Winter Livestock and Ranch Worker

H2ajobs; Montana; On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Visa/transportation support for non-l/

Weekly transportation to town

Job summary

H2ajobs is seeking workers to support a ranch/feedlot's livestock operations during the winter season in Montana. Duties include maintaining unfrozen water sources, delivering feed, operating tractors and trucks, and keeping yards clear of snow and ice to ensure daily access for cattle.

Workers report to the rancher and monitor animal health, weather conditions, and perform manure handling, with safety as a priority. This role may involve horseback movement and outdoor work in harsh conditions.

Qualifications

• 6 months of verifiable agricultural experience on a livestock farm or ranch handling both manual and mechanized tasks.
• Ability to work outdoors in all kinds of weather, including extreme cold, rain, wind, and snow.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, push/pull, and lift up to 75 lbs.
• Compliance with safety and PPE requirements for working with livestock and machinery.

Responsibilities

• Attend to livestock on ranch/feedlot during winter: maintain unfrozen water sources and break ice as needed.
• Deliver feed and prepare rations for cows, calves, and bulls; operate tractors/vehicles to move feed.
• Keep feeding areas free of snow and ice; clear snowdrifts to allow livestock and workers access.
• Move cattle by horseback if vehicles are unable to access pasture; monitor water, forage, and weather conditions.
• Winterize, clean, and maintain livestock facilities and equipment; perform manure handling as required.

Skills

Livestock handling

Outdoor work

Horseback riding

Physical stamina

Tools

Tractors

UTVs

ATVs

Job description

Crops/Commodities: livestock

Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays)

All job duties are closely and directly related to the production of livestock.

Perform any combination of the following tasks to attend to livestock on a ranch/feedlot during the winter season: ensure all livestock water sources are free of ice and line breaks due to freezing conditions. This may include breaking ice in water tanks, reservoirs, and creeks with an ax daily to ensure livestock have constant access to water. Ensure livestock have adequate forage and feed in the heavy winter months, including pitching hay or increasing rations based on snowy/frozen weather conditions. Drive trucks, pickups or tractors to deliver feed to cattle and mix/prepare feed rations suitable for cows, calves and bulls depending on the animal’s winter body condition score. Keep livestock feeding areas free of snow and ice and ensure feed preparation sites are accessible in the winter months. This includes operating tractors and other equipment to remove snow from sheds, corrals, pens, pasture and drover alleys as needed, as well as keeping those areas open and clear of snowdrifts for movement of livestock, workers and equipment.

Report to the rancher on water/forage/weather conditions. Monitor and report to the rancher any dehydration, deterioration in body condition, or behavioral changes indicating malnutrition or illness. Ensure livestock have adequate cover and access to grass in pastureland in the event of excessive snow or drifts, and plow roads or paths to clear snow so cattle can be monitored on a daily basis. If snow is excessive and cattle inaccessible via vehicle, move cattle via horseback to pasture that offers more winter cover or protection from the elements. Remove manure buildup and runoff in the event of excessive snow or thaws, handle manure by scraping, piling, and loading. Winterize, clean, and maintain livestock facilities and equipment. Work with and around farm machinery such as tractors, UTVs, and ATVs for daily feeding, opening frozen water sources, and movement of livestock. Work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, including extreme temperatures such as sleet, snow and wind.

In connection with the employer’s livestock operation, cut, trim, and inspect meat to prepare for packing; tend assembly lines; weigh meat and wrap/tag containers for weight; sort materials or products for processing, storage, shipping, or grading; stun and slaughter animals; process animal carcasses and skin animals. Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable footwear suitable for severe weather conditions as forecasted. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work. Allergies to livestock, grasses, wheat dust or hay may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire duration of the contract.

Job opportunity is Skill Level II. Workers must be able to perform all primary duties independently and without close supervision.

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. 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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

TERMINATION

Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies.

Benefits

• Housing: Employer-provided (including mobile or range)
• Meals: Employer does not provide meals. Employer-provided housing includes free and convenient kitchen facilities with appropriate equipment, appliances, cooking accessories, and dishwashing facilities for meal preparation. For workers residing in employer-provided housing, employer also provides free transportation once per week to/from closest town or city for personal errands (e.g., groceries, banking services). Dining, kitchen/cooking facilities and other common areas are shared by all workers. In the event that kitchen facilities become unavailable during the contract period, employer will provide three daily meals in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(g). In such circumstances, employer will deduct the cost of such meals up to the maximum allowable amount published in the Federal Register, or as otherwise approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Transport: Employer pays/reimburses foreign workers for all visa-related costs (excluding passport fees) in the first workweek. For non-local workers, employer arranges/provides inbound transportation via common carrier mode of transportation (e.g., bus or plane) and reimburses workers for daily subsistence and reasonable lodging costs, if applicable.

Experience wanted: 6 months

This job requires a minimum of 6 months of verifiable agricultural experience working on a livestock farm or ranch handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Work will be performed in a rural environment. Outdoor work is required when working with livestock, during light rain, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures, including snow and heat. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of horseback riding, sitting, standing and/or walking, pushing/pulling, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects up to 75 lbs.