Head Pen Rider

5rcattle; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

5rcattle located in Yuma, Arizona is seeking a Head Pen Rider to supervise and coordinate the activities of workers engaged in the monitoring and movement of livestock in the feedlot. The position involves identifying sick animals, assisting with shipment processes, and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the work environment.

The ideal candidate will possess supervisory experience, the ability to safely ride horses, and knowledge of cattle breeds. This role requires flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience is essential for managing a team of pen riders.
• Ability to ride a horse in a safe manner is crucial.
• Knowledge of cattle breeds and their characteristics is required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate activities of pen riders in the feedlot.
• Identify sick animals and segregate them for treatment.
• Assist in the shipment of cattle by driving them to shipping areas.
• Ensure safe movement of cattle using low-stress techniques.
• Maintain cleanliness and report maintenance issues in the facility.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Ability to ride a horse safely

Knowledge of cattle breeds and characteristics

Ability to read and interpret documents

Job description

JOB TITLE:

Head Pen Rider

REPORTS TO:

Cattle Manager

FLSA STATUS:

AG Exempt, Salaried

FUNCTION:

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

• Supervises pen riders. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Utilizes a horse to ride through assigned pens daily and identify sick animals by observing outward signs of distress; segregates sick cattle for treatment by driving them to nearest hospital pen; calls deads in for removal.
• Assists in the shipment of fat cattle by opening gates, driving cattle to shipping areas for weighing; counting cattle and separating strays; checking withdrawals.
• Moves/drives cattle from one area of the yard to another humanely by utilizing low‑stress techniques including the slow movement of cattle.
• Returns treated cattle to home pens from hospitals daily.
• Returns stray animals to home pens.
• Rides horse safely by awareness of surroundings and exercise of caution in dangerous situations.
• Maintains appearance of break room by properly disposing of trash, wiping feet upon entering, and sweeping/mopping according to the posted schedule.
• Maintains cleanliness of horse facilities by sweeping floors, maintaining stalls, etc.
• Reports observed pen maintenance issues to appropriate yard employees for repair (broken water tanks, bunks, holes, etc.).
• Alerts supervisor to possible problem pens through awareness of unusual trends (including concerns about feed, conditions of cattle received, etc).
• Sets a positive example for employees by modeling safe work practices and following safety rules and policies. Communicates critical safety information to employees by conducting regular safety training; monitors workplace for unsafe/non‑compliant behavior.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Supervisory experience.
• Ability to ride a horse in a safe manner.
• Ability to furnish gentle horse and tack.
• Ability to add and subtract two‑digit numbers and to multiply and divide with ten’s and hundred’s. Ability to apply these functions using units and weights.
• Knowledge of cattle breeds and characteristics.
• Flexibility to work varied hours should shipping necessitate it.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

COMPETENCY:

Expected to adapt to changes in the work environment, have the ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events, exhibit sound and accurate judgment, prioritize and plan work activities, set goals and objectives, observe safety and security procedures, and report potentially unsafe conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to airborne particles and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is required to ride a horse daily and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Frequently to Occasionally the employee is required to push/pull, reach, bend, run, sit, stand, jump, climb, squat, kneel, lift, carry, twist, grasp/squeeze. Working with or near cattle, horses, vehicles and equipment in all weather conditions.