General Ranch Worker & Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Workers will be required to perform a variety of duties related to cattle, irrigation, and crop production. The main focus is irrigation work such as repairing and cleaning ditches, irrigating fields, and providing water to cattle in certain pastures. Infrastructure work such as repairing fences and gates that includes barbed wire, high tensile, and electric as well as repairing pens for cattle when needed. Basic equipment maintenance such as fueling up, greasing, and cleaning. During hay season they will be responsible for moving water to appropriate pastures as well as drying up fields for harvesting then turning water back on after harvesting for next season. When needed they will be asked to help move cattle and or assist in any kind of livestock care as asked. Workers must be able to use ATV to move livestock safely. Workers must be able to lift 100 pounds on a frequent basis. Attend to livestock feeds and waters livestock by tractor and/or team on range or at ranch headquarters calving, maintaining cattle herd health. Workers will shovel and pack dirt in low spots of embankment or cut trenches in high areas to direct water flow; siphon water from ditch to channel water into designated areas; shovel or hoe soil to clear ditches/furrows and build embankments to appropriately channel water. Builds & cleans corrals. Wean calves, vaccinations, and pregnancy check cows. Workers must Perform any combination of the following tasks to attend to livestock at the ranch: administer emergency minor medical care to sick/injured pregnant cows without causing undue stress; apply medications to cuts and bruises; Moves livestock to pasture for grazing. Assist with Breeding, and identification markings of livestock. Maintain all fences, corrals, cabins, buildings, range improvements, and livestock equipment used for proper cattle management. Cleans livestock stalls and sheds, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, and shovels. Must have knowledge of repair of fence, planting, cultivating, and harvesting hay for livestock. Maintain ranch buildings. Maintain equipment in a working condition and observe safe practices. Assist with the shipping of cows and calves. Longer hours (night shifts during calving) and more days (up to 7 days per week) may be required when feeding cows supplemental rations, calving season, irrigation and mowing and baling hay fields. Workers must report to employer dehydration & other indicators of deterioration in animal body condition/behavioral changes indicating malnutrition or disease; use proper animal husbandry skill to prevent hypothermia/abortion/death and must be willing and able to perform all duties according to the employer’s requirements during the contract period. Workers will be expected to work in conditions normally associated with Colorado climatic conditions which may include extreme heat, and snow. Workers may be required to do snow removal duties like shoveling walkways, plowing paths and private roads using various types of equipment, ATV with a blade, or loader. Workers will operate trucks or other multi-purpose vehicles to transport workers from housing (whether on or off farm) to the farm properties; haul tools, supplies, or crops; transport workers from place to place around the farm properties during the workday (including on public roads to reach farmer's fields); and/or transport workers to the grocery store, bank, western union on an as-needed basis. Those that are requested to drive will be required to possess a valid driver license, no worker will be rejected for not having a driver's license. Workers must be available to work on Saturdays. Workers maybe require to work 8 hours shift between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm from Monday through Friday. Workers will be given a 30-minute lunch break and a 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon. All materials and tools will be provided by the employer at no cost to the worker.