Lead Wrangler

Girl Scouts of Colorado • Bailey, TX

3d • $510 - $600 • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Wrangler oversees and implements the on-site horse program at a Girl Scouts of Colorado camp property, in alignment with camp-wide goals, policies, and procedures. Working with a team of 2–4 ranch staff, this role helps care for a herd of 15–20 horses and other farm animals, maintains barn and riding areas and equipment, and supports camp operations and programs as needed. The position emphasizes safety, high-quality service, camper supervision, and coordination with other camp teams.

The Lead Wrangler instructs and supervises western riding for groups of 12–15 riders, including arena activities and trail rides, adapting activities to meet riders’ needs. The role leads and coaches 2–4 wranglers, organizes their daily and seasonal work, and contributes to schedules, records, staff training, evaluations, and camper and staff feedback. The Lead Wrangler also supports campers’ daily living and peer relationships and may provide emergency, health, and wellness support.

This is a seasonal, full-time, onsite position in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, with dates in May–August to be determined. Staff must live onsite in shared housing. The work takes place at 8,000–9,500 feet and includes outdoor activities in varied weather, nontraditional and extended hours, overnight periods, and on-call responsibilities. Compensation is $540 per week plus food and lodging valued at $200 per week.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and at least one year of college or equivalent work experience.
• Current certifications, or willingness to obtain them, in First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, Universal Standard Precautions, and Medication Administration.
• Documented experience supervising and leading peers and/or staff.
• Proven western riding skills.
• Current instructor certification from a recognized organization, or documented endorsements of successful formal horseback-riding instruction within the past two years.
• At least two years of horse care experience and safe practices around equine and farm animals.
• Proven experience in horse and rider classification.
• Ability to ride 6–8 hours per day, 6–7 days per week.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to develop and facilitate innovative, engaging programs in an informal outdoor setting.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must pass a criminal background check acceptable to GSCO standards.
• Ability to work nontraditional hours, including evenings, weekends, extended overnight periods, and extended hours up to 22 hours per day; must be on call at all times for health, emergency, camper-supervision, and program needs.
• Must live onsite in shared housing.
• Ability to walk or hike more than 2 miles daily over uneven, unpaved terrain.
• Ability to carry, lift, and/or transfer at least 75 pounds.
• Ability to hear, listen, see, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, handle or feel with hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, and balance.
• Ability to work tactfully and congenially with people with a range of moods and behaviors.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or interest in working with children.
• Experience working in an outdoor program and/or camp setting.

Responsibilities

• Work with 2–4 ranch staff to care for horses and farm animals, including feeding, grooming, tacking, basic animal first aid, and mucking.
• Assist the Barn Specialist with daily care of barn animals as needed.
• Maintain the cleanliness and organization of farm, barn, arena, and pasture areas.
• Help manage, store, maintain, clean, and use program, horse, and barn equipment.
• Provide or support emergency procedures during onsite and offsite incidents, as well as health and wellness practices.
• Provide coverage and assistance to other operational and program staff, including cabin, health, site, kitchen, and housekeeping staff.
• Instruct and supervise western riding for groups of 12–15 riders, including trail rides, arena maneuvers, and activities, while ensuring safety and adapting to riders’ needs.
• Supervise campers during horse trails and other assigned situations; guide and counsel campers in daily living, camp activities, and peer relationships.
• Supervise 2–4 wranglers in delivering the horse program.
• Create daily, weekly, and summer chore schedules for wrangler staff.
• Train and orient staff in the use of specialized areas and materials and in program delivery.
• Verify staff competence before assigning them to horse-riding or supervisory duties and monitor their performance throughout the season.
• Evaluate and coach assigned staff.
• Manage administrative tasks promptly, independently, and with attention to detail.
• Help develop and review daily, weekly, and activity schedules in coordination with other staff and camp goals.
• Maintain accurate logs, forms, inventories, and records.
• Participate in camper and staff feedback processes, meetings, and training.
• Coordinate and communicate schedules to campers and staff as needed.
• Observe program delivery and leadership to ensure goals and expectations are met appropriately.
• Use digital systems including Slack, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Protect confidential information about staff, volunteers, and campers.
• Follow applicable policies and standards, including those of the American Camping Association, Girl Scouts Safety Activity Checkpoints, and Colorado Department of Health and Human Services.
• Support Girl Scouts of Colorado’s commitments to pluralism, diversity, and inclusion.
• Assist with other tasks as needed in accordance with the organization’s philosophy.

Benefits

• Food and lodging provided, valued at $200 per week.
• Shared onsite staff housing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED