About West Creek Ranch

The ranch provides the perfect setting for meetings, leadership development, social gatherings, recreation and inspiration. Working with select nonprofit partners, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation brings together leaders across sectors to address today’s most challenging societal problems. Topics range from social justice to climate change to mental health, and everything in between. West Creek offers 5-star service and recreation amenities, providing a setting that inspires innovation and creative problem-solving.

With guidance by ranch staff who treat guests like family, the West Creek experience is a reminder that more indoor meetings don’t equal more success. West Creek requires participants to spend half of their time engaged in outdoor activities based on the belief that exponential learning is stimulated by connecting to nature, building relationships and fostering self-renewal. West Creek participants have raved about how much they achieved outside of the meeting space, immersed in games, hikes, horseback rides and more.

The Employee Experience

This is so much more than a job.

Here at West Creek, your job will be to help create incredible experiences for our guests. Through you, our guests will feel inspired to come up with creative solutions to daunting world problems. By greeting all guests with a smile, attending to the smallest details, and catering to each guest's needs, we are creating an environment that makes our guests feel welcome and cared for, so that they feel relaxed and focused to tackle serious, society-changing issues. Through your thoughtful interactions with others, you are sure to have an impact on guests and staff alike.

You'll experience all this with a group of adventurous, hard-working, and fun-loving people who will become lifelong friends. On the weekends, you and your new friends will get to enjoy the endless recreational opportunities and natural wonders that Yellowstone country has to offer!

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for people who understand the importance of a friendly smile and a kind word. Our staff members are personable, adventurous, hard-working, honest, and are willing to pitch in when they see that a helping hand is needed. Physical stamina to work long days is also required.  Additionally, we're looking for people with a desire and a willingness to learn. Rather than departmentalize, many of our staff work a variety of jobs in order to gain a better understanding of the operation as a whole. We feel this flexibility better prepares them for whatever may come in the future.

Wrangling and working in the kitchen require specific skills and experience. However, training can be provided for many other jobs that do not require prior experience. When evaluating applicants, a desire to learn, serve, and maintain a positive attitude is most important. Although, preference will be given to those who have prior customer service experience.

Room and Board

Room and board are provided to all West Creek Ranch staff members. We offer housing at various locations offsite, all within an 18-mile drive of the ranch. Our accommodations are mostly shared with private accommodations reserved for managers, returning employees, or senior staff members. West Creek Ranch provides linens, comforters, pillows, and towels. There is sufficient storage space on the ranch for personal belongings. We provide ample space for indoor recreation, along with a place to do laundry. Staff members are allowed to respectfully use all ranch facilities including our world-class golf course.

While transportation to and from work is not provided, carpooling with fellow employees is easy to arrange.

Three meals a day are provided during the workweek in our staff dining room at the Ranch. Our kitchen staff put equal thought and care into our staff meals as they do for our guests, providing an array of options and catering to dietary restrictions.

Communal kitchens will be provided in your housing, where you will have ample room to store food and cook whatever you're craving whenever you crave it.

Employee Perks

Not only do employees have access to the full facility, but they are also encouraged to participate in guest activities free of charge, so long as there is availability. Horseback rides, guided hikes, fly-fishing instruction, and world class golf are just a few of the activities you’ll have the opportunity to experience. And we can't forget the weekly Dance Nights with the guests! 

A competitive seasonal salary, free room and board, weekends off, a beautiful mountain environment, access to Yellowstone National Park, use of our world-class facilities and activities, and the opportunity to mingle with our amazing guests and staff from all over the world… who could ask for anything more? The friendships you make, the skills you learn, and the memories you’ll form will last you a lifetime.

Throughout the year, our staff will give back to the communities in which they live and work — through their physical involvement, personal philanthropy, and grants made to non-profit organizations. The team will have opportunities for rewarding volunteer work in both Park County and Gallatin County.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Staff members are encouraged to join our team with their own vehicles since housing is off site, but if you drive out with family the closest airport for travel is the Bozeman International Airport.

For Fun

There are plenty of opportunities for adventure in the heart of Yellowstone Country. The Gallatin National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains, the Crazy Mountains, the Bridger Mountains, and the Gallatin Canyon area all provide excellent opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping. Big Creek and the mighty Yellowstone River offer fishing, rafting, and kayaking opportunities.

Livingston is a 30-minute drive and offers a quaint downtown with great restaurants and a vibrant artistic community. Bozeman is an hour's drive and is home to Montana State University and the Museum of the Rockies, as well as a great variety of coffee shops, stores, restaurants, and bars. Local haunts like the Pine Creek Lodge, The Old Saloon in Emigrant and Chico Hot Springs are always staff favorites and feature live music and great food without the long drive.

