Rendic Ranch
Ranch Manager (Part-Time Contractor to start)
Mustang & Burro Sanctuary and Cow-Calf Cattle Operation
Location: Amador County, California Compensation: $35-$50 per hour (1099 Independent Contractor) Schedule: 20–40 hours per week
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced, self-motivated Ranch Manager to help oversee a unique ranch operation in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California. The 900 acre ranch combines a non-profit Mustang and Burro sanctuary with a direct-to-consumer, grass fed and finished, cow-calf cattle operation focused on excellent animal care, responsible land stewardship, and regenerative grazing practices.
This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about our country’s wild horses and burros and wants to help those stuck in the system and in need of sanctuary. She/he must love working with both horses and cattle, respect all wildlife and nature, take pride in developing and maintaining ranch infrastructure, and is interested in helping to build a thriving equine sanctuary and a progressive livestock operation.
The initial role is a part-time (20–40 hours/week) 1099 contractor position, with the opportunity to transition into a full-time salaried Ranch Manager position with benefits and on-ranch housing after approximately 12 months, based on performance and the needs of the organization.
Primary Responsibilities
Horse & Burro Care
- Oversee the daily care, health, and well-being of previously wild mustangs and burros working closely with the sanctuary director
- Build trust with new residents, allowing them space and time to decompress and regain health before beginning the gentling process using non-violent, trust-based, non-dominant methods chosen by owner
- Recognize the quiet, stoic signs of pain or illness in burros, and understand how their dietary and hoof-care needs differ from those of horses
- Safely move equines throughout the barn, paddocks, and pastures, considering each equine’s readiness as well as overall herd development; utilizing regenerative grazing practices and prioritizing both land and animal health
- Monitor herd health daily and identify illness, injury, or behavioral changes
- Carry out quarantine protocols for new arrivals
- Coordinate routine veterinary care and farrier, as well as all emergency needs; implement and monitor vet recommendations
- Ability to manage untouched horses and burros who cannot yet be haltered with patience, natural horsemanship, and low-stress handling techniques
- Recognize, monitor, and manage pregnant mares/jennies and foaling
- Plan, order and organize all feed and supplements
- Clean and maintain stalls, barn, equipment and surrounding areas
- Keep diligent records documenting the details of each animal
- Assist with volunteers, tours, educational programs and events
Cow-Calf Operations
- Monitor the health and welfare of the 63 head Bonsmara cow-calf herd
- Identify sick or injured cattle and administer appropriate treatment, coordinating with vet as needed
- Monitor pregnant cows and assist with calving as needed
- Monitor calf health and development
- Assist with herd health programs, vaccinations, and doctoring
- Exposure to breeding practices, including artificial insemination (AI), is preferred
- Manage fermented forage finishing as directed
Grazing & Land Management
- Assist with implementing rotational grazing strategies for equines and cattle
- Monitor pasture conditions and forage utilization
- Support regenerative land stewardship and pasture improvement initiatives
Ranch Infrastructure & Equipment
- Construct and repair electric and barbed-wire fencing
- Maintain water systems, pipelines, troughs, pumps, and irrigation infrastructure
- Operate and maintain ranch equipment including skid-steer, UTV, ATVs, trailers, and related machinery
- Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed
- Design and implement fire safety plan
- Assist with NRCS, contractors, and vendors visiting or working ranch property
Leadership & Administration
- Supervise employees and volunteers in a safe, respectful, and productive environment
- Maintain accurate livestock, grazing, maintenance, and operational records
- Assist with budgeting, purchasing, and inventory management
- Utilize ranch management technology including CattleMax, Gallagher systems,
- Microsoft Excel, and other digital management tools
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience caring for previously wild Mustangs, burros, or un-gentled horses is required
- Three to five years of ranch management or equivalent livestock experience
- Ability to recognize signs of illness, injury, or distress in horses and donkeys
- Practical cow-calf experience, including monitoring pregnant cows and calves
- Experience with livestock health programs, vaccinations, and animal treatments
- Familiarity with breeding practices, including exposure to artificial insemination
- Experience operating skid-steers, excavators, ATVs, and similar ranch equipment
- Experience constructing and repairing electric and barbed-wire fencing
- Knowledge of ranch water systems and irrigation
- Experience supervising employees and/or volunteers
- Strong organizational, communication, and record-keeping skills
- Valid driver’s license
- Experience hauling trailers; DL required
Preferred Qualifications
- Exposure to rotational grazing and regenerative ranch management
- Horseback riding experience for livestock management
- Mechanical aptitude and basic equipment maintenance skills
- Experience with livestock management software and ranch technology
- Ability to work independently while communicating effectively with ownership and the nonprofit leadership
Compensation & Growth Opportunity
- $35-$50 per hour as a 1099 independent contractor
- Initial schedule of approximately 20–40 hours per week
- Opportunity to transition into a full-time salaried Ranch Manager position after approximately 12 months
- Potential benefits package, including on-ranch housing, for the full-time role
- Opportunity to help shape and grow a mission-driven ranch dedicated to animal welfare, conservation, sustainable agriculture, and direct-to-consumer beef production
Who We’re Looking For / How to Apply
The ideal candidate is a dependable, independent, hands-on ranch professional who enjoys solving problems, takes initiative, and is equally comfortable caring for previously wild equines, managing a cow-calf operation, maintaining ranch infrastructure, and leading people. They value exceptional animal care, good stewardship of the land, and continuous improvement while embracing both traditional ranching skills and modern ranch management technology. If this is you, please email your resume and cover letter. We look forward to hearing from you.
Email
[email protected]
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Posted In
Administrative/Operations Jobs, All Ranch Jobs, Animal Sanctuary Jobs, Barn Hand / Horse Groom Jobs, Barn Manager Jobs, Cattle Ranch Jobs, Equine Jobs, Groundskeeping / Land Management Jobs, Horse / Animal Rescue Ranch Jobs, Horse Care / Training Jobs, Organic / Regenerative Ranch Jobs, Ranch Cattleman Jobs, Ranch Handyman / Maintenance Jobs, Ranch Herdsman Jobs, Ranch Jobs with Housing, Ranch Manager Jobs, Ranch Supervisor Jobs