Ranch Operator — Livestock Care & Irrigation Lead

Boone County; Nebraska; Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Boone County Development Agency seeks a hands-on livestock technician to support cow-calf operations, monitor herd health, and assist with calving. You will operate irrigation systems, perform preventive maintenance, and help with seasonal pasture management while complying with safety and animal welfare standards.

Candidate should have 2–3 years of livestock management experience, basic mechanical skills, and the ability to work in variable weather and early mornings or extended hours during

Qualifications

• 2–3 years hands-on cow-calf production or livestock management.
• Experience operating and maintaining irrigation systems (center pivots preferred).
• Basic mechanical aptitude with tractors, skid steers, and handling equipment.
• Strong observation skills for livestock illness or calving distress.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily cow-calf herd care and calving support according to protocols.
• Operate and maintain irrigation systems and related equipment.
• Adhere to safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards.
• Coordinate with herd managers and leadership on livestock and equipment status.

Skills

Livestock management

Irrigation systems

Equipment operation

Observation skills

Tools

Center pivots

Tractors

Skid steers

Livestock handling equipment

Job description

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.