General Ranch Worker

Job description

Crops: Cattle
Must be able to drive ATVs. Repair fencing prior to grazing season and repair as needed throughout grazing season. Fence repairs may include the tightening of existing wires and closing pens for grazing purposes. Irrigation preparation and set-up prior to grazing season, reviewing irrigation equipment to make sure there is sufficient irrigation and water accessible to the land and animals. Report any issues to supervisor or maintenance crew for repairs. Irrigate pastures as necessary for maximum crop growth. Maintain all fences, corrals, cabins, and buildings. Range inmprovements, and livestock equipment for proper cattle management. Clean all livestock stalls and sheds using disinfectant solutions, brushes, and shovels. Maintain shop, milking facility, animal housing facilities, restrooms and break rooms as clean and functional. Monitor water sources such as ditch, wells, city holding ponds, etc. Monitor herd for health changes and report any changes in health to supervisor. Operate front end loaders and tractors to maintain irrigation pivot tracks, pasture planting, pasture maintencance and manure spreading. Assist in taking cows safely to and from pastures during the grazing season. Assist in taking cows to and from parlor for milking. Mowing of pastures and around facilities. Communicate with the farm manager regarding the condition of the pasture and the rotation schedule during grazing season. Treat individual animals and provide for down animals as required by protocol. Wean calves, vaccinations, mastitis, and pregnancy cow checks. Workers must be willing and able to perform all duties according to the employer's requirements during the contract period. Must have knowledge of building and repair of fence and flood and sprinkler irriagtion knowledge and management. Workers will be expected to work in conditions normally associate with Texas climatic conditions, which may include, at times, dusty conditions, wind, extreme heat, etc.

Employer requires all newly-hired employees to take and pass an employer-paid drug test before starting work. Drug test not required for prospective applicants prior to hiring decision. All testing is conducted uniformly after an initial job offer has been extended and accepted by the new hire. Workers testing positive will be immediately terminated and paid for all hours worked between the first date of employment and the date of termination, if any. In the case of a non-local or foreign worker who is terminated for failure to pass a drug test, the employer will arrange least-cost transportation to the worker's place of recruitment, at the worker's expense.
Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision.

Deductions may include: FICA (if applicable); loans to both U.S. and advances (if any); long-distance telephone charges (if any); the reasonable repair or replacement cost of willful negligent damage to housing, tools and equipment caused by the worker (other than normal wear and tear), and unreturned uniforms. No deductions except those required by law will be made which bring the worker's earnings below the federal minimum wage. No federal income tax can be deducted from an H-2A worker's wages unless the worker and the employer agree to the withholding.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of verifiable agricultural experience working as a general ranch worker is required. Prospective workers must provide an employer reference who can verify the worker's experience and satisfactory work performance. If related experience is older than two years, a second reference with contact information is required. Applicants must provide the name, address, and telephone number of their references. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 75 lbs., or the equivilent of a bale of hay. Tasks involve repetitive standing, walking, bending, stooping, and kneeling. Work in unfavorable conditions such as high temperatures, wet or dry/dusty conditions and general summertime adversity. Drug screening will occur post-hire and at the employer's expense.