Couple wanted for Visitor Center and Light Maintenance - Fort Davis, TX

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WEST TEXAS - The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, located 4 miles south of Fort Davis, is centered in a tourist destination that includes Fort Davis National Historic Site, The Davis Mountains State Park and the University of Texas McDonald Observatory.   We have year-round visitors that come to enjoy our stunning vistas, hiking trails, botanical garden, cacti greenhouse, Mining Heritage Exhibit and Geology Exhibit.  In exchange for FHU (which includes Wi-Fi, laundry facility and cell service), we are seeking a couple to share the responsibilities of working at the Information Desk  in our indoor Visitor Center as well as helping with the general upkeep of the grounds.   Customer service skills are a must and an interest in nature is a plus.   We require 24 hrs a week per person, which leaves plenty of time for you to check out the beauty of this area.   This will be a 3-6 month assignment, which will allow you to maintain a traveling lifestyle, while still enjoying the peaceful beauty of our mountain desert region.

Managers/Partners of Organic Farm/Ranch - Smyrna, SC

I am seeking a couple as managing partners of an 80 acre farm/ranch in South Carolina. The farm is located in a very small, very rural town, but less than 45 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The farm has been in operation since 2008, but a formal vision and plan were not developed until 2012. Presently the farm has 30 goats (mostly 100% Purebred New Zealand Kikos), 22 purebred pasture raised Berkshire hogs, 700 free range layer chickens, 22 Khaki Campbell ducks, and two huge, but very friendly, Great Pyrenees Live Stock Guard Dogs to protect all of the animals. We occasionally host families and other small groups and we have conducted an arts & craft fair and a family farm day.

The farm is not yet cash flow positive, with the owner (me) making up the shortfall. With good management the operation can be profitable within weeks or at most a few months. Once profitability is reached, compensation will be a 50/50 split of profits, with a potential of $100,000+ to the managers within 4 years.

The position includes a three bedroom/two bath house at no cost to the managers. The owner will continue to cover the shortfall until the farm is cash flow positive. However, the successful candidates must be able to live with no income from the farm, except the house, until the farm is profitable. I insist on verification that the new partners can support themselves for a minimum of one year. For this reason, the positions may be perfect for a retired couple.

After an initiation period the managing couple will be completely responsible for operation of the farm and all related business activities. Strategic decisions will be made collaboratively with the owner. My participation will be to pet baby goats and enjoy the farm.

The farm represents a capital investment of more than $500,000, which I am making available at no cost to the successful candidates. We have about 90 acres at our disposal. Forty three acres are fenced into 5 pastures, with about one third wooded, one third in coastal bermuda, and the remainder in a mix of clover and endophyte free fescue. We have a barn, a small building suitable for selling farm products, a well rated at 66 GPM (sufficient for truck crop irrigation), a 288 egg incubator, chicken coops and brooders, a tractor (very old), numerous implements(all new), an ATV, several trailers, a few fruit trees, etc. All of the basic equipment and infrastructure to operate the farm are in place. My wife and I own everything free and clear.

I believe this is a RARE opportunity for a couple with an interest in organic farming/ranching and other traditional farm related activities.

While the actual farm work can be hard, the key to success are the non-farm aspects of our long term plan. Over the past five years, I have employed three managers all of whom proved excellent at farm operations, but all made zero progress in implementing other aspects of our plan.

My long term vision is a farm based on traditional organic farming techniques with free range animals, fruit trees, berries, vegetables, and an educational camping program. We will market all of our products under our own label directly to the public, and upscale Charlotte restaurants. Naturally we cannot compete in price with large mega farms, so our products will be aimed at the niche market of consumers who are concerned about the introduction of chemicals and hormones into our food and environment

     • Our immediate plan includes:

          o Develop and implement marketing plan for the Berkshire pigs

          o Increase chicken layer flock to 2,000

          o Marketing of 100% New Zealand Kiko breeder stock

          o Increase duck flock and develop plan for selling duck eggs o Growing flowers for sale

          o Farm events ?

               o Children farm days ?

               o School tours ?

               o Arts & crafts fairs ?

               o Easter egg hunts ?

               o Halloween nights ?

               o Etc.

         o Farm Rentals ?

              o Birthday parties ?

              o Weddings ?

              o Outings for civic clubs, churches, environmental groups, etc. ?

              o Etc.

