Midland School
- Horse Assistant/Ranch hand position
- Boarding school setting
- Grades 9 to 12 students
- Full-time/ year-round role
- Salary range $38k-$50k
- Position starts June 2026
About Midland School
Midland School, a distinctive co-educational boarding school for grades 9-12, is located on a 2,860-acre ranch at the edge of the Los Padres National Forest. Midland has been a leader of place-based and experiential college preparatory education since 1932. Everything we do—from the courses we choose to teach, to how we maintain our campus, to the way we feed ourselves— originates from an intentional curriculum that focuses not only on academics, but also on leadership, community, and stewardship. Our students live a cell-phone-free high school experience, close to nature.
Our campus residential community is filled with outdoor enthusiasts, farmers, animal lovers, artists and, of course, friendly and talented faculty and staff. If you would like to be a part of a team dedicated to teaching the value of a lifetime of learning, self-reliance, simplicity and a responsibility to community, we invite you to apply.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist with daily horse handling, training, and conditioning using natural horsemanship principles.
- Support the care of program horses, including feeding, grooming, health monitoring, turnout, and paddock/ stall management.
- Prepare horses, tack, and equipment for classes, student rides, and program activities; perform basic tack maintenance.
- Work alongside the Program Director to support student-horse activities, ensuring safe handling and positive educational experiences.
- Maintain ranch infrastructure including fencing (electric and traditional), arenas, water systems, and basic facility repairs.
- Operate ranch equipment such as tractors, mowers, ATVs, and related implements; perform routine equipment maintenance.
- Assist with pasture management, manure handling, and general ranch upkeep.
- Participate in occasional welding, metal repair, or fabrication tasks needed for program operations
*Salary depends on relevant experience; housing may be possible. If off campus, schedule includes M-F duties. Benefits include retirement, medical, life/ADD, and disability.
Minimum Qualifications
- Demonstrated horsemanship skills, including safe handling of green or sensitive horses
- Experience with natural horsemanship or similar training philosophies
- Ability to perform routine ranch maintenance (fencing, irrigation/water systems, basic repairs)
- Proficiency with tractors, ranch implements, and basic tools
- Basic welding skills or willingness to learn for small repair projects
- Reliable, self-directed, and able to work both independently and collaboratively
- Strong communication skills and interest in working with teenagers in an educational environment
- Able to lift 50+ pounds and perform physically demanding tasks outdoors
- Ability to safely work around large animals and equipment
- Pass criminal and driving background checks
- Health clearance for TB screening
Additional Desired Experience
- Experience working with youth in educational, camp, or ranch settings
- Knowledge of horse health management, first aid, and nutrition
- Experience with facility improvement projects, pasture management, or land stewardship
- Additional skills to share with the school community (coaching, outdoor education, arts, electives, etc.)
TO APPLY:
Work at Midland
This position is open until filled. The start date is June 2026.
Applicants should first carefully review the minimum qualifications and the Midland School website to learn more about our school. If interested, submit the following as a single PDF file titled “lastname_firstname_Horse_2026” to Karrie Glines, Assistant to the Head of School, to the email address listed. Only complete applications will be considered.
- Short cover letter that addresses the alignment of your experience and interests with the qualifications outlined above and Midland School’s mission
- Current resume
- List of 3-5 references
Diversity Statement
Midland School is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among our employees.
Email
[email protected]
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All Ranch Jobs, Barn Hand / Horse Groom Jobs, Equestrian Ranch Jobs, Equine Jobs, Groundskeeping / Land Management Jobs, Horse Care / Training Jobs, Horseback Riding / Trail Guide Jobs, Ranch Hand Jobs, Ranch Handyman / Maintenance Jobs, Ranch Jobs with Housing