Ranch Hand Job Openings

Now hiring for 2023 land restoration projects

 

Application: Ranch Hand Position 2023

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Please title your resume with the same first and last name used on the application

 

About Us

The Provenance Company is committed to mitigating the effects of climate change by regenerating grasslands, increasing land resiliency, and educating the next generation of land managers. Our current project is located in Western Kansas, where we are transitioning 2,740 acres of cropland back to native grasslands. We are planning to add a new restoration site in 2023.

We use a land management paradigm we call “Regenerative Rewilding,” which reflects our long-term goal of returning the land to its original ecosystem and guides our path as we make that transition.

In tandem with Regenerative Rewilding, The Provenance Co. utilizes Holistic Management, which uses decision-making and planning procedures that take complexity into account, whether it relates to ecological, social, environmental, or financial systems.

 

About the Position

FTE: 1 (40 hour week full-time)

Salary: $35,000

Location: Western KS area

Reports to: Ranch Manager

On-site residence required: YES

Job Description Summary

Responsible for execution of ranch responsibilities as outlined in the business plan, directed by manager.  Responsibilities include the day to day cattle, land,  infrastructure and social work and decisions at the project sites with accountabilities to project partners, stakeholders and teammates of The Provenance Co.


Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Holistic Management implementation at ranch level

  • Time management and execution of scheduled activities at ranch level

  • Herd and forage management and outcomes for ranch

  • Execution of infrastructure and equipment management for ranch

  • Ranch quality of life conditions and outcomes 


Specific Tasks

Holistic Management

  • Engagement with Ranch holistic context

  • Execution of Ranch Grazing plans

  • Execution of Ranch priority projects

  • Ranch purchases and recording (receipts)

  • Contribute to plan creation, execution projects

  • Conduct monitoring + engage with analysis, professional reports

Ranch Time Management

  • Manage ranch time priorities

  • Execution of the vertical events on Ranch grazing plan

  • Seasonal ranch priority execution

Herd Management

  • Make decisions in the field

  • Learn cattle behavior in the field

  • Capture data in the field 

  • Working date execution

Infrastructure and Equipment Management

  • Execution of Ranch priority projects

  • Execute maintenance schedules

  • Participate in executing strategic design

  • Materials pickup and delivery

  • Equipment use and daily care

Quality of Life

  • Housing and living environment maintenance, day to day care

  • Intern training and coaching

  • Greet and host ranch visitors


Example activities for a typical day

  • Oversight and execution of regular daily ranch activities, as discussed with Ranch Manager

  • Contribute to to plan/project creation and execution of projects, such as working facilities and other infrastructure maintenance/upgrades

  • Collection and reporting of data according to protocols provided

  • General ranch purchasing (supplies, fuel, tools, etc)

  • Upkeep of regular office records and communication with the team (submitting receipts, ranch data, timesheets, etc.) 

  • Check cattle (assess herd health and overall nutritional needs)

  • Working cattle (sorting, shipping/receiving, shots, tagging, etc.)

  • Move cattle (based on grazing plan)

  • Assess forage quantity and quality, testing for toxins

  • Photo-documentation and reporting of plant species, growth rates, grazing patterns/effects, cattle behavior 

  • Check fence (repairing as needed)

  • Tend to polywire fence subdivisions

  • Perimeter/interior high tensile fence repair and upgrades

  • Check water (repairing as needed) 

  • General vehicle and equipment maintenance (cleaning, refueling, fixing tires, checking fluid levels)

  • Town-runs to refill gas, pick-up materials, deliveries, etc. 

  • Conduct regular maintenance and upkeep of housing and homesite as outlined in provided residential responsibilities. 

  • On-site point of  contact, when Ranch Manager is not present (must be available for emergencies)

  • Train and manage site interns

  • Greet and host ranch visitors and day workers. Communicate with residents' visitor schedules. 

  • Community networking/getting to know the neighbors, and local business’

  • Complete fire prevention/response training and/or join the local volunteer fire department. 

  • Participate and contribute in regular team meetings and planning calls. 

  • Contribute personal specialties, talents, gifts and passions to enhance the greater  whole of the ranch site and company mission

  • Understanding that prior experience and knowledge might not fit with context and adaptability is crucial.   Ability to be adaptable to the work environment and culture and learn a new context and skill set from scratch where necessary. 

  • Ongoing learning and application of Holistic Management. 

  • Contribute to the company culture through participation in Holistic Context and planning processes as requested, assigned, and identification of needs and  opportunities 

*Additional responsibilities as identified and assigned  


Evaluation Criteria 

  • 360 company evaluations

  • Metrics of the business plan, especially pertaining to timelines, energy conversion and special cases / quality of life measures by CEO, site foreman and site personnel

Key personal attributes, skills, training, experiences

  • Some level of experience, skills, or knowledge of ecological systems, outdoor work, and physical labor.

  • Able to exercise appropriate judgment under pressure, such as prioritizing personal safety and wellness as well as animal and operation function.

  • Leadership and time management skills for team-based operations; ability to train and mentor

  • Basic mechanics knowledge for vehicles, buildings and fencing infrastructure (what’s needed and where to get it, not necessarily how to do it)

  • Significant life experience and interests outside of agriculture and/or outside of western Kansas

  • Ability to lift at least 50 pounds

  • An openness to feedback and the ability to voice your needs and concerns

  • Non-violent, non-defensive communication skills / practices / awareness

 

About the Work Environment

The location is in Western Kansas, which is a dry, arid environment frequented by many types of wildlife such as rattlesnakes and porcupines, and is subject to harsh weather extremes, including but not limited to: Temperatures over 95 and below 0 degrees fahrenheit, wind exceeding 50mph (up to 90), dust storms, rain/snow/hail, tornadoes, and potential wildfires and associated smoke. Majority of work takes place outdoors, the varying conditions, and may involve frequent, varying levels of physical and mental exertion.

There will be times you will be living and working alone, sometimes without cellphone service, and limited nearby medical facilities. Safety and caution are very important. “No heroes” is a company motto.