Ranch Operator 1

Primary Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Cow-Calf Operations (Calving Season)

• Assist with daily cow-calf herd care, including feeding, monitoring herd health, and administering treatments under established health protocols.  
• Monitor pregnant cows during calving, assist with difficult deliveries (dystocia) as needed, and process newborn calves (tagging, weighing, vaccinating).
• Maintain clean, safe calving environments and monitor pasture/shelter conditions to minimize risk and stress to livestock.  
• Assist with sorting, weaning, processing, and transferring cattle across locations as directed.  
• Maintain accurate individual animal records, health logs, and calving documentation.

2. Irrigation Systems & Seasonal Operations (Post-Calving)

• Operate, monitor, and adjust center pivot, linear, or surface irrigation systems according to soil moisture needs and crop schedules.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor mechanical repairs on pumps, engines, pipelines, and pivot equipment.
• Inspect fields and irrigation equipment daily to ensure optimal water distribution and prevent runoff or wastage.
• Assist with seasonal pasture management, fence maintenance, forage handling, and field setup as required.

3. Safety, Compliance, and Facility Maintenance

• Adhere to all safety regulations, biosecurity protocols, and animal welfare standards set by the organization and regulatory bodies.  
• Maintain and repair equipment, tools, pens, fences, and facility infrastructure to ensure safe operations.  
• Operate farm machinery, tractors, UTVs, and handling equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• Keep work areas and equipment clean, orderly, and well-maintained.  

4. Teamwork and Communication

• Maintain open, active communication with herd managers, farm managers, and leadership regarding livestock health and equipment status.  
• Collaborate across departments to balance labor demands between livestock and crop/irrigation priorities.  
• Represent the organization with professionalism, teamwork, and alignment with core company values.  

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Requires heavy physical labor, including lifting, bending, climbing, and working outdoors in extreme weather conditions (cold during calving, heat during irrigation season).
• Requires flexible working hours, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and potential night shifts during peak calving season.
• Must be comfortable working in close proximity to large livestock and operating heavy machinery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years of hands-on experience in cow-calf production, calving operations, or general livestock management.
• Practical experience operating and maintaining agricultural irrigation systems (center pivots preferred).
• Basic mechanical aptitude and experience operating farm tractors, skid steers, and livestock handling equipment.
• Strong observation skills for identifying livestock illness, calving distress, or mechanical equipment issues.