Rancho Descanso Valley Center
PART TIME CARETAKER – PRIVATE RANCH
LOCATION: Valley Center, CA
POSITION SUMMARY:
We are seeking a responsible, reliable, and hardworking couple to serve as Caretakers for a small, 10 acre private ranch. Our facility boards approximately 15-20 horses and keeps around 5 or 6 head of cattle onsite. We pride ourselves on providing a quiet, drama-free, peaceful place for people to enjoy their horses. The role involves daily care and maintenance of horse facilities, property upkeep, basic household assistance, and occasional animal feeding when owners are traveling. This is a unique opportunity for a couple (ideal for a retired couple) who loves animals, enjoys ranch life, and seeks a stable long-term position with housing included. There may also be an opportunity for the caretaker to bring their own horses to live on the property, if desired.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Clean and maintain up to 20 horse corrals daily (+/- 2 hours/day).
- Perform weekly landscape maintenance and irrigations repairs. (+/- 8 hours/week)
- Perform basic housekeeping duties in the main residence and mancave. (+/- 4 hours every other week), including:
- Dusting and surface cleaning
- Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming
- Cleaning kitchen and bathrooms
- Take trash to the road on trash days
The above primary responsibilities are estimated to average 23 hours per week.
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Animal & Equine Care
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of boarding area, barn, arenas and wash rack.
- Monitor horses’ general condition and report any concerns.
- Assist with feeding, watering, and other horse related tasks as needed.
- Provide care for other ranch animals (chickens, dogs, and cats) as required, especially during owner travel
- Basic property maintenance
- Perform routine property upkeep, including general repairs and horse water repairs.
- Keep outdoor spaces tidy, safe, and functional.
- Monitor ranch equipment and tools, report required repairs.
- Assist with special projects on the ranch as assigned.
The above secondary responsibilities are estimated to average an additional 5 to 10 hours per week).
CARETAKER HOUSE DETAILS:
- 1,050 SF home, modern appliances, bright and airy.
- 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath.
- Kitchen, dining room, and living room.
- Wraparound porch.
- Outdoor parking (uncovered) for up to three (3) vehicles.
- Water and high speed internet included.
- Power to be paid by Caretaker.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working around horses and confidence in handling them safely.
- Ability to perform physical labor, including lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods.
- General handyman skills.
- Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
- Trustworthy, discreet and respectful of privacy.
- Pride of Ownership – values based individuals.
- Valid driver’s license required.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
- Rent free caretaker home (detailed above).
- Additional monthly compensation (between $500 and $1,000 per month, based on the agreed amount of time to be spent on secondary activities).
- Opportunity to bring personal horses to live on the property.
- Potential for additional hourly compensation for special projects or extra work.
- Part time – no health benefits offered.
SCHEDULE:
- Part-time (approximately 30 hours per week) with flexibility.
- Early mornings required for horse care.
- Additional hours during owner travel or special projects.
TO APPLY:
Forward cover letter & resume to our email address. Or call for more info.
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All Ranch Jobs, Barn Hand / Horse Groom Jobs, Equestrian Ranch Jobs, Equine Jobs, Groundskeeping / Land Management Jobs, Horse Boarding Ranch Jobs, Horse Care / Training Jobs, Housekeeping Jobs, Private Ranch Jobs, Ranch Caretaker Jobs, Ranch Handyman / Maintenance Jobs, Ranch Jobs for Couples / Teams, Ranch Jobs with Housing