Ranch Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Ranch Operations Lead
Location: Healdsburg, CA
Onsite Expected Weekly Hours: 40
Position Type: Full-time, non-exempt (hourly), with benefits
Reports to: Ranch Manager
Position Summary
The Ranch Operations Lead is a full-time, in-house, trades-oriented role at Millstone Valley Ranch, working alongside the property's Generalist under the Ranch Manager. This role is focused on hands-on repair and maintenance work across the property's buildings and systems, groundskeeping and trail upkeep, flexible backup coverage for the property's day-to-day operations, and serving as one of the property's primary on-call emergency responders for after-hours issues.
This is a private residence first and a working ranch second. Every responsibility below is carried out with the same discretion, judgment, and hospitality standard expected of anyone working in close proximity to the family and their guests.
Key Responsibilities
Groundskeeping & Trail Upkeep
Maintain the property's 30+ named trails, creek corridor, Falls, Pond, and Pool areas to a guest-ready standard, particularly ahead of guest arrivals and the summer season.
Flag maintenance issues, hazards, or contractor follow-up items to the Ranch Manager through the property's operations tracking system.
Repair & Building Systems
Bring a strong general trades background (carpentry, basic plumbing/electrical, irrigation, small-equipment repair, or similar) to support building and systems upkeep across the property's residences and outbuildings.
Work directly with the Ranch Manager on more complex or multi-step operational tasks - septic system maintenance, winter work using heavy equipment, routine vehicle fleet maintenance, and similar.
Operate and maintain property vehicles and equipment (utility vehicles, tractors, chippers, and similar) safely and only within the scope of training received.
Coverage & Backup Support
Provide flexible backup coverage for groundskeeping and light maintenance in the gaps between the landscaping contractor's scheduled visits.
Cover the property's Generalist during PTO, absences, or overflow periods, and vice versa, so core daily grounds work continues without a gap.
On-Call Emergency Response
Serve as one of the property's primary on-call emergency responders - available to respond to after-hours alarms, water/leak issues, wildlife encounters, storm damage, and similar incidents.
Share weekend and evening on-call rotation, coordinating with the Ranch Manager on escalation.
Guest & Retreat Readiness
Support pre-guest and pre-event property readiness - walking trails, common areas, and guest-facing spaces ahead of arrivals, including ahead of the annual Seder dinner and summer guest season.
Present a polished, professional demeanor in any guest-facing moment.
Coordinate with the Ranch Manager on timing so grounds and light-maintenance work doesn't conflict with active guest or retreat use.
Discretion & Private Household Conduct
Treat all matters relating to the family, their guests, and the property as confidential; exercise sound judgment about what is and isn't appropriate to discuss outside the estate.
Maintain a low-profile, professional presence around the family and visitors - proactive and helpful without being intrusive.
Use good judgment on when to escalate a sensitive situation to the Ranch Manager rather than handling it independently.
Ad Hoc Support
Be available for ad hoc needs from ownership, directed through the Ranch Manager, that don't fit a standing contractor's defined scope (errands, move-in/move-out help, one-off projects).
Required Qualifications
A strong hands-on trades background - carpentry, basic plumbing/electrical, irrigation systems, or general equipment maintenance/repair - or equivalent demonstrated experience.
Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, spoken and written.
Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment in a private-residence or similarly sensitive setting; comfortable maintaining confidentiality as a condition of the role.
Valid California driver's license and a clean driving record; comfortable operating property vehicles and equipment (training on specific equipment provided).
Willingness and ability to respond to on-call emergencies outside standard working hours, including evenings and weekends, particularly during spring peak season.
Ability to work independently and use good judgment across a large, spread-out rural property with intermittent cell coverage in places.
A collaborative, low-ego working style - comfortable taking direction, working alongside a peer on groundskeeping, and pitching in outside a narrow job description when the property needs it.
Physical ability to perform outdoor manual labor in varying weather conditions, lift and carry up to 50 lbs, and work on uneven or sloped terrain.
Willingness to follow the property's Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), including required PPE (steel-toed boots, snake gaiters, gloves, eye/hearing protection as applicable) and safety training.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience working on a private estate, ranch, farm, vineyard, or comparable large residential property where discretion and guest-readiness were part of the job.
Experience with landscaping, groundskeeping, irrigation systems, or tree/brush clearing.
Familiarity with basic HVAC, solar, pool equipment, or well/pump systems. (Larger issues in these areas would be escalated to specialists.)
Experience operating tractors, UTVs, chainsaws, chippers, or similar power equipment.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This is an outdoor, hands-on role on a working rural property. Conditions and exposures include: extended time outdoors in varying weather, including heat during the summer guest season; wildlife encounters, including venomous snakes, stinging insects, ticks, and poison oak in identified habitat areas; work on trails, uneven terrain, and near water features; and use of powered equipment and hand tools. All work is performed in accordance with the property's Injury and Illness Prevention Program, including required PPE, the buddy system for high-risk tasks, and heat-illness precautions. Safety training and briefings are provided bilingually.
Compensation & Benefits
Full-time, non-exempt (hourly), with benefits.