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For those looking for a permanent holiday on horseback, Warner Guiding & Outfitting offers seasonal job positions in all areas of our company as well as a few year round positions.
Living in Banff
Banff is a small community, which offers a variety of services to keep any outdoor enthusiast entertained. White water rafting, sightseeing tours, Gondola, movie theatre, nightlife and great hiking trails are a few attractions within walking distance from your house. Though having a vehicle is convenient for trips out of the Banff town site, it is not necessary to drive anywhere in Banff – A big savings with today’s gas prices! Most staff either car-pool to work each day or walk, which takes about 15 minutes from the houses.
The town of Banff is located within Banff National Park and along with an abundance of recreational activities and a bustling townsite, there are many added bonuses to working and living within a National Park including a safe, clean environment and plenty of wildlife viewing.
Staff accommodation is available for all staff members in various different forms. We offer dorm-style housing in 5 different 3-bedroom units. The bathroom, living room and kitchen are shared by 6 tenants, 2 people per bedroom. Bed frames and some furniture/dishes are provided though it is recommended to bring with you anything you feel you cannot live without (ie. Coffee maker, TV). Due to the nature of staff housing, we do not provide mattresses and throw away left behind mattresses each year. It is suggested to bring an air mattress or foamie for sleeping on.
A limited number of private suites are available for mature employees, long term employees or couples though we cannot guarantee these types of accommodations upon hiring as there is often a waiting list.
Rent cost varies depending on the type of accommodation you are in and is deducted directly from your paycheque. Damage deposits may also be necessary.
Perks
Riding is what we’re all about!
The opportunity to second guide a backcountry trip or head out to a camp or lodge for your days off is open to all employees as reward for a job well done. Many staff ride 7 days a week to see as many trails as possible! Meals are available on Breakfast rides and Evening steak fry’s as well as at the backcountry camps/lodges.
Spontaneous BBQ’s and a year-end staff party are highlights of the summer.
Our family works together, lives together and plays together sharing an interest in maintaining the western lifestyle. Including our guests in that lifestyle is very important to us.
Jobs Available
Trail Guides: These positions guide our tours from 1 hour to 6 days in length. Guides start in-town and have the chance to work their way up to backcountry guiding once they know how to shoe and pack. Days start at 6am for morning chores. Your day usually finishes up around 7 – 8pm. An hour off for breakfast, an hour off for lunch and a couple quick ‘coffee time’ breaks are given through-out the day. Guides can expect to be in the saddle up to 8 hours a day. Duties include tacking, grooming, feeding, and cleaning up around the stables as well as guiding rides.
Backcountry guiding is a privilege at Holiday on horseback and staff are given the opportunity to second guide trips as reward for hard work and reliability. Experience & safety are extremely important to us when choosing backcountry guides as our guests and horses are the most important part of our business.
Packer: Packers live either in camp or in town and are responsible for the day to day maintenance of the location they work out of. Each packer uses a string of pack mules for the summer to move groceries, garbage, feed, duffel, propane etc. to and from town or from camp to camp. Packers are also responsible for keeping their animals fed and shod as well as stocking the wood pile, checking fences etc.
Backcountry Cook: Cooks live in a backcountry camp or lodge, they maintain their camp and prepare meals for the guests. Many cooks enjoy backcountry day rides on their days off or visiting at other camps. Cooks must be confident to ride by themselves and look after their horse when alone in camp as well as camp duties and chores. Meals are ranch style and homemade for groups ranging from 5 – 25. Cooking skills and cleanliness are key for this position. Days start at 6am and finish around 8pm with time off during mid-day when guests are not in camp.
Ideal camp cooks also have great people skills as you are just as much a hostess to your camp as a cook. Keeping the fire on, the coffee hot and the atmosphere warm and friendly is an important part of backcountry hospitality.
Steakfry Cook: These positions work out of the stables and cook for our morning breakfast and evening steakfry rides, they also grocery shop for the backcountry camps and run various other tasks. Cleanliness and organization are very important in this position as groups can range from 5 – 80 for meal rides with an average around 40 each night. The breakfast shift starts at 7am and finishes at 5pm with time off for lunch. The dinner shift starts at 10am and finishes around 8pm, or whenever clean up is completed. Applicants must have a valid drivers license. These positions are great for those without the necessary experience for a trail guiding or backcountry cooking position and who are looking to learn about riding and horses.
Carriage Drivers: Drivers spend their days downtown with their horse and carriage offering tours of the town site, custom weddings and specialized tours. Drivers should be comfortable working with draft horses and are responsible for harnessing, driving tours as well as cleaning both their horse and the carriage on a daily basis. Drivers should be interested in Banff history and learn a bit about the area to share with guests on the tours. Applicants must have a valid drivers license and clean attire. Shift times vary depending on staffing and seasons. Drivers who are able to drive a team will occasionally drive the covered wagon for our Mountain Morning Breakfast Rides and Evening Steak fry rides on which a meal is provided.
Retail/Reservations Staff: The Trail Rider Store in downtown Banff is a busy western shop, which specializes in trail gear, western wear, boots and hats. This is also the reservations point for all of the trail rides and cookouts as well as the hitching post for the horse and carriage tours. The store staff is comprised of horse enthusiasts who prefer to work indoors and 2 days off each week allows plenty of time for staff to take advantage of the free riding. This is also a great position for those without the necessary horse experience for a barn related position.
Requirements
All positions within our company require an interest in the western lifestyle and maintain a dress code of cowboy hats, boots, jeans, and button up – long sleeve shirts. Due to the importance of the western image in our industry, facial piercing’s or tongue piercing’s must be removed anytime you are working or riding.
Western background, farm/horse experience is necessary. Must be at least 18 years of age and a Canadian resident (or carry appropriate Canadian work permits)
Applicants should be able to work well independently, have good people skills and be willing to learn and grow as an employee. We are well-known for our friendly out-going cowboy staff and look for individuals who will fit in with our ‘family’.
Our horses are the hardest working employees we have, therefore, abuse in any capacity will not be tolerated. The use of illegal drugs will also not be tolerated.
We are now accepting applications for the 2009 summer season. To apply, please e-mail you application to warner@horseback.com or fax us at 403-762-8130. Your application should include:
Resume/CV
Cover letter outlining your horse experience
Photo of yourself
All appropriate applicants will be asked to come to Banff for a personal interview. If you are unable to make it to Banff for an interview you may submit a short video introducing yourself, tacking up in western tack and riding around a bit.
For more information about the positions, salaries, starting dates etc. feel free to contact our office at 1-403-762-4551.
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