Future activities in our long term vision includes:

          • Farm outlet store

          • Truck crops

          • Pick-Your-Own berries, fruits, and vegetables

          • Christmas trees

          • Honey

          • Turkeys and other fowl

We are planning a campground to allow families to spend a few days learning about traditional farming and caring for the animals. We have an Indian mound, three Indian graves, and an old gold mine. Samples from the mine have recently been assayed by a major Canadian gold company and economically attractive gold levels were confirmed. Consideration is being given to reopening the mine.

I can teach any healthy motivated person all he/she needs to know about farming and caring for the animals. Some of the most difficult tasks are moving 50 pound sacks of feed, using a chainsaw to cut up fallen trees, and repairing fences. Rough carpentry (building pens and coops) and repairing small engine equipment (ATV, lawnmower, chainsaw, etc.) are definite positive skills.

The areas where experience is needed are event planning and marketing, specifically:

         • Developing and implementing marketing plans

         • Direct selling at farmer’s markets, fairs, flea markets

         • Sales to upscale restaurants

         • Planning and conducting events such as craft fairs, children’s events, etc.

         • Maintaining and updating Internet site and Facebook page

         • Internet marketing • Internet advertising, primarily via Facebook

         • General PC skills including maintaining our web site and Internet page.

The life of a farmer is very confining, the animals must be tended every day. Caring for the animals and collecting eggs require about two hours per day. For days off and vacation, the manager, at his/her expense, can hire a local person at less than $10 per hour, equating to about $20 for each day you take off. I live about 25 miles away and can always assist in a true emergency. For the first two months or so, I will work very closely with the new managers until they are comfortable with their new positions.

Once you contact me, I will send you much more information including income projections. I will also furnish you our Internet and Facebook access information. The failure to achieve very well defined goals has been discussed present managers and they have been informed that I am looking for replacements. However, they manage our internet sites and I want to avoid candidates attempting to make direct contact via those sites.

FEATURED JOB OPENING: Storage Management Team - Oxford, AL

Is responsible for all aspects of storage transactions, truck, trailer and SRI rentals, sales, customer assistance, record-keeping, collections, and security at U-Haul storage centers.

Effectively and economically manage storage rentals to ensure occupancy is maximized and delinquency is maintained at or below the 5% standard. Ensure storage area and rooms are clean, dry and secure at all times. Perform rental worthy inspection of U-Haul trucks, trailers, car-top carriers, tow bars, hitches, storage rooms and GRI. Ensure that all equipment dispatched is "fit for intended use" and "customer ready" and that the customer returns the equipment in the same condition (allowing for normal wear and tear). Open and close facility according to established procedures. Maintain storage records, etc. on-line using available computerized systems at the storage location. Comply with U-Haul objectives, policies, programs and procedures. Delegate responsibility and assign tasks daily. May hire, motivate, train, evaluate subordinate work performance, set work schedules, and administer discipline up to and including termination.

Note: Essential functions are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Inn-keeper Couple - San Gerardo de Rivas, Chirripo National Park - Costa Rica

The Casa Mariposa is looking for an outgoing, energetic and responsible couple or individual for the position of Seasonal Lead Host. This position provides free lodging (private room) and a stipend as well as other incentives. Duration of position Novemer 1 through April 31 (3 month minimum)

Casa Mariposa is a rustic guesthouse located at the trailhead to Mt. Chirripo, Costa Rica.  Many travelers come to the area not only for the Park, but to enjoy the cool air, free-access hiking, waterfalls, slow village life and beautiful high elevation forest. We enjoy providing simple, down-to-earth,  environmentally concious lodging to independent travellers.  We cultivate a  peaceful environment where people can hopefully relax and explore, connect to the local surroundings, and let go of some of the stress of traveling. This is what we were looking for when we were on the road!

