Ranch Hand

Return to Freedom is a non-profit organization which operates a sanctuary for hundreds of horses in a few locations, two of which are in the Central Coast of California. The main facility is in Lompoc California with occasional work in San Luis Obispo as needed. The organization is looking for honest, responsible individuals who care about the animals in their care and take pride in their work. Our focus is to provide high quality humane & compassionate care to the animals daily, and to do so with respect for the animal's safety, our own safety, the safety of our co-workers.

Please send resume. References will be required before hire. Full time or part time ok. HOUSING NOT PROVIDED.

REPORTS TO: Reports to Equine Manager.

OBJECTIVE:

Ranch hands at Return to Freedom are the foundation of the sanctuary and a critical part of the team, providing the feed and care for the animals and maintenance for all daily operations. Only those with experience need apply. You do not need to be an expert but you must have basic understanding and sensibility around horses and able to identify when an animal is in pain or distress and needs attention.

We need a team player to work with staff to deliver daily feed, water and care of the horses. Help with repairs, maintenance, improvements, fencing, grounds maintenance. Professional, respectful of the organization's vehicles, property, equipment and tools. We invite those who take pride in their work, take direction, and work well with a team. Salary dependent on experience and proven work ethic.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Outdoors and normal ranch and barn conditions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Daily Feeding - Follow schedule and pay attention to any changes
• Daily Watering- Make sure troughs are filled/functioning & that the pastures have mineral blocks
• Daily Cleaning: Stables/coralls/troughs, barns and outbuildings, trailers, vehicles, Equipment operation and maintenance
• Pay attention to understand the needs of Individual horses that are part of larger herds, report any concerns health and well being of all horses
• Work with ranch staff to maintain safe, neat & organized facilities including stalls and corrals and all horse enclosures
• Maintain standards of safety, cleanliness, care, maintenance throughout property
• Alert Ranch Manager or Equine Manager immediately of any: Sick or injured horses, feed and supplement inventory needing to be ordered, well/water issues, safety concerns. broken water lines, fences or gates, etc.
• Pasture Grading
• Pipe repair
• Welding
• Fencing & fence , gate repair
• Operate ranch equipment safely and take care of equipment
• Operate power tools and use all tools safely and responsibly
• Ability to learn to operate hydraulic squeeze chute safely and humanely
• Job may involve; Moving unhandled wild horses through pastures and alleyways and loading wild horses into stock trailers as needed
• Safety conscious and follows the organization's safety protocol
• Drive trailers & transport horses if needed
• Check and maintain safe fence lines and gates
• Help load, move or hold horses
• Help maintain vehicles in clean condition (including chute and all equipment) *report any repairs needed
• Work with ranch and equine staff, contractors, and volunteers on ranch projects as needed
• Other duties, as assigned.

NOTE: This description incorporates the most typical duties performed. It is recognized that other related duties not specifically mentioned may also be performed. The inclusion of those duties would not alter the overall evaluation of this occupation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proactive, positive, Can do attitude
• Able to bend, stoop and lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis and move up to 110 pounds on a regular basis (hay) safely
• Ability to move safely around with horses of all ages, levels of training and difficult horses
• Ability to move safely around stallions
• Experience working as a team in ranch operations
• Experience operating and maintaining ranch equipment and tools
• Experience with fencing and repairing water lines
• Welding, plumbing, electrical, building /repairs a plus

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

High school diploma required

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• Valid Drivers License
• Honest, professional and polite
• Self starter, responsible, mature
• Dedicated to caring for the horses humanely, calmly, safely
• Work ethic: “whatever it takes” attitude
• Ability to solve problems
• Experience working around horses calmly
• Ability to multi-task, handle multiple priorities and be flexible
• ABILITY TO WORK SAFELY AT ALL TIMES
• Ability to take Direction from supervisors and peers
• Dedicated to caring for the horses and the ranch, “whatever it takes” attitude
• Ability to discern an equine emergency and how to get help
• Understanding and compliance with all safety protocol
• Ability to discern what you do not know, when to ask questions and who to ask
• Ability to operate horse trailer and truck and load haul horses safely to vet if needed
• Working knowledge of basic computer office software (Windows, Word), as well as the ability to use the Internet for research
• Willing to fast track learning any new programs relevant to increasing job results if needed
• Independent, flexible, dedicated
• Strong commitment to RTF’s Mission
• Ability to work in a team work environment and to interact with people politely, professionally and productively.
• Ability to work independently, efficiently and prioritize tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to complete tasks timely and to work effectively under deadlines.
• Ability to handle multiple projects at the same time.
• Ability to delegate tasks and follow-up to ensure that they are done properly and on-time.
• Ability to reason and solve problems independently.
• Ability to remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations.
• Ability to hear and understand spoken communications.
• Ability to speak with other people in a clearly
• Ability to sit, stand-up, bend, stoop, twist for periods two to three hours or more at one time.
• Ability to use basic mathematics to solve problems.
• Ability to understand written words and sentences.
• Ability to be organized and detail oriented.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders on an occasional basis and to maneuver in confined spaces.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
RTF has provided hand sanitizer and disinfectant generously around the ranch- in all vehicles, bathrooms, offices, break areas, fee and vet rooms. Staff all have masks and practice social distancing.

Experience:

• horse ranch: 2 years (Required)
• ranch: 2 years (Required)
• Tractor: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $19