Job Title: Senior Ranch Hand
Reports to: Fort Steele Agriculture and Animal Care Supervisor
Compensation: $22.00 - $24.00 hour, health benefits package, 10 days paid holiday.
Hours of work: Full-time, permanent, 35 hours week. Requires evening, weekend and holiday availability
Fort Steele Heritage Town is a living history site dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and enhancement of British Columbia’s rich heritage. Fort Steele serves as a cultural and educational resource, engaging visitors in the stories, traditions, and historical significance of the Region. We would like to acknowledge that the Site is located on the traditional, ancestral and present Ktunaxa homeland and extend our gratitude for the opportunity to live and learn in mutual respect and appreciation.
The Site is supported by the Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Society and its Executive Management Team which provides strategic direction, development and funding to achieve the site’s mandate. Our team values a supportive and collaborative work culture that is respectful, challenging and promotes diversity and creativity.
Position Summary
The Senior Ranch Hand position ensures the highest standards of animal welfare and contributes to engaging and educational visitor experiences at Fort Steele Heritage Town. This role is a unique opportunity to oversee all aspects of animal care, breeding programs, and health management at a provincial historic site. The Senior Ranch Hand will lead in working with and driving our team of horses, showcasing traditional teamster skills and transporting visitors across the site.
This role will enhance the visitor experience, preserve heritage livestock breeds, support Fort Steele's commitment to agricultural education, cultural heritage, and reconciliation, and ensure the long-term environmental and financial sustainability of the department.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversee and implement care, feeding, training, and breeding programs for horses, sheep, pigs, and chickens.
- Lead sustainable farming practices to minimize environmental impact and promote long-term resource conservation.
- Collaborate with veterinarians to monitor livestock health, ensuring timely administration of vaccines, medications, and treatments.
- Manage daily feeding schedules and pasture rotation to optimize nutrition and minimize feed costs.
- Maintain accurate records of breeding, health treatments, and animal production.
- Coordinate transportation of livestock to markets, demonstrations, and parades.
- Lead public engagement programs, including interpretive demonstrations and hands-on activities, to educate visitors about heritage livestock breeds and generate revenue.
- Mentor junior staff members in animal care and farming practices.
- Other duties as assigned related to the job description.
Knowledge and Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years of hands-on experience working with livestock, specifically with heritage breeds and in a public-facing environment (e.g., museum, heritage farm).
- Knowledge of animal husbandry and health management, including farm safety and animal health regulations. Animal health education degree or diploma preferred.
- An understanding of Indigenous relations in this region; additionally, familiarity with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the relevant Calls to Action for Museums is an asset. This knowledge can be through education, lived or worked experience.
- Understanding of modern farming technologies and equipment. Knowledge of historic farming equipment an asset.
- Valid driver’s license.
- First Aid
Abilities and Skills
- Demonstrated ability to lead and prioritize tasks while managing multiple responsibilities.
- Excellent communication skills for interacting with diverse audiences in a public-facing role.
- Skill driving a trailer and hauling animals an asset.
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
- Proficient in carpentry, leather work, and equipment repair.
- Advanced experience with horses, including driving teams and single horses.
- Ability to perform and oversee rigorous outdoor work in various weather conditions and lift heavy loads.
We are looking for these personal qualities:
- Initiative: We need someone who has ideas as well as someone who can come up with creative solutions!
- Reliability: We must be able to count on you to ensure the success of our programs.
- Judgement: Things evolve rapidly, being able to make decisions with discernment is an essential quality to being successful in this position
- Detail Oriented: the details matter!
Cranbrook is a town with a diverse and international community. Our organization strives to reflect this in our work and our team. We encourage applicants who identify as LGBTQ2S+, Person with Disabilities, Indigenous, and visible minorities to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation.
How to Apply
In the spirit of reconciliation, we are committed to increasing Indigenous representation throughout the organization and encourage applicants to self-identify as Indigenous within cover letters and/or resume.
Please send your resume and cover letter as a PDF to c.mitchell@fortsteele.org. Subject line: first name, last name, job title. Ex: Jane Doe, Ranch Hand. The selection process will remain open until the position is filled. Tentative start date: ASAP
*We appreciate all applications; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. A clean criminal record check and vulnerable sector police check will be required before employment*
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $22.00-$24.00 per hour
Expected hours: 35 per week
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Fort Steele, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- livestock: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