Job Description

Join us leading fun activities on a Montana ranch for a summer of adventure!

The ideal candidate for the West Creek Ranch’s Guest Experience Guide will live our core values of: Putting people first, by advocating beside our team of associates and catering to our guests. Leading by example as an expression of the quality services we promote. Including everyone in day-to-day activities and tasks. Innovating continually by sharing new ideas and implementing them when it benefits the team and our guests. Listening and responding to everyone to the best of their ability. Giving back to others by incorporating all other values daily and connecting with the community. 

The Guest Experience Guide reports to the Operations Manager and will be responsible for leading guest activities: specifically hiking, challenge course, introductory fly fishing, recreational archery, and any other activities scheduled. The Guest Experience Guide also works with fellow team members who lead guest activities to ensure they understand the purpose of daily intentions and are skilled at leading guest reflection opportunities. The Guest Experience Guide will be a rare combination of technical experience and skill who can uphold safety requirements of activities on the Ranch, while also embodying the social-emotional awareness and interpersonal skills required to effectively lead groups through challenging personal growth experiences.

As a core member of the Ranch, the Guest Experience Guide will also respond to the needs of hospitality team and work where needed. This will include shifts in housekeeping, dining, dishwashing, transportation, and other duties. This position is seasonal and will work from late April through the end of October.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead guest experiences and activities including hiking, challenge course, fly fishing, archery, and any other activities scheduled, modeling the daily intention and reflection process for peers
• Train fellow associates on facilitation so that they are skilled in the reflection process and comfortable working with groups on their intentions
• Commitment to actively building a community where all guests and fellow team members feel a sense of belonging and safety
• Assist in identifying, assessing and managing environmental, physical, social and emotional risk during course activities
• Adhere to operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined by the Ranch

Qualifications and Education Requirements               

• Demonstrated competency in group facilitation and team building
• Demonstrated ability to teach or train processes to colleagues
• Demonstrated competency in outdoor experiences and activity logistics (Hiking, Ropes courses, Fly-Fishing, Archery… or willing to learn)
• Demonstrated ability to assess the abilities of a group and use that information to mitigate risks and ensure positive experiences for the group
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with groups across all ages, backgrounds and abilities
• Personal initiative and resourcefulness, adaptable and positive even in challenging situations with strong ability to problem solve
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Strong social perceptiveness and active listening and learning skills, ability to hear what others are saying and to take the time to understand what isn’t being said
• Ability to navigate new terrain with unmarked trails to guide guests on hikes.
• Ability to be flexible and work a variety of jobs.
• Desire to bring forward their genuine self to build a culture of inclusivity and achievement in the workplace daily.
• Current certification in CPR and First Aid (or ability to acquire before start of employment)
• Current ServeSafe Alcohol certification, TIPS training, or similar (we can provide training for those that are not current)
• Ability to follow a checklist to accomplish all tasks during a shift, and give feedback on such checklists as needed to improve efficiency.
• Able to meet physical requirements of the job which include repetitive motions, standing, sitting, kneeling, bending, twisting, walking, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in inclement weather to complete tasks.

Preferred Skills

• Wilderness First Responder certification, or more
• Knowledge of Microsoft office
• Previous experience working for Outward Bound, NOLS, or another Experiential Educator.

Responsibilities for Hospitality Shifts
 

Housekeeping:

• Clean guest areas, including rooms, common areas, and restrooms, per checklists.
• Replenish supplies, such as linens and bathroom items.
• Wash, fold, and store linens and towels per laundry instructions.
• Perform miscellaneous daily and weekly cleaning tasks as needed or specified on lists.
• Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Dining:

• Prepare guest and staff dining areas for meals, including setting up items such as tables, buffets, linens, silverware, glassware, chafers, condiments, etc.
• Serve/refill food and beverages for guests and staff.
• Check with guests to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
• Remove dishes and glasses from tables and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
• After guests and staff have finished dining: clean tables, floors, and other areas as needed.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Dishwashing:

• Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, and cookware using dishwasher or by hand.
• Place clean items in correct storage areas in organized manner.
• Maintain cleanliness of dishwashing station.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Transportation:

• Must be 21 years of age and a clean driving record. (For our insurance)
• Transport guests to and from the airport or activities.
• Label and load guests’ luggage at the airport.
• Transport guests’ luggage to and from cabins.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

We will begin reviewing applications January 20th!