Couple Wanted for Montana Guest Ranch Positions

We are a working guest ranch in the Madison Valley in Montana that used to operate as an eco-hotel, but now is a private cattle ranch for the recreational use of three partners, their families and friends. We do not have any paying customers (other than some photoshoots), but try to operate as a five-star retreat. Our guests come to hike, look at wildlife, fly-fish, ride horses, , shoot the clay course, hunt in the fall or just relax. 

We are looking for a couple that can help us fulfill two positions in our operation: Facilities Maintenance Hand and Housekeeping and Guest Services Attendant.  We close the ranch for the winter, so these jobs would only be through November.  We open back up in May and would hope to continue employment at that time.

Facilities Maintenance Hand

 This position consists of two main areas of focus.  The Facilities Manager would be in charge of maintenance issues that arise on the ranch, coordinating with sub-contractors to get the problem resolved.  These issues include HVAC systems, plumbing, water wells, basic vehicle maintenance, generators, sprinkler systems, etc.  The other area of focus is the general upkeep of the lodge vehicles and the grounds, which includes washing vehicles, keeping the porch areas clean, garbage runs, etc.

 There are many other duties associated with this position, such as:

·      Maintaining and running sporting clay and long-range shooting ranges

·      Clearing roads of downfall as it arises

·      Power-washing the natural hot springs tub and cabin maintenance

·      Being in charge of pest control

·      Washing cars and trucks

·      Staining and painting furniture and cabins, as needed

·      Stocking firewood

·      Assisting in ranch irrigation and seeding projects

·      Assisting in various construction projects

·      Helping with the landscaping: weed spraying and removal of weeds from driveways, walkways and fire pits

·      Taking lodge and construction garbage to the county collection bins located just off the ranch

Guest Services Attendant

The Guest Services Attendant position consists of a few areas of focus: Housekeeping, meal service and bartending. There are always little projects that arise.  Usually, there will be plenty time in between the groups to reset the lodge and cabins. 

-       Cleaning the main building and cabins. During the presence of guests, light housekeeping.

-       Laundry and ironing sheets, with our commercial roller

-       Meal service and bartending (sometimes it will be picnic style)

-       Upkeep of the indoor and patios flowers

We look at compensation in terms of a total package.  We can offer a fully furnished private cabin with all utilities paid, including internet, telephone, electricity, propane and water.  

We are also able to provide ground game meat.  We provide you with a ranch credit card to use for gas when traveling for ranch business and for miscellaneous expenses, so you do not have to deal with reimbursements.  

Discussing salary… it is dependent on experience and we have found that, with the housing and utilities portions of their monthly expenses taken care of, people are able to really build their savings over the season.  Each year we have also paid out holiday bonuses for a job well done. 

We don’t provide health insurance to ranch employees.  We found that people all have different needs and there is no one size fits plan that would make sense. We do ask for the applicant to have his/her own insurance. The salary will be competitive, so we ask for the applicants to have or acquire the health insurance that fits their needs.

One phrase we don’t like to use around the ranch is “that’s not my job.”  We strive for a congenial environment, as the people that come to visit are coming to have fun.

Regular, predictable and timely attendance is required, as is the ability to get along and work effectively with others and in a small team.  A valid driver’s license and a permit to work in the United States are also required.