Ranch Hand

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa • Des Moines, IA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a part-time, temporary Second Chance Ranch Assistant to support the daily care, rehabilitation, and placement of horses and other ranch animals at its Second Chance Ranch. The temporary position is scheduled to end in January 2027, with the possibility of continuing. The schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; occasional flexibility may be needed based on animal care, transport, weather, or operational needs.

The role provides direct animal care, maintains ranch facilities, supports veterinary and training needs, assists volunteers, and helps create a safe and welcoming environment for animals and people. The ranch serves animals that may have medical concerns, limited handling experience, behavioral needs, or histories of neglect. Through consistent care, humane handling, enrichment, veterinary support, and positive reinforcement-based training, the team helps animals prepare for adoption, foster care, transfer, or another appropriate placement.

Work takes place indoors and outdoors in all seasons and includes physically demanding animal-care and facility tasks. The position requires safe handling of horses and other large animals and operation of ranch vehicles and equipment. Employment is at-will. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least one year of professional animal-care experience.
• Knowledge of equine care, behavior, body language, feeding, handling, and basic health monitoring.
• Ability to safely operate trucks, horse trailers, tractors, and related ranch equipment.
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Confidence working around large animals with varying levels of training, socialization, and behavior.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow instructions, protocols, treatment plans, and established animal-care procedures.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during stressful, unpredictable, or emotionally challenging situations.
• Dependability and willingness to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and electronic record systems.
• Ability to perform basic math accurately.
• Commitment to humane care, workplace safety, and the mission of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
• Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, reach, climb, push, pull, and perform repetitive physical activity.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely perform animal-care and facility-related tasks.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather and tolerate exposure to animal hair, dander, odors, waste, dust, hay, cleaning products, moderate noise, zoonotic diseases, and potential animal-related injuries.

Nice To Haves

• Experience caring for and handling horses is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with livestock or other barn animals is helpful.
• Previous customer service experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for horses and other ranch animals, including feeding, watering, cleaning, turnout, enrichment, grooming, and general monitoring.
• Observe animals for changes in health, behavior, mobility, appetite, or condition and promptly communicate concerns.
• Support behavioral rehabilitation and positive reinforcement-based training in collaboration with ranch leadership.
• Assist veterinarians with examinations, treatments, procedures, vaccinations, and ongoing medical care.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed and within established protocols.
• Maintain clean, safe, and appropriate animal housing, including stalls, barns, paddocks, turnouts, and common areas.
• Assist with adoptions, foster placements, transfers, rescues, animal transport, and other placement-related activities.
• Safely load, unload, and transport ranch animals as needed.
• Operate trucks, horse trailers, tractors, and other ranch equipment in support of daily operations.
• Enter and maintain accurate animal, medical, behavioral, training, and placement records.
• Help onboard, train, guide, and support ranch volunteers, giving clear direction and promoting safe, humane animal handling.
• Interact professionally and respectfully with adopters, volunteers, donors, visitors, staff, and members of the public.
• Promote the ARL’s mission, programs, events, and services through positive and educational interactions.
• Follow OSHA requirements, biosecurity practices, animal-handling protocols, and workplace safety procedures.
• Assist with facility upkeep, supply organization, equipment maintenance, and other operational needs.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support animals and ranch operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED