Filled / Expired
About Silver Lakes Trout Club
Silver Lakes Trout Club is a private, member-owned recreational club situated on 320 acres at 9,400 feet elevation in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest. The property features member cabins, lakes, streams, and backcountry terrain open to members year-round. The Club is a friendly, close-knit community whose members come primarily for fishing, hiking, and enjoying the great outdoors.
The property sits approximately one hour from the nearest town via dirt road. Candidates should understand this clearly: this is a genuinely remote posting. In the winter months, when members are largely absent, access to the club is by snowmobile only. The off-season brings an all-encompassing solitude and silence that is rare in the modern world. The surrounding San Juan Mountains transform into a vast, snow-covered wilderness, and the Caretaker lives at the center of it. For the right person, this is not a drawback. It is the point.
This is more than a maintenance position. The Caretaker is the on-site presence and primary steward of the land and property. The role combines land stewardship, people management, and hands-on property operations across all seasons. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the Caretaker regularly interacts with members, guests, and contractors during the active season.
Position Overview
The Caretaker is a full-time, year-round position responsible for day-to-day operations, maintenance, and stewardship of Silver Lakes Trout Club. The Caretaker reports to and collaborates with the Club Manager and Board of Directors to maintain the property in a condition consistent with Club standards. On-site housing is provided.
Location: San Juan Mountains, Colorado, near Monte Vista. Approximately one hour from the nearest town via dirt road. Snowmobile access only in winter.
Employment Type: Full-time, year-round
Target Start Date: Mid-September 2026
Relocation Assistance: $2,000 relocation allowance provided
Primary Responsibilities
Property and Land Management
- Safeguard club property and control access in accordance with Club rules and bylaws
- Perform road upkeep and snow removal using skid-steer loader with interchangeable bucket and snowplow blade
- Clear trees and brush on club property and around member cabins
- Manage and maintain the club water system year-round, including seasonal activation (early May) and winterization (early October)
- Perform lake and stream inspection and ongoing maintenance
- Apply chemical treatments and herbicides to lakes and streams as needed, following proper safety and storage protocols, and in coordination with the club manager and board
- Coordinate lake and pond fish stocking with appropriate vendors and agencies
- Haul trash and recycling to regional landfill
- Coordinate propane service for the property
Member Services
- Accommodate a variable schedule during peak season to support member activity
- Understand and apply Club rules and bylaws in all member and guest interactions
Equipment and Facilities
- Operate and perform routine maintenance on all Club-provided equipment including skid-steer loader, snowplow, club truck, chain saws, hydraulic log-splitter, and other motorized equipment
- Perform basic plumbing and carpentry tasks as needed
- Collaborate with the Club Manager to establish work priorities and address property needs
- Identify and report maintenance issues on club infrastructure and member cabins
Note: The Caretaker may supplement their income by performing additional work for members during off hours at their own discretion. The Caretaker sets their own fee schedule and bills members directly. Member requests must be made in advance and must not interfere with core Club responsibilities.
Qualifications
Required
- Demonstrated experience as a property caretaker, ranch hand, groundskeeper, or equivalent role managing a large private property
- Proficiency operating skid-steer loaders, tractors, snow removal equipment, and standard ranch and maintenance vehicles
- Physically fit for high-altitude work at 9,400 feet: able to lift up to 80 lbs and navigate steep, mountainous terrain
- Able to live and work in a genuinely remote, off-grid environment with extended periods of isolation and no conventional road access in winter
- Self-motivated with strong independent reasoning, problem-solving, and time management skills
- Strong interpersonal skills for effective interaction with members, guests, contractors, and the Board of Directors
Preferred
- Experience in forestry management, wildlife management, or lake and stream management
- Familiarity with rural water system operation, maintenance, and seasonal management
- Experience with chemical, herbicide, and pesticide application, safety, and storage (certification a plus)
- Basic plumbing and carpentry skills
- General office and computer experience
- Prior experience living in a remote or off-grid environment
Compensation and Benefits
Silver Lakes Trout Club offers a competitive compensation package that reflects the live-in nature of the role and the scope of responsibility.
- Annual base salary of $40,000 to $50,000 depending on qualifications and experience
- $5,000 annual allowance for health insurance premiums or retirement contributions, at the Caretaker’s sole discretion
- $2,000 relocation allowance
- On-site caretaker residence provided at no cost: a recently remodeled two-bedroom plus large finished loft home with one full bath, solar power and generator backup, new appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, and Starlink internet. A large garage and workspace are included.
- Club vehicle provided for use, including fuel and maintenance
- All Club equipment provided including skid-steer loader, tractor, chain saws, hydraulic log-splitter, and club truck
- Horse maintenance plan available at Caretaker’s discretion, with up to four horses permitted in designated areas
- Paid vacation accruing with tenure: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 10 years
- Employer-paid workers compensation and unemployment insurance; employer portion of FICA covered
- Potential for additional income through off-hours member service work at Caretaker’s own fee schedule
This position is not for everyone, and that is by design. The right candidate will see the San Juan Mountains as home, not hardship. The off-season delivers a solitude that is genuinely rare: miles of snow-covered wilderness, no road traffic, and the kind of quiet that most people only encounter on vacation. The recently remodeled on-site residence comfortably accommodates a family, and the close-knit community of Club members becomes a meaningful part of life here during the active season. For someone who wants to live and work in one of the most spectacular landscapes in Colorado, this is an exceptional opportunity.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to:
Silver Lakes Trout Club Board of Directors via the email address listed.
Cover letters should address your relevant experience managing private property or land, your comfort with remote and off-grid living, and why this specific environment appeals to you. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled, with a target start date of mid-September 2026.
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All Ranch Jobs, Fly Fishing Ranch Jobs, Groundskeeping / Land Management Jobs, Outfitter Jobs, Private Ranch Jobs, Ranch Caretaker Jobs, Ranch Handyman / Maintenance Jobs, Ranch Jobs with Housing, Ranch Manager Jobs, Resort / Recreational Ranch Jobs