Patagonia Frontiers offers opportunities for work on our wilderness ranches in Patagonia, Chile. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for those with an appetite for adventure, can-do attitude, like-minded philosophy, and ability to meet the physical challenges of living in a remote wilderness location. This includes tent-camping all season and being able to work outside in all types of weather (read more about what to expect), with only intermittent access to cell and internet service. Please note positions require a six-month commitment: the work crew season begins mid-October and lasts until mid-April. 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

When you join the Patagonia Frontiers team, you become part of our community. While each position requires specific skills and experience (see below), all community members should expect to assist in various ranch, student, and guest responsibilities. Successful applicants possess the ability to work in a team in a multicultural environment, maintain a positive attitude amid changing conditions, and are able to communicate effectively with guests and students in a dynamic environment. Beneficial skills include: First aid, wilderness living, chainsaw, trail and fence work, greenhouse, cooking, customer service, ranch skills, and Spanish language proficiency.

Both paid and work-for-stay positions are open for consideration based on applicant experience and skill sets. We will consider pairs of friends and/or couples.  

We have two positions we are currently recruiting for:

  • HORSE WRANGLER/TRAINER

  • WORK CREW (WORK FOR STAY)

ROLE: HORSE WRANGLER / TRAINER - 2024-2025 season (Filled)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:   The wrangler/trainer position(s) will concentrate on working with 18-20 Chilean Criollo horses of various ages.  The successful candidate(s) will reinforce training with experienced horses, transition other horses towards use with staff and clients and continue groundwork with younger horses.  Previous horse packing and guiding experience is a plus.  The position also involves care of tack and equipment.  As a staff or work crew member the candidate will participate in various ranch, guest and student responsibilities.  They will also work at tasks such as fence repair; managing cattle; felling, bucking, and  splitting firewood; assisting staff with guests and students on courses, hikes, supported treks, and horseback rides; supply runs (involving boat and vehicle travel); pasture clearing;  trail maintenance; packing supplies; and packing loads of building materials to remote ranches.  Crew members live in a geographically isolated community sharing chores that include meal preparation and cleanup, and care of shared and personal spaces.  The horse wrangler/trainer position(s) begins October, 2023 and lasts until mid-April 2024.  Workers sleep in their own tents and prepare their own meals as a team from supplied staples and personal additions.  Both paid and work for stay positions are open for consideration based on applicant experience and skill sets.  Please indicate one or both. We will consider pairs of friends and/or couples.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants should have solid experience working with and/or training horses and must be able to work outside in all types of weather. They must be able to live in a tent on a wilderness ranch for the length of the position, must be able to work in a team in a multi-cultural environment, maintain a positive attitude, and be able to work effectively with guests and students in a dynamic environment. First aid, wilderness living, chainsaw, trail and fence work, greenhouse, cooking, customer service, ranch skills and Spanish language skills are beneficial.

REQUIRED SKILLS:  Solid previous experience working with and training horses.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:  Applicants may please send a résumé or CV and cover letter to info@patagoniafrontiers.com for more information.  Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted and then will follow our screening and application requirements: follow up conversation with work crew recruiter, application questionnaire, three reference letters. NOLS course graduates should include their course evaluation.

ROLE: WORK CREW (WORK FOR STAY PROGRAM) - 2024-2025 season (CURRENTLY RECRUITING)

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Crew members participate in various ranch, guest and student duties, such as fence repair; working with horses and cattle; felling, cutting, and splitting firewood; construction and building maintenance; assisting guides with guests on hikes, supported treks, horseback rides and mountain climbs; supply runs (involving boat and vehicle travel); bridge building; pasture clearing; greenhouse and vegetable gardening; caring for the orchard; preparing rooms and gear for guests; trail maintenance; packing supplies on treks; small engine repair; administrative work; shore and stream restoration, invasive species removal; and carrying heavy and awkward loads to remote locations. In addition, crewmembers participate in community, group, camp and guest chores including meal preparation, cleanup, and care of shared and personal spaces.

High season is from mid-October to April. We prefer crew members that are available for the full six month season.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants must be able to work outside in all types of weather. They must be able to live in a tent on a wilderness ranch for the length of the position, must be able to work in a team in a multi-cultural environment, maintain a positive attitude, and be able to work effectively with guests and students in a dynamic environment. First aid, wilderness living, chainsaw, trail and fence work, greenhouse, cooking, customer service, ranch skills and Spanish language skills are beneficial.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:  Interested parties should contact info@patagoniafrontiers.com for screening and application requirements.  Once contacted applicants will be provided with an application questionnaire. Please submit application questionnaire, your résumé, three reference letters and a cover letter all in one email. NOLS course graduates should include their course evaluation. *If you had previously written to us and haven’t heard back from us, please resend information to new address @info.