Dude Ranch Employment Pages and Guest Ranch Job Descriptions :
Wrangler Dani sent her Colorado Guest Ranch Wrangler memories in a video. These are a staff member’s memories, not guest family vacation memories (we do NOT shoot large caliber semi-automatic rifles!!!) Thanks Dani, we hope to see you next summer!
All positions for Summer 2013 have been filled. Happy Trails.
Dude Ranch Employment Policies and Expectations
Dude Ranch Wrangler Video
Sundance Trail Guest Ranch Application
So you think you may want ranch employment with guests at a Colorado Dude Ranch or Guest Ranch? Most of us dreamed of this kind of work for years before we were hired here – we know exactly how you feel!
Don’t believe that a Dude Ranch job is like a vacation at summer camp.
Dude Ranch employment - wranglers
This is very physical work, hard work with long hours. We hire folks who are:
- mature,
- self directed,
- well rounded,
- happy,
- “people – friendly,”
- and who have the stamina and endurance required by ranch life.
- Please read this list again!
We are looking to hire people with skills that meet the needs of the positions open. Having a “love for horses and the great outdoors” is not what we are looking for – we need specific experience with whatever each position requires.
Although each of us has specific job responsibilities, each of us also must be flexible enough to work or at least assist every job of our Dude Ranch life including:
- washing dishes (plan on it!),
- housekeeping (likewise!),
- picking up trash (constantly – including cigarette butts and other disgusting stuff),
- shoveling manure (horse, goat, kitten, whatever…),
- and clearing trail in the high country (finally something that sounds fun!).
- Please read this paragraph again!
- We are interested in candidates who can quickly and easily become part of a team.
- We have found that unmarried couples, or friends or siblings who apply “as a pair,” are seldom successful integrating with the other folks who form the team. We can no longer consider applications that come in pairs.
- We begin accepting summer applications and videos on December 1st, and begin making employment decisions in January.
- Also, be aware that we do not accept Dude Ranch wrangler job applications without a video or live interview on horseback.
- We do not accept resumes without an application. If you send us a resume without an application, we will file your resume in the appropriate place!
Dude Ranch Wrangling is Serious Work!
If you are interested in working for us, then please
1. Study the Dude Ranch Job Descriptions below, then
2. Visit the page that lists our Expectations, and then
3. Wranglers (only) please visit the Video script, then
4. Feel free to send us an Application.
Summer Dude Ranch Kitchen Staff
Don’t listen to those wranglers! YOU are the most important part of our ranch!
Some of the most important memories that we want to create for our guests are meal memories. We eat in the dining room, in the back yard, and on the trail. We serve “hearty western fare family style,” which can include lots of vegetables and salads as well as meat and potatoes. Because Ellen and Dan are both RN’s we see many guests who have therapeutic diets or allergies.
The kitchen staff is a group of five people who have high energy and good humor. Psychosis is not an obstacle to working in the kitchen, although active drinking problems will get you sent on your way. Kitchen and housekeeping staff typically works forty-five hours per week over six days.
Summer Kitchen Staff responsibilities include:
- Preparing hearty western meals for 20-25 hungry guests and 10 – 16 hungry staff (about 40 total).
- Serving meals family style; in dining room, on front porch, at picnic tables, and on the trail.
- Baking enormous amounts of desserts and cookies daily.
- Preparing therapeutic and/or special diets (with management support) as needed.
- Managing and maintains food and supplies inventories (shops for groceries).
- Regularly reviewing and assuring compliance with all Health Department Safety Standards and rules.
- Maintaining a spotless clean kitchen, including washing dishes, pots, and pans.
- Helping little kids get eggs from the hen-house.
- Helping wranglers, maintenance persons, and managers do whatever needs to get done to provide guests with a safe and delightful ranch experience.
- Telling endless jokes and humorous stories.
There are five staff that share these kitchen duties:
Guest Ranch Dining Room
1. Kitchen Manager/THE Cook (the Boss)
2. Breakfast Cook/Prep Cook
3. Dining Room Steward/Dishwasher
4. Kangaroo #1/Housekeeper/Dishwasher/Other skill #1
5. Kangaroo #2/ Housekeeper/Dishwasher/Other skill #2
Kitchen Manager/THE Cook:
(title flexible), be that a Chef or self-taught cook. This person is responsible for:
- managing the rest of the kitchen staff (and wranglers who wander in).
- planning, with owners, weekly menus with an emphasis on recipes in ranch cookbook, (A two week cycle of a seven-day menu and recipes are provided by the ranch as a starting point. New recipes and significant menu changes are to be discussed with owner.)
