Head Wrangler & Assistant Head Wrangler - Yellowstone National Park

Live. Work. Explore. as a part of our Wrangler & Trail team in Yellowstone National Park!

Saddle up! Yellowstone National Park Lodges is proud to operate one of the largest commercial equine activity programs in the nation. Our two horse corrals create unforgettable experiences for over 40,000 guests each summer - that's 400 guests per day! Our operations include 230 horses, 15 horse drawn vehicles, and 15 daily trail rides operated by approximately 50 employees during our 100-day season.

We’re hiring Head Wranglers and Assistant Head Wranglers  to Live. Work. Explore. this summer!

Job Summary: 

Horse department team members are expected to provide excellent guest service while providing commentary on one and two hour trail rides, wagon and coach rides and while escorting guests to the Old West Cookout (Roosevelt location only).Team members are responsible for all areas of the corrals to include but not limited to feeding and care of horses and cleanliness of the corral area. Please see below for more specifics depending on the position.

The Details:
Position Type: Seasonal
Season Dates: May 2024 - September 2024
Pay: Wage to be discussed during interview
Schedule: Typical schedule is 50-60 hours, 5 days/per week (may include weekends, evenings, and holidays)

Why Yellowstone National Park?
We are a welcoming community who work hard, share a real passion for the environment, and enjoy crafting memorable experiences for our guests. As part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®, we are the primary authorized concessionaire in Yellowstone, and proud stewards of the park.

Life in Yellowstone:

• Employee housing (dormitory-style) and on-site employee meals (cafeteria style). Room & Board costs equal $17.00/day and are deducted bi-weekly (approximately $234.00) from your paycheck
• Free on-site laundry facility, Wi-Fi (limited bandwith), and utilities included
• No Wyoming state taxes deducted from your paycheck
• A fast-paced, exciting work environment with plenty of upward mobility and growth opportunities
• Meet people of all ages from all over the country and world!

Benefits and Perks:

• Free Employee Recreation Program (recreation centers, athletics, gear rentals, seminars, van trips, hiking, and more).
• Employee discounts on retail, food & beverage, lodging, and activities in Yellowstone
• Employee discounts at local gateway communities
• Access to maintained campgrounds and back country campsites inside and around the park
• Over 1,000 miles of hiking trails inside the park itself
• Fresh air, breathtaking views, and clear night skies
• World-class wildlife viewing of bison, elk, moose, wolves, bears, and more
• Approximately 500 geysers (the largest concentration in the world) and hot springs, including Grand Prismatic, the third largest in the world

Head Wrangler (wage to be discussed during interview)

• Ensure compliance of assigned corral with all regulatory and company safety, health, emergency, and environmental initiatives and procedures
• Ensure proper horse care and management including daily inspection processes for all horses, corral, related facilities, and tack
• Ensure documentation of all required horse department logs, tags, reports, requests, and follow-up

• Responsible for running a safe and enjoyable operation for guests, employees, and animals

• Assists in staff interviews and selection (during the season on location)

• Directly responsible for training wranglers to properly uphold department standards, safety protocols and guest experience expectations

• Leads wranglers through personal example in attitude and actions. Maintains and projects a professional demeanor and appearance

• Ensure all employees receive informal feedback from their supervisor on a regular basis and written evaluations, periodically, in the How’s It Going (HIG) format

• Monitors corrals budget including labor and expenses  

• Has ongoing communication with horse department manager, human resources, risk management, operations location management

• Other duties as assigned

Assistant Head Wrangler (wage to be discussed during interview)

• Compliance with all regulatory and company safety, health, emergency and environmental initiatives and procedures
• Implement and embody the Horse Department Standard Operating Procedures
• Uphold proper horse care and management including daily inspection processes for all horses, corral, related facilities, and tack
• Document all required horse department logs, tags, reports, requests, and follow-up
• Responsible for running a safe and enjoyable operation for guests, employees, and animals
• Train wranglers to properly uphold department standards, safety protocols and guest experience expectations
• Other duties as assigned

Head Wrangler and Assistant Head Wrangler

• Working experience in a commercial trail rides program with thorough knowledge of tack, trail, corral repair and maintenance.
• Thorough knowledge of horsemanship and commercial trail riding.
• Thorough knowledge of and harnessing and driving teams for commercial horse drawn vehicle rides.
• Previous experience managing wranglers and must have previous supervisory or demonstrated leadership ability.
• Strong communication skills.
• Knowledge of Wrangler and Driver functions.
• Understand or ability to learn the natural, cultural, and geologic history of Yellowstone with the ability to organize it into an understandable, friendly delivery to guests.
• CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to be certified, required (training provided).
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record the past three years.

Physical Requirements include:

• If assisting with Stage Coach/Wagon Driver must weigh 280 pounds or less. If assisting with individual horse rides, must weigh 240 pounds or less.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 80 pounds.
• Must be able to mount and dismount horse without assistance.
• Must be able to work in a high-altitude environment.
• Must be able to bend, stretch, kneel and reach for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to speak and project voice for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work outdoors in variable weather (including rain, sleet, snow, direct sunlight, high winds, and temperatures ranging from 0 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work with large, domestic animals in a corral/ranch setting and capable of riding horses up to 12 hours a day.
• Must be able to use chemicals for cleaning or animal care.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.