Ranch Managers - Madison Valley, MT

We are a large, working ranch in the Madison Valley in Montana that used to operate as an eco-hotel, but now is a private ranch for the recreational use of three partners, their family and friends. We do not have paying customers but try to operate as a five-star retreat. Our guests come to hike, look at wildlife, fly-fish, ride horses, sit in our hot springs, shoot the clay course or just relax. 
 

Ideally, we would find a couple that could fulfill the roles of a facilities manager and a lodge assistant.  We do not have a large team here, as we are not consistently occupied.  We work on projects when guests are not here and then attend to the guests when we have them.  These are jobs for self-motivated people who work well with a list of assignments and can follow through and complete tasks with limited oversight.  These positions require a lot of flexibility, as we frequently do not know exactly when or how many guests may arrive.  2019 was an average year for the ranch (2020 was obviously very different) and over the course of the 210 day season, we had guests on the ranch for 72 days, with an average group size of 10 people.  As you can see, it’s not a brutal schedule...but you can also imagine that it gets busy, tiring and stressful at times, like any job.  When there aren’t guests on the ranch there are always things to do, depending on your skills and interests.  We strive for a congenial environment, as the people that come to visit are coming only to have fun.

The facilities manager would mainly 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.  

There are many other duties associated with this position, depending on the applicant’s skill set, such as:

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

·Assisting with the guest equestrian program

·Clearing roads of downfall as it arises

·Cleaning the natural hot springs tub

·Staining and painting furniture and cabins

·Stocking firewood

·Assisting in ranch irrigation and seeding projects

·Assisting in various construction projects, for example expanding the fishing pond or assisting other contractors with a painting project

·Coordinating the fishing program, marking fishing spots, equipment upkeep, lessons, guiding on property,  etc.

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

·Being in charge of pest control

·Washing cars and trucks, as needed

·Taking lodge and construction garbage to the dump located just off the ranch

The ability to safely operate and drive tractors, lawn mowers and other ranch equipment is a plus.    

The Lodge Assistance position consists of two main things: meal service and housekeeping.  We also count on the lodge assistant to keep an eye on the general cleanliness of the lodge and vehicles and help sweep the main rooms.  The lodge assistant will need to reset from the last group and clean and organize for the next group. There are always little projects we can work on...setting up picnic areas, helping with keeping the indoor and outdoor flowers looking nice, detailing the cars, etc. 

Specific duties would include:

Daily

·Make sure the Lodge and main cabins are maintained as required. Cleaning and resetting the facilities in between groups or as needed. (Most of the times the groups are spaced out so there is plenty time to do the cleaning slowly, over a few days. If needed we can hire extra help for the deep cleaning of the lodge and main cabins.

·Water and upkeep plants and flowers that are not on drip lines around the Lodge and small cabins

As Needed

·Front of house duties, such as serving and bartending

·Set up / break down table for guests

·Assist chef in the kitchen, prep, plating, cleanup, etc.

·Preparing rooms for guests, including making beds, resetting towels and light housekeeping

·Pull sheets and take to the local laundry between groups

·Touch up rooms and main guest areas 

·Assist with keeping vehicles clean during guest visits

·Organize laundry room and pantry

·Assist the managers with guest services and other hospitality-related tasks

·Organizing and cleaning the small gym 

·Managing lodge supplies inventories 

We like to take advantage of employees’ skill sets and let them apply those skills to whatever area of the ranch would benefit from them.  While the basic jobs are outlined above, there are other areas in which we need assistance.  One example of this would be our horse program.  We have seven horses that guests can ride and they require some upkeep. The cowboys take care of the basics, as in vet visits and horseshoeing, but we will need someone to ride them for exercise, take guests on rides, bring them in from the pasture every day, give basic lessons, put kids on horses for photos, etc.  If this is of interest to the couple we hire, everyone’s life is easier, as the house is very close to the guest horse barn.

We look at compensation in terms of a total package and it depends on the experience and skills of the applicants.  We offer a fully furnished private house or cabin with all utilities paid, including satellite internet and DirecTV, telephone, electricity, propane and water.  And your cabin is a nice place; it’s a log cabin close to the lodge and you will have to be careful of moose right outside your door. We are also able to provide some game meat and ranch-raised beef.  We should have an extra vehicle for you to use around the ranch and we do provide you with a ranch credit card to use for gas when traveling for ranch business.  The credit card is also used when purchasing supplies, so you do not have to deal with reimbursements.

Discussing salary…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 summer season.  Each year we have also paid out holiday bonuses for a job well done.  You can see from the attached link that lodge managers in Montana make an average of $46,000 a year, and these positions are not for managing the lodge, but taking care of it, basically:

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/How-Much-Does-a-Lodge-Manager-Make-a-Year--in-Montana

These jobs would be on a contract basis from May 1st through the end of November/ early December, so a monthly salary for each person in the $3,500 range could be expected for an applicant who can fill all of the above positions.  Pay can be arranged individually or as a couple.  

We would hope that this relationship would continue next year, starting in April or May.  You would have five consecutive months off a year, freeing you up to do whatever you want...travel, contract gigs, whatever.  The winters are tough here, so we close down the majority of the ranch.  Employees are free to leave belongings on the ranch over the winter, but the houses are winterized and would be difficult to access during certain months.  

We do not 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.

One phrase we don’t use around the ranch is “that’s not my job.”  Everyone will get swamped once in a while and it’s up to the rest of us to try and help when we can.  Regular, predictable and timely attendance is required, as is the ability to get along and work effectively with others.  A valid driver’s license and a permit to work in the United States are also required.