- preparing all food served on the ranch or out on the trail,
- managing inventory, ordering groceries, and maintaining a well-stocked pantry
- assuring a clean, sanitary, safe kitchen, as defined by Public Health rules and regulations
- assuring that all staff follow proper food handling and storage practices
This is a leadership position; s/he directs, delegates and motivates other staff. The Kitchen Manager sets the tone and the atmosphere. Being in the kitchen under the leadership of a strong cheerful manager can be fun.
Most days this person will start about 10 AM, prepare lunch & dinner. This person will also bake cookies, breads, desserts.
THE Cook Requirements:
- professional cooking experience preferred, but will consider candidates who are talented cooks and
- can plan,
- can manage, and
- can relate to others in a very high paced and sometimes stressful environment.
- Psychosis, with a sense of humor, is not an impediment to this job. Uncontrolled alcoholism, however, is.
- Strong social skills, attention to personal appearance, and proper etiquette are essential.
- Must be able to repeatedly lift and carry 85 pounds a minimum of 300 feet while working at altitude of 8,000 feet.
- Ability to drive vehicles with stick shift preferred.
- Must be able to perform all of the duties listed in high altitude environment.
- Horse knowledge and skills is preferred, as this allows the employee to also assist with wrangling duties and get out of the kitchen every now and then and have fun!
Breakfast Cook/Prep Cook
- Assist the boss cook in all functions listed above. (Traffic control, menu planning, inventory management, food ordering, clean/sanitary/safe kitchen.)
- Plan breakfast menus with the Kitchen Manager
- The Early Bird. Most days starts at 6 to cook breakfast.
- Prepare breakfast for guests and staff
- Bake enormous amounts of cookies, breads and desserts, as delegated by the Manager
- Assist Manager with inventory and ordering groceries,
- Assure a clean kitchen and that all staff follow proper food handling and storage practices as defined by Public Health rules and regulations,
- Preps for lunches & suppers.
Breakfast Cook/Prep Cook Requirements:
- cooking/baking experience preferred, but will consider candidates who are comfortable in the kitchen
- can relate to others in a very high paced and sometimes stressful environment
- has a sense of humor
- ability to maintain a clean work environment
- Strong social skills, attention to personal appearance, and proper etiquette are essential.
- Must be able to repeatedly lift and carry 85 pounds a minimum of 300 feet while working at altitude of 8,000 feet.
- Ability to drive vehicles with stick shift preferred.
- Must be able to perform all of the duties listed in high altitude environment.
- Horse knowledge and skills is preferred, as this allows the employee to also assist with wrangling duties and get out of the kitchen every now and then and have fun!
Dining Room Steward / Executive Dishwasher
Responsibilities include strategic planning, executive direction and maintaining:
- Overall appearance of the kitchen and dining room, assuring that these rooms are clean, neat and orderly,
- Setting tables, serving meals, busing tables, and washing a never ending flow of dishes (with the assistance of kangaroos)
- Washes more dishes
- Perform daily maintenance duties such as mopping floors, washing pots and pans, cleaning
- Unloading, checking and storing all food orders and kitchen supplies
- Yup, more dishes!
- This position is an “all-around” or “float” and may be called upon to do just about anything on the ranch.
Dining Room Steward/Executive Dishwasher Requirements:
- An advanced degree in dish washing engineering preferred
- Rabid, obsessive – compulsive need for cleanliness is highly valued
- Strong social skills, attention to personal appearance, and proper etiquette are essential.
- Experience in housekeeping preferred but we will train conscientious persons who are organized, detail oriented and have the right attitude. We expect our dining room and all public areas to be VERY clean.
- Must be able to repeatedly lift and carry 85 pounds a minimum of 300 feet while working at altitude of 8,000 feet.
- Ability to drive vehicles with stick shift preferred.
- Must be able to perform all of the duties listed in high altitude environment.
- Horse knowledge and skills is preferred, as this allows the employee to also assist with wrangling duties.
- Those with a high tolerance for filth need not apply.
Kangaroo
This person hops around and does a bunch of different things each day.
- Assist Steward set tables for the next meal
- Serve food
- Dazzle guests with sparkling conversation
- Bus tables, assist with dish washing, and reset tables for next meal.
- Following the cleaning up of breakfast this person will do housekeeping duties.
- Dude Ranch Housekeeping responsibilities include general but thorough housekeeping of all guest suites, the lodge, and all public areas. This includes:
- cleaning bathrooms
- changing towels
- changing/making beds
- vacuuming
- dusting
- washing floors, counters, windows
- washing & folding sheets & towels
- ironing as needed
- sweeping decks, porches, and cleaning outside areas
- picking up trash
- breaking down, moving, and setting up beds in different suites
- cleaning vehicles
- Assists with ranch entertainment (usually in the evenings) and assisting with childrens’ programming (including weekly overnight kids camp out).
- Tells endless jokes and humorous stories.
