Ranch Operations & Maintenance Lead

Company:

River Bend Ranch Location:

Durango, CO Job Type:

Part-Time / Seasonal with

Year-Round Potential Pay:

$25-$30 per hour, depending on experience and skill set

Expected Hours:

10-25 hours per week, depending on season, events, weather, and project needs About River Bend Ranch River Bend Ranch is a wedding, lodging, and event venue in Durango, Colorado. We host weddings, private events, nonprofit events, lodging stays, and special celebrations in a beautiful ranch setting. We are looking for a reliable, hands-on Ranch Operations & Maintenance Lead to help keep the property clean, functional, attractive, safe, and event-ready. Position Summary The Ranch Operations & Maintenance Lead is responsible for helping maintain the physical property at River Bend Ranch. This includes grounds, landscaping, irrigation, sprinklers, roads, parking areas, trees, brush, outdoor spaces, small repairs, seasonal prep, equipment care, and event-readiness projects. This is a hands-on property operations role. The right person is practical, reliable, self-directed, good with tools, comfortable working outdoors, and able to notice what needs to be fixed before guests arrive. This is not a wedding planning or sales role. The focus is keeping the ranch looking great and operating smoothly before tours, lodging stays, weddings, and events. Responsibilities Grounds and Property Readiness Keep the property clean, organized, and presentable before tours, lodging stays, weddings, and events Prepare guest-facing areas including ceremony sites, barn surroundings, River House areas, cabin areas, RV areas, driveways, walkways, parking areas, and outdoor gathering spaces Pick up branches, debris, trash, and visible messes around the property Weed, trim, blow, rake, clean, and touch up areas as needed Help place wood chips, mulch, dirt, gravel, and landscaping materials where needed Check outdoor areas before events and flag anything unsafe, messy, unfinished, or not guest-ready Sprinklers, Irrigation, and Water-Related Support Inspect and help fix broken sprinkler heads and basic irrigation issues Monitor dry spots, wet spots, leaks, puddling, drainage issues, and lawn problems Assist with basic water filters and water-system maintenance as assigned Help with lawn-watering and irrigation needs as trained and approved Assist with pump-related tasks when trained and approved Report larger water, septic, pump, well, or irrigation issues quickly to ownership Landscaping, Trees, Brush, and Weed Control Remove or cut back willows, brush, dead branches, weeds, and overgrowth around event areas, buildings, paths, RV areas, and water features Help keep tree lines, fence lines, paths, and guest-facing areas clean and maintained Assist with removing unwanted growth and keeping the property looking clean and intentional Help maintain wood chip areas, flower beds, tree bases, and landscaped areas Assist with firewood cutting, stacking, and cleanup when appropriate Road, Driveway, and Parking Maintenance Add dirt, gravel, or fill to low spots in driveways and parking areas as directed Help reduce puddles, ruts, soft spots, and drainage problems Monitor roads, parking areas, and guest traffic areas before and after events Report major grading, erosion, mud, snow, or access issues to ownership Equipment Operation and Care The ideal candidate should be comfortable using or willing to be trained on ranch and property maintenance equipment, including: Bobcat John Deere equipment EGO mower Diesel tank Pump systems Equipment attachments Basic hand tools Basic power tools Landscaping tools Mowing, trimming, blowing, raking, and cleanup equipment Pressure washer and basic cleaning equipment when needed This role may include operating equipment for mowing, property cleanup, moving materials, driveway/parking maintenance, brush cleanup, landscaping support, and event-readiness projects. Only trained and approved team members may operate equipment. Safe, careful, and responsible equipment use is required. Equipment Maintenance Help keep ranch equipment clean, fueled, organized, and ready for use Assist with basic equipment checks and maintenance Monitor oil, filters, tire pressure, fluids, battery condition, and operating hours as trained Help with seasonal equipment storage and winterization Report broken, unsafe, missing, or poorly functioning tools and equipment Help keep sheds, work areas, and storage areas organized Use tools and equipment responsibly and safely Small Repairs and Projects Perform basic maintenance and repair tasks as assigned Assist with sanding, staining, sealing, painting, building, touch-up work, minor carpentry, and small improvement projects Help with cabin, barn, shed, deck, outdoor, and guest-facing improvement projects as assigned Build or repair basic ranch items such as shelves, tables, benches, storage improvements, covers, and property features when within skill set Identify when a job requires a licensed professional or outside contractor Pest, Wildlife, and Property Protection Help monitor and address voles, moles, mice, and other pest issues Watch for animal damage, burrows, chewed trees, nests, or areas guests may notice Help protect lawns, landscaping, trees, docks, sheds, buildings, and venue areas from avoidable damage Report hazards, damage, or recurring problems early Seasonal Prep and Shutdown Assist with spring cleanup and pre-season property preparation Help prepare the ranch before peak wedding season Assist with fall cleanup, winterization, and end-of-season storage Help protect outdoor furniture, tools, hoses, irrigation components, pumps, docks, sheds, and equipment from weather damage Support month-by-month maintenance priorities based on season and event schedule Event and Vendor Support Assist with property-related event prep when needed Help make sure vendor access areas, parking areas, paths, and load-in areas are clean and functional Support event staff with property-related needs before or after events Help with post-event property checks and cleanup support when needed Communicate any property damage, trash issues, broken items, lawn damage, or vendor-related problems after events Ideal Candidate The ideal person for this role is: Reliable and punctual Self-directed and able to work independently Hands-on and practical Comfortable working outdoors Good with tools and basic repairs Comfortable operating or learning ranch/property equipment Able to prioritize around weddings and events Detail-oriented enough to notice what guests will see Comfortable with physical work Good at communicating problems early Respectful of the property, guests, vendors, and event staff Willing to do both important small tasks and larger property projects Qualifications Preferred experience includes: Ranch, farm, landscaping, maintenance, or property-management experience Experience operating Bobcat, John Deere, mower, tractor, skid steer, or similar equipment Irrigation or sprinkler repair experience Basic carpentry or handyman skills Equipment and tool experience Groundskeeping experience Event venue, hospitality, or guest-facing property experience Physical Requirements Ability to work outside in changing weather Ability to walk large areas of the property Ability to lift, carry, bend, rake, shovel, trim, weed, clean, and move materials Ability to safely use basic hand tools, power tools, and property maintenance equipment when trained Ability to work around uneven ground, water areas, sheds, barns, trees, and outdoor ranch conditions Schedule This is a part-time role with hours that vary based on season, weather, event schedule, and project needs. Expected hours are typically 10-25 hours per week. Peak wedding and event season may require more availability, especially before weddings, tours, lodging stays, and major events. Some short-notice availability is helpful for urgent maintenance or property issues. Compensation $25-$30 per hour depending on experience, reliability, skill set, equipment ability, and ability to handle ranch/property maintenance work independently. To Apply Please submit your resume and a short note about your maintenance, landscaping, ranch, equipment, handyman, or property-care experience.

Pay:

$25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule

Work Location:

In person