Click on link below to view employment opportunities

Each year our 100+ member ranches hire many seasonal employees, and some year round employees, for such positions as wranglers, cooks, wait staff, housekeepers, maintenance workers, children's counselors and office workers. Most seasonal employees are hired by the Southern ranches for the months of September through May and by the Northern ranches for the months of May through October. Many northern ranches have last minute openings during the months of May and June. Compensation varies from ranch to ranch and position to position but usually includes salary, room and board, a share of the seasonal tip pool and use of the facilities and horses when off duty. Frequently the ranches have more applicants than positions, especially for positions related to the horses. Jobs on dude ranches typically involve hard work and long hours as well as participation in evening guest activities such as line dances, hayrides and staff talent shows. Good people skills and an ability to live and work well with others are required. The more flexible you are in the type of position you would like, the more likely you are to be successful.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Employment opportunities on ranches for non-U.S. citizens are extremely limited and almost non-existent for working with the horses. Occasionally, a ranch will hire a non-U.S. citizen for a wait staff, house keeping or kitchen staff position. Foreign persons seeking employment must be able to speak English well enough to understand guests and the employer. They must also have a work permit for the U.S.A. Please contact the U.S. Embassy for information on work permits. The Dude Ranchers' Association is not able to help in obtaining work permits.

Student Internships

U.S. students often contact the association seeking internship positions. The Dude Ranchers' Association has no formal internship program but a number of our member ranchers have been willing to negotiate with students for internship positions as a part of their seasonal employment. Students interested in such positions may utilize the opportunities listed below.

Options

To assist the many students and others seeking employment, the Association is offering the following

Services:

1. Upon request, we will send the Dude Ranchers' Association Directory. All 100+ member ranches are listed, along with their contact information, programs and amenities. Interested individuals may contact each ranch themselves.

2. The Dude Rancher's Association also publishes a newsletter that is sent directly to all member ranches. For a US$10 fee, you may place an employment wanted ad in one issue. Many ranchers refer to the ads published in the newsletter when hiring. There are no guarantees, but it is a good, inexpensive way to contact all member ranchers at the same time. Sample ads are shown below.

Send us your name, address, phone number, dates of availability, type of position(s) sought and 2-3 sentences describing your experience or qualifications along with the US$10 fee to: The Dude Ranchers' Association Newsletter, P.O. Box 2307, Cody, WY 82414. Payment must be received before the ad will appear.

Sample Ads

Ads might look like these, but should be in your own words.

Wrangler

Jane Doe, 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA 00000, (111) 000-0000. Available May 15 through September. Interested in position working with horses. Can break, train horses, also

teach riding, certified instructor. Vet-tech background -- resort experience. Prefer working cattle ranch. Resume available.

John Jones, 321 Main Street, Anytown, USA 00000, (000) 111-1111. Available early June through August. Qualifications: Trail Guide and Groom, XYZ Resort, 1994 &1995. Guided beginner and experienced groups. Groomed, tacked, and fed horses. Many years riding experience. CPR and First Aid certified. Can teach country and western dancing. I am looking forward to learning more about horses and ranch management. I am willing to do whatever needs done. I like people.

Fred Ranchhand, 111 Main Street, Anytown, USA 00000, (010) 111-0000. Available late May to late September. Seeking wrangler position at small ranch. Have riding experience and am athletic, capable, and a hard worker. Also have extensive waiting (restaurant) and camping/outdoor experience. Some experience with maintenance work.

Wait Staff

Susan Tablemanners, 222 Main Street, Anytown, USA 00000, (101) 000-1111. Available now until not needed. Position desired: Waitress position preferred but can be flexible. Have worked as hostess and waitress at ________ restaurant for 3 years, love people and work well with others.

Maintenance

Joe Handyman, 333 Main Street, Anytown , USA 00000, (001) 101-1010. Available June 19 to September 7. I was born and raised on a farm and have experience working with animals, people, equipment, and general maintenance. In my college experience thus far, I have attained excellent social and leadership skills. I am a reliable and dedicated worker.


Miscellaneous

Jane Flexible, 212 Main Street, Anytown, USA 00000 (110) 010-0101. Available May 11 to September 18. Qualifications: I have work experience in food preparation and service, bartending, secretarial work, and as a camp counselor. I am very flexible to new experiences and more than anything I love meeting and working with new people. I am open to any position available including wait staff, housekeeper, maintenance, counselor, or office worker.

Joe Willing, 121 Main Street, Anytown, USA 00000 (001) 110-0011. Available mid-May through September 1. I am a 20 year old college student at ____________ University. I am looking for a job during the summer. I am hard working and responsible, yet I have no experience working on a ranch or with horses. I am willing to work at almost ANY TYPE of job. Thank you for your consideration.