The Feedyard Trainee supports daily operations of all feedyard functions. They work in conjunction with the Feedyard Manager to meet and exceed the operational standards set by the company leadership. Your on-the-job training will focus on enhancing your management and technical skills.

This role will work closely with all feedyard departments both as an individual and as a member of a team to create the highest quality care and maintenance to ensure the welfare and functionality of the feedyard.

 

Duties/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.
 

• May supervise employees on a limited basis. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Assigned duties as they pertain to specific departmental roles and responsibilities. May include job assignments around experience and education for management preparation.
• Complies with applicable OSHA, and BQA regulations; maintains appropriate compliance records.
• 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.
• Manages department supplies inventory by researching costs, designing inventory systems, determining inventory levels, anticipating needed supplies, and approving orders.
   

Cattle

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 

• Inspects incoming loads of cattle for miscounts, sick animals, or other inconsistencies between received load; checks in cattle; records load information.
• Utilizes a horse to ride through assigned pens 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.
• Moves/drives cattle in a low-stress manner.
• Assists in the shipment of fat cattle by opening gates, driving cattle to shipping areas for weighing; counting cattle and separating strays; checking withdrawals.
• Medically treats livestock according to protocols established by management and consulting veterinarian; administers treatment in a humane manner.
• Internally examines dead animals to determine the cause of death. Processes cattle by ear tagging, administering vaccines, implants, parasitics, and other preventive measures; sorts, re-implants, mass treats, and re-vaccinates cattle according to established protocol; administers vaccines and treatment according to label specifications.
• Ensures that no animal leaves the facility without meeting applicable withdrawals by maintaining thorough and accurate records.
   

Feed
 

• Monitors cattle intake and assigns subsequent distribution of feed by familiarizing self with cattle eating patterns according to gender, days on feed, weather, and breed; maximizes feed intake of cattle by following guidelines issued by consulting nutritionist.
• Ensures accurate feed delivery by monitoring feed bunks and assessing feed distribution, quantity, type, and timeliness of delivery.
• Ensures that newly received cattle are fed in a timely manner by coordinating feeding with the cattle department.
• Minimizes feed truck and equipment downtime by scheduling maintenance/repair; develops and implements feed truck preventative maintenance program.
• Maintains cattle feeding records by compiling, entering, and analyzing information.
• Fills in when a driver is absent or as necessary by operating a feed truck, hay machine or tractor.
   

Mill
 

• Minimizes mill downtime by completing maintenance requirements and scheduling maintenance/repair; develops and implements mill preventative maintenance program.
• Monitors quality control of commodities received through regular inspection.
• Maintains quality of finished feed rations by using quality ingredients and following recommendations from consulting Nutritionists.
   

Yard
 

• Identifies current and future maintenance requirements through communication with management and yard personnel.
• Ensures operation of machinery and mechanical equipment by completing maintenance requirements for rolling stock including feed trucks, tractors, and other heavy equipment, and scheduling maintenance and repair.
• Coordinates utility repairs with appropriate service providers. Directs maintenance activities on water systems and tanks to provide a continuous supply of drinking water to livestock.
• Plans by collecting appropriate work permits are in place may supervises yard construction, renovation, and replacement projects.
• Maintains roads, pens, and alleys by filling in holes, controlling dust, and removing accumulated manure.
• Maintains environmental compliance and corresponding records according to specified EPA guidelines; collects soil and water samples for testing.
• Utilizes best methods of planting, cultivation, harvesting, and knowledge of various climatic conditions on crops to ensure high yields; develops methods for control of noxious weeds, crop diseases, and insect pests.
• Undergraduate degree and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of Word Processing software; Spreadsheet software and Database software.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
   

Physical Requirements

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.

Mill employees are required to wear hard hat; eyes, ears, and respiratory protection daily. PPE assigned per department requirements. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, kneel, stand, sit, walk, run, bend stoop, twist, reach above and below, climb, and grasp. In some cases when working around livestock the ability to move quickly, jump and climb are imperative.

Harris Ranch Feeding Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates are evaluated and selected based on their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decisions on employee's or applicant's citizenship, race, age, color, sex, religion, natural origin, sexual orientation, handicap, or disability, marital status, veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.