Ranch Hand

Summit Valley Horse Center

2024 Ranch Hand Job Description

Summit Valley Horse Center is a non-profit located in Silverthorne, CO, where we specialize in the rehabilitation of rescue horses, providing volunteer training in how to safely work with all types of horses.

Overview: The Ranch Hand works with the Ranch Manager to perform daily duties such as feeding horses and mucking stalls, and perform maintenance and repair of all ranch facilities, ranch equipment, and property. The Ranch Hand lives on site in provided housing to provide night security for the safety of the horses.

Reporting: The Ranch Hand will report directly to the Ranch Manager for daily ranch duties and operations. If the Ranch Manager is unavailable the Ranch hand will report to the Executive Director.

Hours/Schedule

• 5 days a week, days off depending on staffing and program needs
• Weekends as needed
• Ranch is operational 7 days per week May through October
• Work required in outdoor elements
• Live on property
• Be available to conduct night checks on horses

Classification/Benefits

• Independent 1099 Contractor- responsible for own health insurance, retirement, IRS filings
• Full Time-Seasonal, May-October (possibility for winter operations starting in 2024)
• Hourly - $18-$20/hour (DOE)
• Ability to pasture board one horse on site during May-October, hay and board provided. Owner responsible for grain, supplements, farrier and vet expenses. $300/Month.
• Stipend for General Liability Insurance ($750 annually)
• Housing provided onsite: SVHC Camper is available or can bring own camper/modular on site, full hookups provided
• Free Wifi at ranch

Facility Responsibilities

• Facility Repair and Maintenance under the direction of the Ranch Manager:
• Keep all facilities and structures on property clean and in good working order. Facilities include all barns, tack rooms, horse stalls, tool room, classroom, kitchen, restrooms, gravel driveways and parking areas, and other permanent or temporary buildings on site.
• Cleans and maintains all equine areas, including: pens, paddocks, pastures, loafing sheds, pony and mini barns/stalls, arenas, round pens and the outdoor halter and desensitizing equipment cabinets.
• Regularly check, maintain, and repair all fencing, including smooth wire, hot wire, wooden and portable panel fencing. Routine checking of electrical and wood fencing for safety and making repairs as needed.
• Ensures all T-Posts have adequate protective caps.
• General maintenance and appearance of property to include: mowing, weed control, seeding, landscaping and harrowing of fields/pasture and obstacle course.
• Bagging and removal of all trash in kitchen, classroom, restrooms and stable areas when full.
• Helps plan and gather required equipment and tools for volunteer work days.
• Ensures the facility is ready for all programs and lessons, special events and other activities such as obstacle course, open house, donor events. Work may include assistance in mowing, trimming, decorating, setting hay bales, seating, cleaning stalls as required.
• Cleaning and maintaining proper working order of barn equipment, feeding buckets, rakes, brooms, hoses, wheelbarrows, etc.
• Maintaining, watering and dragging arenas and round pens, watering barn aisle.
• Removal of snow and ice from driveway, outdoor parking areas and walkways.
• Reports to Ranch Manager any maintenance or repairs needed (including fencing, vehicle, equipment, facility, tractor attachments etc)
• Will request assistance from Ranch Manager as necessary to complete major repairs or projects. Volunteers to be coordinated as needed.
• Report immediately to Ranch Manager and ED any building systems that are not working such as heating, plumbing, electrical, propane, well and septic systems.
• Winter operations pending for 2024. Details will be provided at earliest approval of year round operations.

Equipment Responsibilities

• Maintaining all ranch equipment- tractor, ATV, trailers, trucks etc. in a clean and safe working condition. Performs equipment repairs as needed and/or coordinates with Ranch Manager or contractors to perform the work. Obtains at least two (2) bids for repairs over $500 to have ED present to the Board of Directors

Equine Responsibilities

• Daily distribution of hay/feed and required medicine to all horses in the morning before 9 am and evening before 7 pm- to include runs, paddocks, dry lots and pastures where horses are present.
• Use the tractor to replenish hay in all bale barns and round bale feeders as needed.
• Monitors hay inventory, reports to Ranch Manager when low on inventory. Responsible for the neatly stacking of hay and on hand inventory.
• Repair and maintain hay nets as needed.
• Daily filling of fresh water of all areas where horses reside. Weekly cleaning of troughs or as needed so water is clean and free of debris, mold and other items that are harmful to horses.
• Daily mucking of all areas where horses reside to include but not limited to: runs, stalls, pens, inside and outside stables, paddocks and arenas and moving of manure to designated stock piles. Delegate mucking tasks to appropriate volunteers if appropriate.
• Harrow dry lots as needed to disperse manure piles. Should be performed twice a month.
• Immediate notification by phone or in person to ED and Ranch Manager any horses that have escaped from their designated area. Available to assist in catching loose horses and fence repair.
• Available to perform night checks, night security, and assist with equine emergencies. Promptly notifies ED and Ranch Manager of any after hours emergencies.
• Assist at events and activities as requested. Assists with loading and unloading of horses for events as required.

Financial/Administrative Responsibilities

• Adheres to all SVHC organizational rules and policies, state and federal laws when conducting work on SVHC leased property.
• Models and promotes safe behaviors in all work environment in accordance with health and safety laws and SVHC policies
• Involved in resource management at the ranch. Demonstrates integrity, accountability and efficient stewardship of resources and equipment.
• Timely email submission of all approved ranch purchase receipts and invoices to the Executive Director for processing.
• Timely email submission of hours worked on pre-approved timesheet to Ranch Manager and Executive Director.
• Implements Maintenance Plan and Schedule for all farm-related equipment, vehicles, and machinery with the assistance of the barn staff and ensures completed work is logged daily

Skills & Qualifications

• Technical degree or related degree preferred.
• High School Education or GED and above
• Experience in livestock facility management and the ability to operate and maintain farm equipment.
• Comfortable driving a truck and trailer in varied situations.
• Comfortable operating and maintaining ranch tractor, training can be provided.
• High level of commitment to the care and well-being of all animals on SVHC property
• Reliable, efficient and productive work ethic with the ability to work independently, predictable attendance and punctuality
• Ability to take direction and coaching
• Organized with attention to detail and efficient time management, including self direction and has a proactive mindset
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate in a respectful and friendly manner and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to work with a team and volunteers in a collaborative manner. Must be adaptable and flexible. Ability to interact with a diverse group of people.
• Maintains a positive work environment.

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license.
• Has current liability insurance as independent contractor
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check.
• Ability to withstand various weather conditions and physical demands
• Ability to stand for multiple hours
• Can stoop, bend and do manual labor
• Can lift 50-75 pounds

We are an equal opportunity organization and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you are passionate about ranch work, have the required qualifications and experience, and are looking for a new challenge, we want to hear from you.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Evening shift
• Morning shift
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Silverthorne, CO 80498: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person