Ranch Intern

***This is a seasonal position from May 30th - August 1st, 2025***

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Ranch Manager (ARM) works closely with the Ranch Program team to provide a safe and fun ranch experience for our participants. The ARM will help the ranch team facilitate ranch activities with our participants including but not limited to; warm-up exercises, games on and off the horses, catching the horses, leading the horses, grooming, saddling, equine care, and horsemanship. The ARM helps in the feeding and caring of the animals as well as assists instructors in teaching equine care and beginner horsemanship skills in groups or private sessions. The ARM will take over for the Ranch Manager in all aspects of ranch operations such as administering lessons, feeding, and caring for animals, and keeping track of billing and paperwork. The ARM will work in proximity with our campers and may need to assist with behavior prevention & mitigation and activities of daily living.

TASKS

• Work with and around farm animals including feeding and minor veterinary care.


• Be able to conduct an hour-long beginner to intermediate horseback riding lesson.


• Work with clients who have challenging behaviors that may include physical aggression toward others.


• Work in an outdoor environment requires situational awareness and quick thinking.


• Collaborates with Ascendigo Coaches and Interns to create sport lessons plans and goals that meet the client’s needs.


• Act as a teacher and advocate for our clients.


• Build a positive rapport with clients and facilitate FUN!


• Oversee client well-being and safety in a camp setting.


• Work positively as a team with all Ascendigo staff


• Attend client and staff meetings and training as scheduled.


• Communicate with manager.

IN ADDITION

• Must have a clean background check with no felonies or flags


• Must provide a current CPR/First Aid certification


• High school diploma required


• Applicants are required to have and use their own phone for work duties


• Basic computer skills (MS Office, email, social media)


• Must be able to lift and move heavy objects (up to 50 pounds)

DESTINATION ASCENDIGO: Ascendigo’s mission is to elevate the spectrum by empowering people, inspiring lives, and shattering expectations. We apply this mission to both the people we serve and the people we work with.

Ascendigo is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of children and adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through therapeutic recreation, employment, community integration, education, and an array of behavioral health services. We are head-quartered in Carbondale, CO.

The ASCENDIGO PROMISE to our employees is to provide meaning and purpose in the work we do. We support high performance through thoughtful onboarding and training and acting with integrity. We offer 360° compensation with a path to financial security, personal well-being and fulfillment, and housing assistance.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: should be committed and passionate about the Ascendigo mission of holistic, active, community-based, independent, and person-centered life. Belief in the dignity and potential of our clients. Ascendigo is committed to a culture of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

• R-Recognize the inherent worth of your coworkers.


• E- Eliminate derogatory words and phrases.


• S- Speak with people- not at them- or about them.


• P-Protect the culture of your organization- report and support!


• E- Empathize- consider what it is like in others’ situations.


• C-Consider your impact on others before speaking and apologize when you make a mistake.


• T- Treat everyone with integrity, dignity, and respect.