Lead Wrangler

Employer:        Turner Enterprises Management, LLC
Position:           Lead Wrangler
Location:          Vermejo Reserve – Raton, NM
Type:                Full Time Term/Non-Exempt/Benefits Eligible
Term Length:    10 Months

Housing:           Yes

Are you passionate about the open range and working with horses in breathtaking landscapes? Have you dreamed of working for a world-class hospitality brand which boasts some of North America’s largest, privately-owned landscapes?

At Ted Turner Reserves, we connect people with nature by providing one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences in luxury settings, and we’re looking for passionate, energetic individuals to be a part of our growing team.  

Our premier Reserve, Vermejo, is currently seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Lead Wrangler who is passionate about providing exceptional horseback riding experiences and creating exciting and unforgettable moments for guests. 

ABOUT THE POSITION
As a Lead Wrangler, your role will be crucial in ensuring a world-class experience for our guests by leading engaging trail rides, supporting the wrangling team, and maintaining a safe and pristine barn environment.

You will also be responsible for: 

• Working primarily in the barn.
• Guiding guests on unforgettable trail rides, sharing your knowledge of Vermejo’s terrain, local wildlife and history of the area.
• Assisting other Wranglers with daily tasks that include wrangling horses and preparing equipment to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Regularly exercising and conditioning our horse herd to maintain their health and readiness for guest activities.
• Assisting in feeding, watering, grooming and monitoring the horse herd well-being in the Activities Barn, Castle Rock and other locations.
• Maintaining the upkeep and maintenance of the barn, corrals, stalls and surrounding areas ensuring cleanliness and organization.  Performing regular inspections to ensure all facilities are safe and in excellent condition.
• Accurately maintaining records of horse health and vaccinations, feeding schedules, exercise and riding routines, and document any concerns or incidents promptly.
• Maintaining and repairing tack and riding gear as needed and ensure everything is in pristine condition.
• Upholding the highest safety standards for both guests and staff. Conducting pre-ride safety briefings, ensuring proper tack and equipment use, and responding quickly to any emergency situations.
• Adhering to the quality standards and presentation techniques that have been established for Ted Turner Reserves Guides.
• Ensuring the highest standards of first aid, safety, sanitation, and personal hygiene are met.
• Ensuring that all NM laws are met and obeyed.
• Communicating guest feedback to the appropriate department leadership.
• Eagerly supporting and actively looking for ways to help other departments.
• All other duties as assigned.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
Essential:

• Previous experience working as a Wrangler or in a similar equestrian role, with a strong background in horsemanship and horse care.
• Confident and personable guide with excellent communication skills and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Ability to handle horses of various temperaments and skill levels safely and effectively.
• Familiarity with basic maintenance and repair of riding equipment and facilities.
• Strong commitment to safety and the ability to respond calmly and efficiently in emergency situations.
• This position requires operation of vehicles, and you’ll need to possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment.  Your driving record will need to meet the standards and requirements of the Company and the Company’s insurance provider.
• You’ll need to present documentation establishing both identity and employment authorization within three days of hire pursuant to federal law.

Preferred:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Certification in recreation, tourism, or a related field.
• First Aid and CPR certification (preferred but not required; can be obtained upon hire).
• Experience working in a luxury hospitality setting.

YOUR QUALITIES

• You’re alert, friendly and eager to assist guests politely and promptly.
• You demonstrate care and compassion for team members, putting the needs of the team before your own.
• You’re self-directed, energetic, and motivated with multi-tasking capabilities.
• You’re creative, adaptive and willing to work with existing core resort philosophy and style.
• You demonstrate clean work habits and attention to detail.
• You conduct yourself in a professional manner in and out of the work setting.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & PERKS 
The Company offers full time employees an elite benefits package, including medical dental and vision insurance, basic life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid time off and paid holidays.    

ACCOMMODATIONS
This position will require you to live on Vermejo headquarters, located approximately 40 miles from the closest town (Raton, NM). Vermejo’s location is approximately 4.5 hours’ drive south of Denver or 4.5 hours’ drive north of Albuquerque.

Vermejo offers single- and double-bedroom dorm room style company housing (subject to availability). You may be subject to sharing a room with one other employee depending on the availability of a single dorm room.

You will need to provide or arrange for your own transportation to and from Raton for personal supplies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
On a regular basis, you can expect to:

• Stand; walk; move hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Adhere to horseback riding helmet policies.
• Perform physical labor for extended periods of time.
• Be on your feet for extended periods of time.

You can expect to frequently lift and/or move 75 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

You may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; work near moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and extreme cold and heat. You will be occasionally exposed to vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and the work environment characteristics are representative of those you may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Accommodation inquiries must be made to the Company’s Human Resources Department for consideration.

Turner Enterprises Management, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Smoke Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

For more information, visit https://tedturnerreserves.com/careers/.