Maintenance Foreman
Santa Ynez, CA | Full-Time | On-Site
$75,000–$90,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
About Us
Barton Thoroughbreds is a family-owned Thoroughbred operation located in Santa Ynez, California. Our approximately 200-acre property supports an active breeding, foaling, boarding, sales, and racing operation.
Maintaining the property is a significant year-round operation. Our facilities include multiple barns and housing units, extensive grounds and landscaping, three wells, substantial irrigation infrastructure, agricultural equipment, and numerous specialized systems and facilities.
We are seeking an experienced Maintenance Foreman to lead the team responsible for keeping this operation running safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
The Position
The Maintenance Foreman oversees approximately 12 employees responsible for the property's grounds, landscaping, equipment, machinery, barns, housing, and general maintenance needs.
This is a hands-on supervisory position. The successful candidate will be comfortable directing a team while also understanding the equipment, systems, and physical work being performed.
The ideal candidate is someone who sees what needs to be done, knows how to prioritize it, communicates clearly, and follows the job through to completion.
This position reports to the Farm Manager and works closely with farm management and other operational departments.
Primary ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise and coordinate approximately 12 maintenance and grounds employees.
- Assign daily work and prioritize projects based on operational needs.
- Monitor work quality, productivity, safety, and completion.
- Train employees in proper equipment operation, maintenance procedures, and safe work practices.
- Communicate effectively with farm management and other departments.
- Maintain a professional, productive, and accountable team environment.
Grounds & Property Maintenance
- Oversee landscaping and grounds maintenance across approximately 200 acres.
- Maintain barns, facilities, employee housing, fencing, roads, and other property infrastructure.
- Identify maintenance needs and address problems before they become significant operational issues.
- Coordinate routine and preventative maintenance throughout the property.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and functional farm environment.
Equipment & Machinery
- Oversee the operation and routine maintenance of tractors, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, and other agricultural and grounds equipment.
- Monitor equipment condition and preventative-maintenance schedules.
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues and determine when repairs can be completed internally versus requiring outside service.
- Maintain awareness of equipment safety and operating procedures.
- Coordinate repairs, parts, and service as needed.
Wells & Irrigation
- Oversee the property's three wells and extensive irrigation infrastructure.
- Monitor irrigation systems and identify problems or potential failures.
- Coordinate necessary repairs and specialty contractors.
- Maintain awareness of seasonal irrigation and water-management needs.
Inventory & Supply Management
- Maintain inventory of essential farm commodities and maintenance-related supplies.
- Monitor hay and shavings inventory and coordinate replenishment as needed.
- Monitor feed inventory and coordinate directly with the farm's feed representative to maintain appropriate supply levels.
- Maintain awareness of feed ordering requirements, including a minimum seven-day lead time for feed orders.
- Anticipate seasonal and operational supply needs to prevent shortages or interruptions to farm operations.
- Communicate significant inventory concerns or anticipated shortages to farm management.
Contractors & Vendors
Coordinate outside contractors and service providers for:
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Construction
- Specialized equipment repair
- Other facility and infrastructure needs
Responsibilities include coordinating contractor access and scheduling around farm operations, monitoring work, communicating project status to management, and maintaining professional relationships with vendors and contractors.
Emergency & Farm Operations Support
- Respond appropriately to urgent maintenance and facility issues.
- Support emergency needs affecting farm operations.
- Drive company vehicles as authorized.
- Maintain eligibility under the Company's vehicle insurance program.
- Be capable of transporting a horse trailer to an equine veterinary hospital/clinic when necessary during an emergency.
QualificationsRequired
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a comparable maintenance, facilities, ranch, farm, or agricultural supervisory position.
- Demonstrated experience supervising a maintenance, grounds, or facilities team.
- Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.
- Strong experience operating and maintaining tractors, mowers, and agricultural/grounds equipment.
- Experience with irrigation systems, wells, pumps, or other agricultural water infrastructure.
- Experience coordinating HVAC, electrical, plumbing, construction, and other specialty contractors.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing maintenance needs.
- Strong communication, organization, leadership, and follow-through.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
- Ability to qualify for and maintain coverage under the Company's vehicle insurance program.
- Ability to work outdoors and perform physically active work in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to work a Monday–Saturday schedule beginning at approximately 6:00 AM.
Preferred Experience
- Previous equine, ranch, or livestock experience.
- Welding or fabrication experience.
- Construction experience.
- Advanced irrigation experience.
- Experience maintaining employee housing.
- Experience managing preventative-maintenance programs.
- Experience working on a large agricultural property.
- Experience operating or maintaining horse trailers and farm vehicles.
Compensation & BenefitsSalary
$75,000–$90,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
Employer-Sponsored Medical Coverage
Eligible employees may enroll in the Company's employer-sponsored medical insurance plan. The Company currently pays 90% of the employee's monthly premium, with the employee responsible for the remaining 10%. Dependent coverage is available at the employee's expense.
Paid Time Off
Eligible full-time employees accrue one day of PTO for each full month worked.
- PTO begins accruing upon employment.
- PTO may be used beginning the month following completion of the 90-day introductory period.
- Employees accrue 12 PTO days after one full year of employment.
- PTO accrues without a cap.
- Unused accrued PTO is paid out upon termination in accordance with Company policy and applicable law.
- PTO may be used in minimum increments of four hours.
- More than one consecutive week of PTO requires prior approval.
Paid Sick Leave
Eligible employees receive 40 hours (five days) of paid sick leave per year in accordance with California law.
Paid Holidays
Eligible employees receive the Company's designated paid holidays.
Company Housing
Company housing may become available following successful completion of the 90-day introductory period, subject to availability and Company approval.
Schedule
This is a full-time, on-site position. Monday–Saturday 6:00 AM–4:00 PM
The nature of a working farm occasionally requires flexibility when urgent maintenance or operational issues arise.
Who We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is:
- Dependable
- Experienced
- Mechanically minded
- Hands-on
- A strong leader
- Bilingual
- Organized
- Safety-conscious
- Proactive
- Comfortable making decisions
- Able to communicate effectively with employees, management, and contractors
- Comfortable working independently
- Proud of the quality of their work
The right candidate will understand that maintenance is not simply about fixing things after they break. It is about anticipating problems, maintaining equipment and infrastructure, managing people effectively, maintaining adequate supplies, and keeping the entire property operating safely and efficiently.
Why Us?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a significant and varied maintenance operation within an established Thoroughbred organization.
The Maintenance Foreman plays a critical role in supporting the horses, employees, facilities, equipment, and day-to-day operations of the farm.
For the right person, this is a long-term management opportunity with meaningful responsibility, a stable working environment, and the opportunity to become an integral part of the Barton Thoroughbreds team.
To Apply
Please submit a resume outlining your relevant experience, including:
- Supervisory experience
- Agricultural/ranch/facilities experience
- Equipment and machinery experience
- Irrigation/well experience
- Contractor/vendor management experience
- Inventory or supply management experience
- Relevant certifications or specialized skills
Please also provide at least three professional references, including names, current contact information, and your professional relationship to each reference.
Candidates selected for further consideration will participate in an interview process that may include an on-site interview and property walk-through.
Barton Thoroughbreds is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- Heavy equipment operation: 3 years (Preferred)
- Irrigation: 2 years (Preferred)
- Leadership: 3 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
