Smith Fork Ranch

Andrew Harper ~ The Ultimate Resource for the Luxury Traveler

Head of Housekeeping

Smith Fork Ranch is an upscale guest ranch in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The ranch specializes in fine dining, excellent service, extensive wine cellar and luxurious guest accommodations in the rustic style. Our main activity offerings are trail riding and fly fishing, with other activities that include hiking, archery, team penning cattle on horseback, and a very active children’s program. The Hodgson family has carefully restored and refurbished the old ranch while retaining its original character. A log guest lodge with five bedrooms with private baths, four log guest cabins, a hunting lodge and cookhouse provide an intimate and genuinely western atmosphere. Although rustic in feeling, there are luxurious touches – slate tiled bathrooms, handmade soaps and lotions, comfy robes and down comforters. Living quarters are furnished with primitive American antiques and original American art and crafts from western and Native American artisans. With a capacity of 26-28 guests per week and a staff of approximately 27, SFR employs energetic, hardworking and flexible individuals who understand the main goal is to give guests a wonderful and memorable vacation.

Job description:

Cabin Hosts at SFR are responsible for maintaining one of the most important features of the ranch- the accommodations. Head of Housekeeping oversees all Cabin Hosts and is responsible for the servicing of ranch accommodations and other ranch buildings. Days are spent moving to and from housekeeping to cabins and ranch buildings for daily cleaning, weekly turn-over’s, and making sure each room is beautiful. The Cabin Hosts’ attention to detail helps create a comfortable, inviting, immaculate environment for guests to feel at home in. Days are long, physically demanding, but filled with the camaraderie of other cabin hosts.

Responsibilities include:

Responsible for special SFR ambience in all guest quarters including small touches such as fresh flowers, well chosen books or magazines in guest rooms and up-to-date guest information books, etc.
Supervise, schedule, and work with team of full or part-time housekeepers.
Direct the cleaning of guest rooms, cabins, lower lodge, bathrooms, and other guest areas on a daily basis
Oversee laundering of SFR linens and guest laundry
Spot check cleaning of guest accommodations for quality control daily
During summer peak season direct the Sunday ranch turnover days, utilizing other SFR staff members as needed
Assure laundry area and linen storage areas are organized and clean at all times
Careful servicing of guest quarters – make beds, straighten up rooms, change towels and clean bathrooms, daily. Change sheets mid week during summer peak season.
Clean guest accommodations and other guest areas thoroughly on Sundays, (ranch changeover day) in readiness for new guests – cleaning dresser drawers, cabinets, dusting, vacuuming, rotating feather beds, changing flowers in rooms, etc
Evening turn-downs
Assure welcome note, gift basket, and floral arrangements are in cabins for new guests before arrival (maintaining flowers during the week, to keep fresh/watered, and clear basket on Tuesdays)
Clean bathrooms in Cookhouse
Assure that massage room, hot tub, shower room, lower bathrooms etc serviced daily and porches/decks swept, hanging flower pots watered
Open Cabins and other Ranch buildings for guest season
Close Cabins and other ranch buildings at end of guest season including packing up any pillows, duvets, bed toppers and overseeing cleaning or repairing of each item as necessary
Inventory of all linens, supplies, and amenities and preparing orders for needed items in time for guest season
Compile list of repairs or improvements for all ranch buildings at end of season
Contribute to the whole guest ranch experience with participation in weekly events such as Staff/Guest luncheon, Saturday night cookout, campfire, and dances, and other special events.=
Take part in evening dish duty rotation (amongst all available staff- between once and twice a month)
Assist with any ranch chore or activity as needed or directed such as lawn care, driving for off-ranch excursions, washing vehicles, etc.
Maintain a level of dedication and pride in the work at Smith Fork Ranch by completing each job to the best of your ability
Be a part of the SFR team-contributing talents, input, and enthusiasm

Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years of age
Housekeeping and/or previous guest ranch experience required
·Management experience
Must be able to lift 30 pounds
Must be thorough and have attention to detail
Must wear the proper uniform (SFR tee shirt or collared shirt and clean jeans, pants or shorts)