Events Operations Worker TEMP - Barns and Arenas

Larimer County; Colorado; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Larimer County's Ranch in Loveland, CO is seeking hands‑on staff to prepare, maintain, and tear down event spaces in livestock barns and equestrian arenas. You will work closely with equipment, animals, and event staff to ensure a safe, clean, and professional environment for guests and participants.

As part of the Events Operations team, you will support rodeos, horse shows, livestock exhibitions, and other barn‑based programming.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License preferred.

Responsibilities

• Preparing livestock and equestrian areas for events by setting up and tearing down stalls, panels, alleyways, wash racks, tack areas, chutes, and other animal‑specific infrastructure.
• Ensuring barns, arenas, and surrounding areas are clean, organized, and properly bedded with shavings or straw before, during, and after events.
• Performing routine barn maintenance such as repairing stalls, fixing gates, maintaining plumbing for wash racks, clearing drains, and keeping walking surfaces safe for animals and people.
• Operating tractors and other equipment to drag arenas, move footing or shavings, pull manure wagons, and maintain consistent footing for events.
• Providing direct support to show staff, event promoters, and participants by handling special requests, troubleshooting stall assignments, and coordinating animal load‑in/load‑out.
• Ensuring public safety and animal welfare by monitoring access points, maintaining clear fire lanes and emergency exits, and enforcing facility rules.
• Assisting with feeding and watering livestock during multi‑day events in coordination with promoters or animal care staff.
• Monitoring and reporting concerns such as biosecurity risks, loose or injured animals, and facility damage.

Skills

Animal handling

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Stamina

Education

Driver's license preferred

Ages 18+ required

Tools

Tractors

Arena drags

Forklifts

Skid steers

Job description

Join our hardworking and dedicated team at The Ranch supporting a wide range of livestock and equestrian events. In this hands‑on role, you'll help prepare, maintain, and tear down event spaces within our livestock barns and equestrian arenas. You’ll work directly with equipment, animals, and event staff to ensure a safe, clean, and professional environment for both guests and participants.

This position is part of the Events Operations team, which is responsible for the physical setup and operational support of events held across The Ranch campus. Workers in this role are essential to the success of rodeos, horse shows, livestock exhibitions, and other barn‑based programming. Ideal candidates are comfortable around animals, experienced with equipment like tractors and arena drags, and ready to work hard in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment.

At The Ranch in Loveland, CO, we're not just another venue; we're a dynamic hub of entertainment, events, and community engagement. As a member of our team, you'll find yourself at the heart of an operation that seamlessly orchestrates everything from thrilling concerts and captivating trade shows to heartwarming community gatherings and adrenaline‑pumping rodeos. Working here isn't just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of something truly special, where every day brings new challenges and exciting experiences. Whether you're coordinating logistics behind the scenes, delighting guests with exceptional service, or contributing creatively to our diverse range of events, you'll be immersed in a fast‑paced environment where innovation and passion collide. Join us at The Ranch and embark on a journey where your skills are valued, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a real difference.

What you'll be doing

• Preparing livestock and equestrian areas for events by setting up and tearing down stalls, panels, alleyways, wash racks, tack areas, chutes, and other animal‑specific infrastructure.
• Ensuring barns, arenas, and surrounding areas are clean, organized, and properly bedded with shavings or straw before, during, and after events.
• Performing routine barn maintenance such as repairing stalls, fixing gates, maintaining plumbing for wash racks, clearing drains, and keeping walking surfaces safe for animals and people.
• Operating tractors and other equipment to drag arenas, move footing or shavings, pull manure wagons, and maintain consistent footing for events.
• Providing direct support to show staff, event promoters, and participants by handling special requests, troubleshooting stall assignments, and coordinating animal load‑in/load‑out.
• Ensuring public safety and animal welfare by monitoring access points, maintaining clear fire lanes and emergency exits, and enforcing facility rules.
• Assisting with feeding and watering livestock during multi‑day events in coordination with promoters or animal care staff.
• Monitoring and reporting concerns such as biosecurity risks, loose or injured animals, and facility damage.

What we're looking for

• Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, or overnight shifts during large‑scale or multi‑day shows.
• Working knowledge of livestock and equestrian facility operations, including animal behavior, safe handling practices, and event flow.
• Familiarity with standard event types including rodeos, horse shows, livestock jackpots, breed shows, and 4‑H/FFA events.
• Ability to operate arena‑specific equipment (e.g., arena drags, water trucks, skid steers, forklifts) with care and precision in tight areas or around animals.
• Knowledge of how to effectively prepare and maintain an arena for specific equestrian disciplines such as reining, barrel racing, rodeo events, or hunter/jumper competitions—including drag patterns, footing requirements, gate placement, and safe entry/exit flow for horses and riders.
• Capable of identifying safety hazards for animals and people and taking appropriate corrective action (e.g., removing sharp objects, securing loose panels, etc.).
• Comfortable working in high‑stress, fast‑paced environments around animals, the public, and show staff.
• Understanding of basic biosecurity practices and facility sanitization following livestock events.

Required Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License preferred.

Benefits

For all temporary positions, sick leave and our Employee Assistance Program are available and other benefits may be available.

Schedule and Working Hours

The typical schedule for this position is 56 hours per pay period (28 hours per week). Weekend availability is required due to the nature of events held at The Ranch, and holiday work may be necessary during major events. This position does not include any overnight, on‑call, or remote work responsibilities. Expected to last 12 months.

• Holiday work may be required during major events.
• This position does not include overnight, on‑call, or remote work responsibilities.
• A flexible schedule is required, including the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks or testing.

Larimer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment in all employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation.