Head Pen Rider

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding•Yuma, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in monitoring and movement of livestock in a Feedlot. This role involves riding a horse daily to monitor cattle, identify sick animals, assist with shipping, move cattle humanely, and maintain facilities. The Head Pen Rider is also responsible for setting a positive example, communicating safety information, and reporting maintenance issues.

Requirements

Supervisory experience.
Ability to ride a horse in a safe manner.
Ability to furnish a gentle horse and tack.
Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100'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.
Adapt to changes in the work environment.
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.
Report potentially unsafe conditions.

Responsibilities

Supervises pen riders, including interviewing, hiring, training, assigning work, appraising performance, and resolving problems.
Rides a horse daily through assigned pens to identify sick animals by observing outward signs of distress.
Segregates sick cattle for treatment by driving them to the nearest hospital pen.
Calls dead animals for removal.
Assists in the shipment of fat cattle by opening gates, driving cattle to shipping areas for weighing, counting cattle, and separating strays.
Moves/drives cattle from one area of the yard to another using low-stress techniques.
Returns treated cattle to home pens from hospitals daily.
Returns stray animals to home pens.
Rides horse safely by being aware of surroundings and exercising caution in dangerous situations.
Maintains the appearance of the break room by disposing of trash, wiping feet, and sweeping/mopping.
Maintains cleanliness of horse facilities by sweeping floors and maintaining stalls.
Reports observed pen maintenance issues to appropriate yard employees for repair (e.g., broken water tanks, bunks, holes).
Alerts supervisor to possible problem pens by being aware of unusual trends (e.g., concerns about feed, conditions of cattle received).
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 and monitoring for unsafe/non-compliant behavior.