Ranch Auto/Equipment Mechanic

Ranch Mechanic / Equipment Technician

Weston, Colorado — Full-Time Position (Seasonal Possible)

About the Ranch

We are a 36,000-acre working guest ranch and outfitting operation located in the remote mountains of southern Colorado. The ranch operates year-round and encompasses a full-service hunting and guest operation, active cattle and horse programs, large-scale forestry and fuel break projects, fire suppression infrastructure, irrigation systems, and extensive construction and improvement programs. The property sits at high elevation in rugged terrain, far from the nearest dealership or parts supplier. Our mechanic is not just a repair technician — they are a critical backbone of everything we do.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, self-motivated, and even-tempered Ranch Mechanic to manage the maintenance, repair, and fabrication needs of a fleet of 30 vehicles and pieces of equipment. This is a full-time, year-round position on the ranch. For the right person, it could be reduced to seasonal, with a minimum of nine months. The successful candidate will be the primary point of contact for all mechanical needs on the property, working closely with ranch management and the rest of the team to keep the operation running smoothly through every season.

This is a shop position, but not a typical one. Repairs are done either in our shop, which has a lift, or out in the field using our full-service truck. Our mechanic works in a remote environment where parts can take days to arrive, where improvisation and creative problem-solving are daily requirements, and where a broken-down vehicle during hunting season or a downed piece of equipment during a critical work window has real operational consequences. We need someone who thrives under those conditions rather than being frustrated by them.

Personality and the ability to work closely as part of a team take priority over experience and skill.

Fleet & Equipment Overview

The mechanic will be responsible for a diverse and demanding fleet that includes but is not limited to:

• Diesel trucks — including heavy-duty Ram/Cummins, Ford F-250/F-350, flatbed configurations, and dually platforms
• Toyota Tacomas (multiple) primary guest and ranch hand vehicles, including standard and automatic transmissions
• Gas-powered passenger and utility vehicles — Suburban, Excursion, Tundra, and others
• Side-by-sides — Can-Am Defenders, John Deere Gators, and other UTV platforms
• Skid steers / ASVs — both large and small track-driven platforms
• Caterpillar dozer
• Hitachi excavator
• John Deere tractors (large and small)
• Case Backhoe
• Jeep fleet — rebuilt and lifted for ranch terrain
• Trailers — gooseneck, pipe trailers, flatbeds, livestock
• Fire trucks — including two large pump trucks with water cannons and suppression systems, and Oshkosh-style vehicles
• Snowplows, welders, and other shop equipment

Primary Responsibilities

• Diagnose, repair, and maintain all vehicles and equipment across the ranch fleet, from basic fluid changes to complex engine rebuilds
• Perform and track all preventative maintenance — oil changes, fluid checks, filter replacements, belt and hose inspection, and scheduled service intervals across the entire fleet
• Manage parts ordering — identifying the right parts, sourcing efficiently, balancing urgency against cost, and maintaining working relationships with suppliers including dealers, OEM sources, and aftermarket vendors
• Metal fabrication and welding — including building flatbeds, custom bumpers, snowplow feet, irrigation pipe trailers, quick-response fire rigs, wheel wells, brush guards, winch mounts, and other custom fabrication as needed
• Maintain the shop in clean, organized, and functional condition at all times
• Keep accurate digital records of all service work, parts usage, costs, and vehicle histories
• Diagnose and address fault codes and electronic issues across diesel and gas platforms
• Assist with tire mounting, balancing, and flat repairs on-site
• Support the broader ranch team during high-demand periods — hunting season, guest operations, and major construction or forestry projects
• Coordinate with outside specialists and dealers when repairs exceed on-site capabilities

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on mechanical experience with a diverse fleet — diesel and gasoline engines, heavy equipment, and light vehicles
• Strong diesel engine expertise — Cummins, Duramax, and Powerstroke experience preferred
• Proficiency with MIG and stick welding; fabrication experience strongly preferred
• Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, hydraulic schematics, and service manuals
• Experience with electronic diagnostics — ability to run codes, interpret data, and troubleshoot electronically controlled systems
• Competence with heavy equipment including tracked machines, dozers, and skid steers
• Strong computer skills — comfortable using software to order parts, maintain digital maintenance records, and communicate via email
• Ability to work independently, manage a large and varied workload, and prioritize effectively
• Valid driver's license; CDL preferred but not required

Who We Are Looking For

Beyond technical skill, character matters enormously in this role. We have a tight-knit, hardworking team and the right person will be a positive presence within it. Specifically:

• Even-tempered and patient — our guests and ranch hands are not always gentle with equipment. Vehicles get stuck, tires get punctured, and machines get pushed past their limits. We need someone who can address damage without frustration or blame and simply get things back up and running
• A team player — the mechanic, interacts daily with guides, wranglers, ranch hands, forestry crews, and management. Attitude and approachability matter as much as skill
• Organized and detail-oriented — with 30 pieces of equipment, staying ahead of maintenance rather than always reacting to breakdowns requires a disciplined, systematic approach
• Resourceful and creative — when a part is three days out and we need the vehicle tomorrow; we need someone who can engineer a temporary solution rather than simply wait
• Honest and accountable — we trust our mechanic to give us straight assessments on what is fixable in-house and what needs outside help, and to be transparent about costs and timelines

Living & Working Conditions

This is a live-in position on the ranch. Housing is provided on-site in a remote mountain setting. The nearest town with basic services is approximately 45 minutes away; Colorado Springs and Pueblo are the nearest cities with major parts suppliers and dealers (two or more hours away).

The ranch is a busy, active environment with a working guest operation running much of the year. The mechanic will be expected to be available and responsive during hunting season and other high-demand periods. This is not a 9-to-5 job — there will be weeks that are quiet and weeks that are extremely demanding.

No family housing is available, and pets are not allowed. Couples are welcome only if both partners are employed at the ranch. Kitchen and dining positions are available for a partner who can fill a culinary or support role. Single candidates are equally welcome. Staff who choose to find their own off-site housing receive increased pay.

Cell service and internet are limited in some areas of the property. Candidates should be genuinely comfortable with remote living and the pace, isolation, and self-sufficiency that comes with it. If you thrive in wide-open country, enjoy the outdoors, and want to build something with a team that takes pride in their work, this is a rare opportunity.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, approximately $40,000 to $45,000 per year, plus gratuity and year end bonus
• Housing provided on-site, or increased pay if you secure your own housing
• Utilities included
• Meals provided
• 401(k) with 7% match after 1 year
• Health insurance
• Multiple other employee benefits
• Access to some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation country in America

Employment is contingent on a satisfactory background check and a pre-employment drug screen. Because this position involves operating ranch vehicles and heavy equipment, we maintain a drug-free workplace.

To apply, please send a resume and a brief description of your mechanical background and experience to: jdunlap@thebarniranch.com. Include photos of fabrication work if available. Applications without relevant experience will not be considered.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $3,000.00 - $3,500.00 per month

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Tools provided

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $45,000