The primary duty of each of our staff members involves guest relations. We are here to serve the needs of our guests and provide them with an outstanding vacation. More specifically, you will be expected to learn their names, engage them in conversation, answer their questions, assist them in any way that you can, and, in sum, be friendly and an ambassador and host for the Vista Verde Ranch.
Below are descriptions for the positions we fill each season. In addition to these specific jobs, there are many other tasks to do on a ranch - many of them unglamorous - and at some point we will require your participation in them. These duties could include cleaning and maintaining buildings and grounds, cleaning ranch vehicles, hauling trash, doing dishes, etc. We would expect you to perform each of these chores to the best of your ability. Again, if you are not willing to pitch in on these chores, we are not the place for you.
Flyfishing Guide: Flyfishing guides need to be knowledgeable
about small water flyfishing, have sound instructional techniques, and have a
high degree of patience. As above, if there are no trips going out, guides are
expected to help out in other areas of the ranch.
Hiking/Mountain Biking Guide: Our guides lead hike and bike
trips into the surrounding Routt National Forest. Guides need solid outdoor
skills, a high degree of fitness, and an outgoing demeanor. If there are no
trips going out, guides are expected to help out in other areas of the ranch.
Housekeeper: Housekeepers are responsible for the daily
upkeep and cleanliness of all public ranch buildings and guest accommodations.
When the cleaning is complete, housekeepers are expected to help out in other
areas of the ranch, such as gardening and other ranch hand chores.
Kid Wrangler: Kid Wranglers lead both trail rides and other
activities for young people ages 6-17. Experience with both children and horses
is strongly preferred. The hours are long, and the position requires high-energy
people who can keep up with the kids.
Kitchen Prep: Our kitchen is renowned for producing high
quality, gourmet fare. This individual helps our chefs in all aspects of kitchen
operation, including preparation of food for meals, simple baking, and light
cleaning. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to gain
experience in the culinary arts, or someone who simply enjoys cooking.
Ranch Hand: Landscaping, hot tub maintenance, town errands,
and general labor fall to the ranch hands. Experience with various tools,
mowers, manual transmissions and driving trailers is preferred, but not
required. This position can be physically demanding with long hours outside in
the sun.
Waitstaff: Responsibilities include set up of dining room
and outdoor meals, serving meals, simple food preparation, and daily cleaning of
the dining room. We also expect staff to learn the names and proper service of
the different styles of wine on our wine list. Waitstaff must be friendly and
able to anticipate the needs of our guests.
Wrangler: It is essential that wranglers have considerable
equine experience, as they are responsible for the safety of both our guests and
our animals. Wranglers prepare for and lead trail rides, as well as offer riding
instruction. Applicants need strong interpersonal skills, and must be willing to
work with both adults and children.
Front Desk/Nanny: This combination position involves several days a week helping out in the office, answering phones and general administrative duties. Two days a week, this person would take care of Stephanie's 2 children, one 3 years old and the other 3 months old. A friendly personality and willingness to help out as needed is a must, as well as a love of young children.
Housekeeper: Housekeepers are responsible for the daily upkeep and cleanliness of all public ranch buildings and guest accommodations. When the cleaning is completed, housekeepers are expected to help out in other areas of the ranch, such as snow removal and other ranch hand chores.
Nordic Ski Guide/Instructor: Our guides mainly lead backcountry ski and snowshoe trips into the surrounding Routt National Forest. Guides need solid outdoor skills, a high degree of fitness, and an outgoing demeanor. If there are no trips going out, guides are expected to help out in other areas of the ranch.
Ranch Hand: Snow removal, hot tub maintenance, town errands, and general labor fall to the ranch hands. Experience with various tools, snow removal equipment, and driving trailers is preferred, but not required. Willingness to work with children is a plus, for the times we have families staying with us.
Waitstaff: Responsibilities include set up of dining room, serving meals, simple food preparation, operating the fireplace, and daily cleaning of the dining room. We also expect staff to learn the names and proper service of the different styles of wine on our wine list. Waitstaff must be friendly and able to anticipate the needs of our guests.
Wrangler: It is essential that wranglers have considerable equine experience, as they are responsible for the safety of both our guests and our animals. Wranglers prepare for and lead trail rides, as well as offer riding instruction. Wranglers also feed the herd daily using a draft team and hay sled, therefore knowledge of driving and harnessing is a plus. Applicants need strong interpersonal skills, and must be willing to work with both adults and children.