The local village still maintains its culture and charm, and most families practice agriculture. It's an early to bed, early to rise life style. There are many micro-businesses nearby including nature reserves, chocolate artisans, a warm spring, trout fishing, botanical gardens and restaurants in family homes.

Though the village may be slow moving, days at the hostel are active, multi-lingual and multi-cultural. Our Family style guesthouse has a common kitchen for guest use (no restaurant). We can house up to 22 guests and are often busy during the high season from Dec 1 to April 31.

The Lead Host position duties include:

Oversight, direction and participation in the work exchange team

The Lead Host is responsible for guest services, continuity and communication between shifts, orientation and scheduling of work exchange volunteer(s), as well as hosting during the afternoon/evening shift (2-9pm).  The hostel is a very dynamic place and we break the day broadly into a morning shift 6:30am -2pm  and an afternoon shift 2pm -9pm.  There is dedicated cleaning staff most mornings managed by the owners. Additionally, we usually have one work exchange volunteer to work the morning guest service shift.  The owners and local staff are involved in several community projects (tree planting, recycling) and also innovative home projects and all team members are encouraged to participate (in Spanish!).

House hosting for the evening shift

The evening position involves a high level of guest interaction, welcoming and orienting incoming guests, assisting with preparations for the Chirripo hike, offering advice for day hikes in the area, directing kitchen traffic, running a hot tub for a weary hiker, maintaining a warm and congenial atmosphere. Duties will also include settling guest accounts, guest laundry, and light cleaning of the common areas. The Lead Host team will manage reservations and inquiries by email and phone and a proficiency in Spanish and English is required.

Light maintence

Light bulbs will need to be changed and toilets may need to be unclogged. The power may go out when everyone is without their flashlights. A successful Lead Host Team will be resourceful and capable of taking charge during unexpected everyday occurrences of running a guesthouse. Although the owners are available most of the time, there will be times when Lead Hosts are the main problem solvers.

Skills and Qualifications

Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Spanish. A helpful and friendly disposition. Empathy. Neatness. Time management skills. Must be able to attend to work obligations while in a social setting. Independent and self-directed.  Well-developed sense of personal and social boundaries. 

Must be physically fit. We are situated in a area of steep terrain. Most transportation in the local area is by foot.  Hikes in the area are from moderate to quite difficult and as a Host, you will be expected to be familiar with the area in order to be a source of good information for the guests.

Handling money and accurate settling of accounts.

Must be cat and dog and forest-creature friendly. The hostel is non-toxic and we do not use synthetic pesticides. We appreciate and re-locate wayward forest creatures.

FEATURED JOB OPENING: Couple Needed to Manage Alpaca Ranch and Market Alpaca Products - Defiance, MO

Alpaca ranch in Defiance, Missouri has an immediate long-term opportunity for an experienced live on premises couple to manage alpaca ranch and market and sell alpaca products on our website. We are looking for a hardworking, honest, and hospitable couple. Live on premises provided in a separate 3-bedroom ranch home and will also be provided a vehicle for ranch chores and local alpaca shows.

Management duties will include barn, pasture, and fence maintenance, as well as, alpaca registration, herd health and reproductive management, taking alpaca to local and regional trade shows, and selling alpacas. Marketing experience is a plus and marketing duties will include assisting with web development, internet sales, and shipping of alpaca products. Qualified individuals must be internet savvy.

Monthly salary included with a bonus for the sales of alpacas and alpaca products. Income potential is unlimited. Prefer to be contacted via email. Drug free and three references required.

Immediate Opening for Part-Time Managers of Texas Hill Country RV Park - Buchanan Dam, TX

Immediate opening for energetic, non-smoking, non-drinking retired couple for part-time management position (2-3 days per week) of established, family-owned Hill Country RV park on upper end of Lake LBJ. Must own RV (no more than 10 years old), love working with people, have office skills and be physically able to do cleaning, light grounds keeping, and simple maintenance. Would prefer a couple that is willing to stay year round, although work campers will be considered. RV site (FHU) provided. Please submit resume, as well as pictures of yourself and your RV. References required. For more information about our park, please visit our website.