Pen Rider / Vaquero (Burbank, WA)

Simplot Company; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) savings plan

10 Paid Holidays

Benefits details available at simplotb

Job summary

Simplot Company is seeking a Pen Rider to help maintain cattle health and support daily feedlot operations. You will ride horseback in the pens, monitor health, and work closely with managers and veterinary staff to ensure proper care and treatment.

The role requires horsemanship, the ability to administer medications, and collaboration with a dedicated team focused on animal welfare, safety, and stockmanship. Outdoor, physically demanding work in a fast-paced environment is expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent (preferred but not required).
• Experience with cattle in beef industry segments: cow-calf, stocker, feedlot.
• Strong knowledge of cattle health and animal condition; ~2 years of feedlot or ranch experience.
• Adequate horsemanship skills in a feedlot environment.
• Ability to provide your own tack.

Responsibilities

• Ride horseback to observe cattle health and identify animals needing attention.
• Administer treatments and medications per established protocols.
• Ensure livestock are handled safely, professionally, and humanely.
• Assist with receiving, unloading, sorting, and processing cattle.
• Move and rotate cattle between pens according to schedules.
• Support daily needs with Feedlot Manager, Cattle Manager/Supervisor, and Lead Cowboy.
• Care for horses with feeding, training, shoeing, and basic care.

Skills

Horsemanship

Communication skills

Basic Math

Problem Solving

Tack knowledge

Education

High school diploma / GED

Tools

Horse tack

Job description

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The Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. We are a true farm-to-table company with an integrated portfolio including food processing and food brands, phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, and other enterprises related to agriculture.

Join Our Team

If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in caring for livestock, and have strong horsemanship skills, this could be the opportunity for you. As a Pen Rider,you'llplayan important roleinmaintainingthe health and well-being of our cattle while contributing to the success of daily feedlot operations.

In this hands-on position,you'llspend your days horseback in the pens, monitoringcattlehealth,identifyinganimals that need attention, and working closely with managers and veterinary staff to ensure proper care and treatment.You'llbe part of a dedicated team that values animal welfare, safety, and stockmanship.

What You'll Do

Care for and Monitor Cattle Health

• Ride horseback through feedlot pens toobservecattle andidentifyanimals that are sick, injured, or showing signs of stress.
• Safe ly remove cattle that require medical attention.
• Adm inister treatments and medications according to protocolsestablishedby the Staff Veterinarian.
• Help ensure all livestock are handled safely, professionally, and humanely.

Support Daily Feedlot Operations

• Assistwith receiving, unloading, sorting, and processing cattle.
• Move and rotate cattle between pens according to operational and production schedules.
• Partner with the Feedlot Manager, Cattle Manager/Supervisor, and Lead Cowboy to support the daily needs of the operation.
• Perf ormadditionalduties as needed to support overall feedlot success.

Care for Horses

• Maintain healthy and productive horses through feeding, training, shoeing, and basic medical care.
• Ensure horses are fit and ready to safely perform daily work activities.

What We're Looking For

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent (preferred but notrequired).
• Experience working with cattle in one or more segments of the beef industry, including:
  • Cow-calf operations
  • Stocker operations
  • Feedlot cattle feeding operations
• Strong understanding of cattle health and animal condition, typically gained through at least two years of feedlot or ranch experience.
• Adequate horsemanship skills in a feedlot environment.
• Ability to provide your own tack.

Communication Skills

• Ability to read and understand basic instructions, correspondence, and workplace communications.
• Ability to write simple, clear correspondence.
• Comfortable communicating with coworkers, supervisors, customers, and visitors in both one-on-one and small group settings.

Basic Math Skills

• Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to work with weights, measurements, distances, and U.S. currency.

Problem Solving

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to use sound judgment and common sense when addressing routine operational situations.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically demanding, active role that requires individuals to work safely in a livestock environment.

Employees in this position must be able to:

• Mount and dismount a horse multiple times throughout the day.
• Remain in the saddle for extended periods.
• Safely mount and dismount horses during winter conditions to break ice when necessary.
• Frequently push, pull, twist, and maneuver while riding horseback.
• Stand, walk, and regularly use hands and fingers to operate tools and equipment.
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.
• Maintain visual abilities necessary for the job, including distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This position is primarily performed outdoors in a working feedlot environment.

Employees can expect:

• Daily exposure to cattle and feedlot conditions.
• Work in all types of weather, including heat, cold, wind, rain, and snow.
• Exposure to dust, fumes, and airborne particles.
• Occasional work around moving mechanical equipment.
• Wet and humid working conditions at times.
• Moderate to loud noise levels.
• This role may require:
  • Nights, weekends, and holiday work.
  • Extended shifts
  • Working as part of a close-knit team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Why This Role Matters

Successful Pen Riders play a critical role in animal health, cattle welfare, and operational success. If you enjoy working with livestock, take pride in horsemanship, and want to be part of a team that values hard work and stockmanship, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

This position does not offer relocationassistance. Candidates must currentlyresidein the area or be willing torelocateindependently.

Job Requisition ID: 27240

Travel Required: None

Country: United States

Rate of pay: $21.52/HR The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

Attractive total rewards package that includes:

• 401(k) savings plan
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Benefits details available at simplotbenefits.com

The Simplot Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status.