- During the afternoon, this person may have some ranch laundry to do, or often are free and may join afternoon ride with guests.
- Each Kangaroo may have other talents that must be expressed, and may include any or all of the below activities;
- May lead daily hikes and climbs, as needed.
- May take guests fishing, as needed.
- May lead or assist rock climbing, top ropes or belaying.
- May assist in the office with telephone, typing, emails, or marketing.
- This position is an “all-around” or “float” and may be called upon to do just about anything on the ranch.
Kangaroo Requirements:
- Strong social skills, attention to personal appearance, and proper etiquette are essential.
- Experience in housekeeping preferred but we will train conscientious persons who are organized, detail oriented and have the right attitude. We expect our guest rooms to be VERY clean.
- Must be able to repeatedly lift and carry 85 pounds a minimum of 300 feet while working at altitude of 8,000 feet.
- Ability to drive vehicles with stick shift preferred.
- Must be able to perform all of the duties listed in high altitude environment.
- Horse knowledge and skills is preferred, as this allows the employee to also assist with wrangling duties.
- Rabid, obsessive – compulsive need for cleanliness is highly valued
- Those with a high tolerance for filth need not apply.
Dude Ranch Rock Climbing Instructor. This is a part time position, usually done by a Kangaroo or Wrangler. Responsibilities will include:
1. Lead single pitch top roping program for both small and larger groups.
2. Maintain inventory. Care for and/or replace equipment as needed.
3. Maintain safety and equipment logs.
4. Teach other staff skills needed to assist.
5. Provide guests with all of the “guest relations” functions listed in the Wrangler job description below, including the roles of safety officer, teacher, coach, entertainer.
6. Plan future activities.
Rock Climbing Instructors must be AMGA certified (or equivalent). If you are a climber but not currently certified climbing instructor, it may be possible to obtain certification before the summer season if you have:
1. Completed at least 20 documented indoor and/or outdoor climbing outings (12 months of climbing experience preferred)
2. Current first aid and CPR certifications.
3. Be able to climb at 5.8 level on top rope, lead 5.7 climbs on artificial walls
4. Demonstrate your ability to take controlled falls on rope and while bouldering.
5. (Preferred) be an active lead climber, and have led trad climbs on at least 15 graded rock climbing routes
The Rock Climbing Instructor position will be part time, split with either housekeeping or wrangling positions or other positions.
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The Barn:
Don’t listen to those kitchen people! YOU are the most important part of our ranch!
Some of the most important memories that we want to create for our guests are from horseback! The barn has three types of wranglers:
1. The Barn Manager (Boss)
2. Children’s Wrangler
3. Plain Ol’ Fashioned Wranglers
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Dude Ranch or Guest Ranch Wranglers
Please note that we have many wrangler applications with start dates in June. While some positions may start in June, most positions will start in early or mid May.
We also have many wrangler applications with ending dates in mid or late August. We will need wranglers who can work through September and maybe October. Preference will be given to those applicants that can work into September, October and November.
Responsibilities include:
- Gathering and feeding, saddling and preparing horses for rides;
- Leading Guest Trail Rides; safety officer, story teller and teacher
- Teaching beginner and intermediate riders; coaching proficient riders
- Caring for sick and injured animals
- teaching horse care,
- Inspecting, maintaining and cleaning tack, being sure all is safe and in good working order;
- Inspecting and maintaining facilities, corrals, arena, trails, grounds (manure happens);
- leading children’s’ arena games (with Children’s’ Wrangler)
- assists the Children’s’ Wrangler
- Provides or assists with ranch entertainment (usually in the evenings) and assisting with children’s’ programming (including weekly overnight kids camp out).
- Fixes broken things.
- Manages manure inventory and placement.
- Tells endless jokes and humorous stories.
- Leads daily hikes and climbs.
- Takes guests fishing.
- Lots of housekeeping, yard maintenance, trash removal, fence building/repair,trail repair, dish washing, *toilets* and related romantic cowboy stuff.
- This wrangler will also spend a good amount of time cutting, limbing, bucking and milling trees for various construction projects planned. Sawyer experience not necessary, as we will train.
Requirements:
- Extensive horse knowledge and skills, and the ability to effectively teach these skills must be demonstrated, either through personal interview or videotape.
- Strong “people” skills: we successful wranglers demonstrate confidence, warmth, initiative, good judgment and leadership skills. Shy and timid people do not do well. People who need to “sow wild oats” do not last long here.
- See our separate outline of videotape requirements.
- The ability to drive standard transmission vehicles (jeeps and trucks) is valuable.
- Must be able to lift and repeatedly carry 85 pounds a minimum of 300 feet while working at 8,000 feet altitude; and drive vehicles with stick shift.
- Must be able to perform all of the duties listed in high altitude environment.
