/pages/work-with-us
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
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All Ranch Jobs, Barn Hand Jobs, Entry Level Ranch Jobs, Equestrian Ranch Jobs, Equine Jobs, Guest / Dude Ranch Jobs, Horse Care / Training Jobs, Horseback Riding / Trail Guide Jobs, Ranch Hand Jobs, Ranch Jobs with Housing, Summer Ranch Jobs, Wait Staff / Kitchen Staff Jobs, Wrangler Jobs