Ranch Manager Dog Care & Training Operations

Top Dog SF Montara CA

Join the Pack at Top Dog SF

Top Dog SF is seeking a confident experienced and dog-savvy Ranch Manager to lead daily operations at our private dog ranch in Montara CA.

This role is ideal for a hands-on dog professional who thrives outdoors enjoys leading a team and takes pride in creating a safe enriching and well-run environment for dogs and people alike.

The Doggie Ranch Manager is the the day-to-day leader of the ranchoverseeing dog safety supporting staff managing logistics and serving as the primary onsite point of contact. This is a leadership role with real responsibility autonomy and impact.

Why Work With Us

Compensation & Schedule

• Starting at $22/hour based on experience

• MondayFriday schedule

• Consistent daytime hours including:

  • Approximately 4 hours per day onsite at the Dog Ranch

  • Additional remote administrative hours as needed

  • Approximately 30 hours per week

Perks & Benefits

• Paid sick time (up to 80 hours/year)

• Monthly health and mobile data reimbursements

• Pay raises and incentives after 90 days

• Referral bonuses

• Employer-sponsored IRA (CalSavers)

• Paid training and ongoing professional development

• Work outdoors at our private secure dog ranch not a chain or warehouse-style facility

The Role: Ranch Manager

As Ranch Manager you will oversee the daily flow of dogs people and operations while remaining actively involved in dog handling and ranch life.

Core Responsibilities

Dog Care & Safety

• Supervise group play and provide enrichment activities

• Oversee daily dog activities and routines

• Monitor dog behavior health and group dynamics to ensure safety

• Conduct incident tracking as needed including daily and weekly company-wide communication

• Support new dog trials and group dynamic assessments

• Ensure dogs physical and emotional needs are met in all weather conditions

Team Leadership & Support

• Serve as the primary onsite leader and point of contact for Top Dog SF team members

• Lead brief daily huddles and support team communication

• Lead daily dog roll calls and schedule confirmations

• Support onboarding training and coaching of new hires

• Provide feedback and collaborate with leadership on performance and growth

• Foster a positive respectful and team-oriented culture

Ranch Operations & Logistics

• Support daily transportation flow and ranch logistics

• Step in to cover employee breaks or call-outs when needed

• Assist with scheduling dog placement and transportation logistics as needed

• Conduct daily ranch van and equipment safety checks

• Maintain cleanliness organization and safety standards

• Coordinate minor repairs supplies and vendor services for the dog ranch and company vans as needed

Client Communication & Reporting

• Communicate dog updates incidents and observations to leadership

• Support client questions or concerns as they arise

• Maintain accurate records photos and notes related to dogs days

What Were Looking For

You may be a great fit if you:

• Have hands-on experience working with groups of dogs

• Are calm observant and confident handling complex dog dynamics

• Enjoy leading by example and supporting a team

• Are reliable organized and solution-oriented

• Communicate clearly and professionally

• Align with positive-reinforcement force-free dog handling

• Can work outdoors year-round and meet the physical demands of the role

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Certified positive-reinforcement trainer or education in positive-reinforcement training

• 1 year experience in dog care training daycare or a similar setting

• Leadership or supervisory experience (formal or informal)

• Reliable transportation

• Clean driving record

Physical & Work Requirements

• Standing walking bending kneeling and lifting (up to 5075 lbs)

• Ability to move quickly be agile and manage active dogs

• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions

• Exposure to animal dander dirt and typical ranch environments

Application Instructions

Video Submission Required

To move forward in the hiring process please submit both of the following:

1. Your resume

2. A short video introduction (up to 2 minutes)

Your video does not need to be professional or edited a simple phone video is perfect. Please briefly answer the questions below:

1. Dog Safety & Decision-Making
   Tell us about a time you noticed a potential safety issue with dogs or people at work. What did you do and why

2. Team Leadership & Support
   How do you support teammates during a busy or stressful shift while still keeping standards high

3. Problem Solving
   Describe a problem that came up unexpectedly during a workday. How did you handle it and what was the outcome

4. Client Communication & Satisfaction
   If a client is upset or concerned about their dogs day how would you approach that conversation

Please email your resume and video to:
emailprotected

If you have trouble sending your video via email please try using Google Drive. If you are still experiencing issues email us and let us know.

About Top Dog SF

Founded in 2004 Top Dog SF is an award-winning dog walking and positive-reinforcement training company serving San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Our private Montara ranch offers dogs a safe enriching space for structured play exploration and learning. We are a small values-driven business not a chain. Every team member matters and leadership is built through care consistency and professionalism.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Top Dog SF is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusivity and a people-first culture. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities.

Ready to Join the Pack

Apply today and help us create exceptional experiences for dogs clients and our team.