Ranch Hand

Ranch Hand

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Job Title: Ranch Hand  

Region/Location: Colorado, Rocky Mountains 

Department:  Camp, OPP 

Occupational Job Group: Summer Camp 

Pay Range: $480 a week plus food and lodging (valued at $200) 

Reports To: Assistant Ranch Director and/or hiring manager 

Date: May-August (exact dates TBD) 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Terms: Seasonal, Full Time, Onsite 

Supervisory Responsibility: None 

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GENERAL PURPOSE: The Ranch Hand facilitates in the care and program at the barn/farm, gardens, and greenhouse areas at a Girl Scouts of Colorado (GSCO) camp property. This position may be required to complete additional operational duties as assigned by supervisors. Additionally, this role supports the property, hospitality, operational, program, health, & cabin leadership team as needed as part of the camp team.  A primary function of this, and every other job at camp, is to ensure that each member, guest and visitor receives the highest caliber of service. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES ***(Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job) 

General Responsibilities 

• Facilitate daily chores at farm/barn and greenhouse/garden areas, including, but not limited to, feeding, grooming, mucking, weeding, and watering.  

• Maintain and repair as needed the farm/barn and greenhouse/garden areas including fences, beds, pens, etc.   

• Help maintain the cleanliness, organization, and inventory of assigned areas.  

• Assess the needs of farm/barn and greenhouse/garden areas to develop and implement service projects.  

• Provide and/or support emergency procedures during on-site and off-site trip incidents. 

• Provide and/or support health and wellness practices.  

• Provide assistance/coverage as necessary to all additional operational and program staff.  

• Support the work of the cabin, health, site, kitchen, and housekeeping staff as needed. 

Program Responsibilities 

• Assist with barn, horse, garden/greenhouse, woodworking, and homesteading program implementation.  

Camper Leadership & Supervision  

• Support & counsel campers in daily living, camp activities, and developing peer relationships.  

Staff Leadership & Supervision 

• Train & orient of proper use of specialized areas, materials, and delivery of program.  

Administration  

• Manage administrative responsibilities in a timely, independent, and detail-oriented manner.  

• Work on the development, review, and assist in the creation of daily, weekly, and activity schedules, in cooperation with other staff, based on camp program, camper planning, and camp goals.  

• Provide & participate in camper and staff feedback forms as necessary for the overall camp’s strategic planning.  

• Participate in regular staff meetings and training for planning purposes, communication resolutions, and carrying out assignments.  

• Coordinate and communicate schedules to campers & staff as necessary.  

• Carry out ongoing observations to assure that goals and expectations of leadership & program delivery are positive and appropriate. 

• Interact with digital systems including Slack, Instagram, & Facebook.  

• Respect the confidential nature of all information pertaining to staff, volunteers, and campers. 

• Follow policies, procedures, and standards set by the American Camping Association, Girl Scouts Safety Activity Checkpoints, Colorado Department of Health and Human Services, and other certifying industry organizations. 

PRIMARY CROSS-FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• In accordance with the philosophy of Girl Scouts of Colorado, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description.  

• Support the efforts and commitments of Girl Scouts of Colorado in pluralism and diversity throughout the organization and within each community served. 

• Embrace diversity and inclusiveness by contributing to positive relationships between diverse racial, ethnic, and social groups in the Council as a whole and between employees and volunteers. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and/or Formal Training  

• High school diploma or GED.  

• Must have current OR willingness to obtain the following certifications: First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, Universal Standard Precautions. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience 

• Preferred experience or desire for working with children.  

• Preferred experience in animal care and safe practices around equine & farm animals.  

• Preferred experience in gardening and plant care.   

• Preferred experience working in an outdoor program and/or camp setting. 

• Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.  

• Willing to provide innovative and engaging program development and facilitation in an informal, outdoor setting. 

Additional Requirements 

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check acceptable to GSCO standards. 

• Must be at least 18 years of age.   

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED  

• This position works with program related equipment: 

• Horse & animal feed: bales and bags (roughly 50lbs-75lbs).  

• Equine & barn animals.  

• Riding equipment: saddles, bridles, saddle pads, etc.  

• Gardening tools, fertilizer etc. 

• Basic power tools: drill, saw etc. 

• This position works occasionally with program related equipment in areas such as hiking, hot elements, archery, and other outdoor skills activities. 

• Subject to injuries from falls, accidental strikes, cuts from equipment, etc. 

• Handheld radios.  

• As directed, golf carts, gator, trucks, and leased vehicles.  

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES  

• Camps are at altitudes of 8,000-9,500 feet.  

• Ability to work non–traditional hours including evenings, weekends, extended overnight periods and extended work hours, up to 22 hours per day. 

• Required daily, frequent exposure to highly stimulating and loud environments. 

• Program activities are carried out in the out-of-doors often in inclement weather. 

• Willing to be on-call at all times, for health, emergency purposes, camper supervision, and program implementation. 

• Required to live on-site in shared housing. (Staff living quarters are shared with other staff and/or campers). 

• Requires extensive walking/hiking >2miles/day over uneven and unpaved terrain.  

• Able to carry, lift and/or transfer at least 75 pounds. 

• Ability to hear, listen, see, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, use hands & fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands & arms, and balance. 

• Must have interpersonal skills/behaviors (i.e. working with individuals with a range of moods & behaviors in a tactful, congenial personal manner, so as not to alienate, or antagonize them).  

 ***Employee signature below indicates the employee's understanding of the requirements, essential duties & responsibilities of the position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Please contact your supervisor/manager or HR with any questions. 

GSCO will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with known disabilities and employees whose work requirements interfere with a religious belief, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship or a direct threat to the Girl Scouts of Colorado. If you need such accommodation, contact your supervisor or Human Resources immediately to begin the interactive accommodation process.