- Must be able to communicate to the public with tact and clarity, and exhibit a patient and knowledgeable attitude with horses.
Note: Wranglers who are also farriers or who have shoeing experience may be eligible for a separate contract for shoeing activities.
Please call Dan to discuss details (970-224-1222).
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Dude Ranch or Guest Ranch Children’s’ Wrangler
Dude Ranch Children’s’ Wrangler responsibilities include:
- Responsible for constructing and maintaining a complete children’s program for pre-schoolers through young teens (5 to 15 years old). Your program should have a curriculum and lesson plans based on introduction and acquisition of skills; and
- should include fishing, riding, archery, astronomy, baking/cooking, Indian lore, first aide, orienteering, and leather work.
- You will also act as an advisor to those children who are working on Boy and Girl Scout merit badges.
- Responsible for Tuesday night overnight, family arena games, and all other children’s’ activities.
- Note: the Children’s Wrangler also shares all other wrangler duties listed in the “Wrangler” Job Description including feeding on a rotating basis; pulling, tacking, brushing picking feet; etc. assisting in busing tables and washing dishes, etc. This position is not appropriate for those who are not strong “team players.”
Requirements:
- Extensive child care and teaching/leading experience,
- professional teaching and scouting experience strongly preferred.
- Moderate horseback riding and equine knowledge. Extensive horse knowledge and skills is preferred, as this allows the employee to also assist with wrangling duties.
- See our separate outline of videotape requirements.
- The ability to drive standard transmission vehicles (jeeps and trucks) is valuable.
- Must be able to repe4atedly lift and carry 85 pounds a minimum of 300 feet while working at 8,000 feet altitude; and drive vehicles with stick shift.
- Must be able to perform all of the duties listed in high altitude environment.
- Must be able to communicate to kids and parents with tact and clarity, and exhibit a patient and knowledgeable attitude with horses.
- Endless enthusiasm and energy.
- A genuine love for working with children.
Winter Dude Ranch Caretaker/ Guest Ranch Wrangler
The Winter Dude Ranch caretaker/ Guest Ranch Wrangler is a nine month position (September through May) that usually takes a leadership position the next summer. We are hoping to find someone to take leadership in next summer’s ropes program.
During the fall/winter/spring months the ranch is open as a Red Feather Lakes Pet Friendly Bed & Breakfast with daily horseback riding.Typically we have no more than 10-14 guests on Friday through Monday, and usually no guests Tuesday – Thursday. The pace is a bit slower most days, and then very, very busy on weekends and holidays, with B&B guests, Murder Mystery Guests, “Wild Women’s Week-ends,” Elopement Weddings, troops of scouts, you name it!
There will be four people who run the ranch, Ellen, Dan, our Barn Manager Justin, and the Winter Ranch Caretaker/Wrangler. All four of us do everything needed: wrangling, housekeeping, maintenance, cooking, teaching scouts, stage managing Murder Mysteries, and yes, even conducting weddings!
Be aware that life in the mountains is very quiet (boring) when you are living with two middle aged people and there is no TV!
The Responsibilities include ALL of the responsibilities listed in all of the summer job descriptions:
- Feeding and daily care of horses.
- Exercising and training horses
- Leading Guest Trail Rides; safety officer, story teller and teacher
- Teaching beginner and intermediate riders
- Housekeeping – beds, bathrooms, vacuuming, laundry (all the romantic stuff!). Be aware! Vacuuming at this altitude tends to generate HUGE amounts of testosterone in young healthy men, causing HUGE muscle development and the need to buy new, larger cowboy-ugly shirts. Healthy young cowgirls, on the other hand, just get brighter smiles (being smarter than cowboys, they know horse-feathers when they read them)!
- Cooking – assisting with meal preparation, serving, busing, and washing dishes and pots & pans
- Maintenance – fixing the long list of things that got broken the previous summer, plowing snow, fixing fence.
- Telephone – answering phone, helping prospective guests with their questions and booking reservations (these skills will be taught to you)
- We will be planning expansion of our top-ropes climbing program this year. If you have background and skills in top ropes, low ropes, challenge courses and via ferata experiences, we want to talk with you!
For more information, first read ALL of the information listed here, and then call Dan with your questions.
Dude Ranch Job Requirements include:
- Strong wrangling skills (we prefer a visit to ride with us but will accept a video)
- Good teaching skills (lots of beginner riders)
- Good telephone skills
- Willingness to do lots of dishes and housekeeping
- The ability to drive standard transmission vehicles (jeeps and trucks) is required.
- Ability to enjoy folding laundry for hours while watching Netflix videos with two middle-aged people.
- Physical requirements as listed in all other job descriptions (able to repeatedly and continuously lift & carry 85 pounds at least 300 feet at an altitude of 8,000 feet).
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