Working Ranch Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Ranch Assistant Supervisor

Lead a unique animal care program where every day brings something different. 

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking an experienced and dependable Second Chance Ranch Assistant Supervisor to lead the daily operations of our Second Chance Ranch program. This role combines hands-on animal care, team leadership, facility oversight, program coordination, and collaboration across the organization.

This is a great opportunity for someone with animal care, ranch, barn, livestock, equine, and supervisory or team leadership experience who enjoys working directly with animals while also helping coach a team, support operations, and keep a busy program running smoothly in alignment with the ARL’s mission.

Schedule

• Full-time position
• Typically Monday through Friday
• Schedule may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage based on animal care and operational needs.

About the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest non-profit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources.

Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.

About the Second Chance Ranch

The ARL’s Second Chance Ranch provides care, rehabilitation, placement, and support for horses and other barn animals in need. The program requires strong animal-handling skills, thoughtful facility management, teamwork, and a commitment to helping animals receive the care and second chance they deserve.

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily ranch operations, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, rehabilitation, training, and animal handling.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, coaching, training, and feedback to Second Chance Ranch team members.
• Serve as a point of contact for staff questions, animal-care decisions, operational concerns, and urgent situations.
• Oversee ranch operations in the absence of the Second Chance Ranch Supervisor.
• Assist with appropriate housing, handling, and care practices for horses and other barn animals.
• Help maintain the barn, arena, paddocks, turnouts, equipment, and other ranch areas.
• Coordinate scheduling, staffing coverage, onboarding, performance management, and employee support.
• Coordinate adoptions, fosters, transfers, rescues, and transportation in partnership with other ARL departments.
• Maintain accurate animal records and support program reporting, training materials, procedures, and care standards.
• Partner with volunteers and other teams to support events, clinics, donor engagement, and public communications.
• Assist veterinarians with exams and ensure protocols are followed in alignment with veterinarian recommendations and ARL standards.
• Promote a safe work environment by following OSHA requirements, animal-handling practices, and ARL safety procedures.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least one year of professional animal-care experience required.
• At least one year of leadership, supervisory, lead, or team coordination experience required.
• Experience with horses, livestock, ranch animals, or barn operations required.
• Experience training employees, creating schedules, coaching staff, or addressing performance concerns preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions and oversee daily operations independently when needed.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in a fast-paced, physical, and sometimes stressful environment.
• Comfort working with employees, volunteers, clients, donors, and community partners.
• Working knowledge of trucks, trailers, tractors, and ranch or barn equipment preferred.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and ability to learn Shelter Buddy and other systems.
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record required.

Benefits for Full-Time Employees

The ARL is proud to offer competitive, market-driven compensation and a mission-focused culture. In addition, a variety of benefits are available to full-time employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance
• Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
• Veterinary benefits
• Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position works in an active ranch, barn, and animal shelter environment and may require frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, climbing, pushing, pulling, sitting, cleaning, and lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds.

The role requires safely handling horses, livestock, and other ranch animals with varying behavioral and medical needs. Work may take place outdoors in heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, and changing weather conditions. The position may involve exposure to animal waste, odors, dust, allergens, contagious diseases, chemicals, bites, scratches, kicks, and moderate to elevated noise levels while following established safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join the ARL?

As the Second Chance Ranch Assistant Supervisor, your work helps support the people, animals, facilities, and daily operations that make the Second Chance Ranch successful. You will play an important role in helping horses and other barn animals receive compassionate care while supporting the team members and volunteers who care for them.

If you are dependable, hands-on, and ready to help lead a unique animal-care program in a mission-driven environment, we would love to have you join our team.

Employment in this position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.