During the summer (December - March), we have a few paid positions available for people with applicable skill-sets, as well as several work-trade positions. If you're interested in any of the positions and feel that you'd be a good fit, please fill out the application below. Do not apply for a horse guide position unless you have a very solid riding background, preferably with guiding experience. Applicants should be able to commit to the full season (December 1 through end of March).
We do not operate on a fixed schedule; workdays fluctuate with the comings and goings of guest groups and the various happenings around the ranch. We do work long days, but follow the tradition of the siesta, often breaking for several hours during the hottest part of the day. Ranch activities sometimes dictate that we begin our work in the very early morning, or work beyond nightfall. Flexibility, motivation, and stamina are a must. We make sure the work is balanced by time off to rest, ride, and explore.
Staff are housed in rustic accommodations, generally in a shared room. Meals are prepared in an outdoor kitchen and shared communally. A laundry machine is available at the volunteer house. There is limited satellite internet.
We expect our staff to contribute with a positive and proactive attitude, to embrace the opportunity to experience life apart from modern conveniences, and to respect every individual in our diverse, multi-cultural community.
Head wrangler (filled for '24-'25 season):
The head wrangler is responsible for overseeing the whereabouts of our 70-horse herd, paying attention to the health and wellness of individual horses, managing the tack, and guiding day rides and pack trips. Extensive riding experience required, with preference given to people with experience supervising others, backcountry guiding, mule/horse packing, and equine vet knowledge. Flexibility, organization, and communication skills are a must. Current Wilderness First Responder certification required. This is a paid position.
Horse riding guides:
Horses are a daily part of life at Ranquilco. Applicants must have solid applicable experience with horses, with a background guiding all levels of riders - beginner to advanced. Outdoor leadership experience is a big plus, as is certification as a Wilderness First Responder.
Horse trainer (filled for '24-'25 season):
We are looking for a skilled horse trainer to start several colts and continue work on a group of 3 and 4 year olds. These horses are a criollo-quarterhorse mix. Must have solid experience in natural horsemanship training. Please detail your training experience and who you've studied with in the application, and email one 2-minute video of you performing groundwork and one 2-minute video of you riding to [email protected].
Builders:
We have a few spaces open for skilled builders. Ranquilco is a fun and challenging place to work. We mill all of our own lumber onsite and work with many of the local materials which lend themselves to natural design and creativity. Must have construction experience.
Staff Cook (filled for '24-'25 season):
The staff cook works in a covered outdoor kitchen outfitted with a large wood-fired oven, a well-designed fire pit, stainless steel sinks and ample counter space. Must be comfortable cooking with fire. Meals need not be "fancy", but it's important they are delicious, nutritious, and filling. The cook receives fresh produce from the garden and has access to an unlimited supply of ranch-raised meat (primarily goat). Other staple ingredients come from town. The position requires innovation and flexibility to make use of what is available without a grocery store on hand. In addition to providing lunches 6 days/week, the staff cook also manages the outdoor kitchen area, assigning responsibilities to members of the community to complete chores, wash dishes or cook community dinners.
Gardener (filled for '24-'25 season):
The gardener manages our large-scale organic garden to provide the community with fresh produce throughout the season. Must be comfortable starting everything from seed, have experience working in organic horticulture (without chemical fertilizers/pesticides, and using compost and manure as the primary source of amendments), and enthusiastic to take on the joys and challenges of food production in a remote location, with minimal access to garden supply or hardware stores. The garden must arrive by the end of September and stay until the beginning of April.
