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Wrangler/Guide (crossover position)
Smith Fork Ranch, located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains between Aspen and Telluride, specializes in farm-to-table cuisine, guest comfort and excellent service, with fly fishing, horseback riding and other out door activities available in a stunningly beautiful setting. Smith Fork Ranch prides itself on having an extensive wine cellar, luxurious guest accommodations in the rustic style, world class, small stream fly fishing, six trophy trout ponds and miles of riding trails in the national forest and wilderness. With a capacity of 26 guests per week, SFR employs energetic, hardworking, flexible, and team-oriented staff members who understand the main goal is to give guests a wonderful and memorable vacation experience. SFR employees are extremely flexible and friendly people. Every SFR staff member is expected to help out in other areas of the ranch when needed.
Job description:
The combination position of wrangler/fly fishing /guide requires a versatile, highly flexible individual who is capable of working with guests who wish to trail ride or those who want to fly fish our ponds or river, or participate in archery -- depending on the ranch needs on a daily basis. Individual may be giving riding lessons in the arena in the morning and taking fishermen to SFR upper ponds in the afternoon. Or, he or she may be called upon to help out hiking with guests in national forest or in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park or helping with other ranch tasks. This wrangler/ guide must be qualified to teach horsemanship skills to beginning, intermediate and advanced riders as well as to teach fly casting and fly fishing techniques to all levels of fly fishermen, including children or teens - and the basic techniques of archery to others.
Responsibilities include:
Provide safe atmosphere at all times, whether horseback riding or fly fishing, on the archery course or hiking on the ranch or in the national forest or wilderness areas surrounding the ranch - or when accompanying guests off ranch.
Show a genuine interest in guests, communicating stories and history about the ranch and the natural world.
Be a part of SFR team, contributing talents, enthusiasm, humor and supporting your fellow team members to provide our guests the best vacation possible.
Assist with ranch chores such as wood cutting, lawn care, housekeeping, washing vehicles, particularly on ranch turnover days
Contribute to overall guest ranch experience by participating in events such as staff/guest BBQ, Saturday night cookout, campfires, and dances.
Take part in evening dishwashing rotation (among all staff duty is about twice monthly)
Wrangler-specific Responsibilities:
Teach adults, teens and children western horsemanship skills for riding in the arena and mountainous wilderness.
Lead trail rides in National Forest and West Elk Wilderness
Give guests riding lessons and lead arena games on horseback such as steer soccer and team penning
Gather, feed, groom and saddle horses
Assist with care of sick/ injured animals, shoeing, and training of horse herd
Maintain and clean tack
Help keep corrals, tack shed, boot shack, mounting platform, and barn grounds in good order
Help clear and groom trails; maintain fences
Operate ranch equipment as needed (i.e. manure spreader, skid steer, gator, ranch truck)
Take photos of guests enjoying riding activities
Fly Fishing/Outdoor Guide-specific Responsibilities:
Teach adults, teens and children skills to fly fish SFR private waters -- trout ponds and Smith Fork of the Gunnison River
Guide hikes in the surrounding Gunnison National Forest and West Elk
Wilderness, including back country fishing forays.
Instruct casting clinics and fly fishing orientation
Keep Trout Central and other activity centers clean and organized and well stocked. Assist guests purchasing flies, tackle and fishing accessories.
Maintain adjoining shower room/bathroom, workout room, porch and storage area.
Help maintain SFR hiking and fishing trail system
Feed and monitor trout ponds, assist in stream management/monitoring
Assist in pre-season preparation and maintenance of other activity areas including archery range and course, kids Homestead Hangout, tree house, campfire and barbeque areas. Handle timely repair of ranch fly fishing and sports equipment
Take Photos of guests during activities
Requirements:
Calm and confident and upbeat attitude at all times
Willingness to accept new styles of instruction, both on the water and in the saddle
Ability to make conversation with anyone, regardless of age or interests
Past experience in hospitality/service industry as a guide or wrangler
Advanced riding capabilities. Cable of handling and training an inexperienced horse for riding in SFR guest riding program
Experience in teaching riding lessons in an arena setting
Advanced fly fishing ability
Ability to correctly "read" the water, choose the correct fishing equipment for stream and pond conditions
Ability to tie flies and demonstrate this skill to guests
Available to work May 1 - November 15; December 15,2011 - February 25,2012.
Position could be year long depending on ability/willingness to assist ranch foreman in ranch maintenance duties.
Ranch Schedule
Plan for 2011: Ranch is open for guests May 27 through early November. Reopens for guests December 19, 2011- February 21, 2012. Peak periods: mid June through September, and the winter holidays.
Compensation
Competitive compensation based on experience and skills. Includes meals, housing on ranch.
