Pen Rider / Vaquero

About the role

The J.R. 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor cattle health by safely riding feedlot pens on horseback to identify sick, injured, or stressed animals, and safely remove them for medical treatment.
• Support cattle operations by assisting with receiving, unloading, sorting, and processing livestock as directed by the Feedlot and/or Cattle Manager/Supervisor.
• Administer medical care to sick or injured cattle in accordance with treatment plans established by the Staff Veterinarian.
• Move and rotate cattle between pens as instructed by the Cattle Manager/Supervisor and/or Lead Cowboy to align with production schedules.
• Care for horses by training, shoeing, feeding, and providing medical treatment to maintain healthy, productive animals.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned to support overall feedlot operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent (preferred but not required).
• Previous experience working with cattle in one or more of the cattle production segments, such as cow-calf, stocker, or cattle feeding.
• Solid knowledge of animal health and cattle conditions, typically gained through a minimum of two years in a feedlot or ranch setting.
• Adequate horsemanship skills – in a feedlot setting.
• Must provide own tack.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to mount and unmount horse multiple times a day and sit in a saddle for long periods of time.
• When freezing conditions occur, must be able to safely mount and dismount a horse to break ice as needed.
• Must be able to frequently push, pull, and twist while working on horseback.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, and use hands/fingers to handle, manipulate, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.
• Work is performed primarily outdoors in feedlot pens with cattle present. Employees are regularly exposed to varying weather conditions, including rain, snow, wind, heat, and cold.
• The role involves regular exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and occasional work near moving mechanical parts or in wet and/or humid conditions.
• Noisy environment with noise levels ranging from moderate to loud.
• Employees may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be able to work extended shifts of 10–11 hours per day.

Work Environment

• Success in this role requires the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment to achieve organizational goals.

Compensation and Benefits

• Rate of pay: $21.52/HR
• Attractive total rewards package that includes:
• Medical, dental, vision coverage
• 401(k) savings plan
• 10 Paid Holidays

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The J.R. 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. If the Simplot Company decides to offer you this position, such offer will be conditioned on your satisfactory completion of a post-offer criminal background check. For Washington Job Applicants, see the Washington State Attorney General’s Washington Fair Chance Act Guide and RCW 49.94.010 for more information.