Ranch Hand in Lamy, NM
Full TimeJob Description
SUMMARY:
Modern Elder Academy is a midlife wisdom school dedicated to transforming aging. We are growing the first MEA Regenerative Community on Rising Circle Ranch (formerly Saddleback Ranch), grounded in our 4 Pillars of Regeneration: Soil, Soul, Community, Locale. Saddleback Ranch consists of 2,566 acres of Pinyon Pine and Juniper Savannah located 30 minutes south of Santa Fe, NM.
To fulfill our mission to regenerate the land, soil, water cycle, and biodiversity, we are creating a regenerative grazing program centered around a herd of horses, and perhaps eventually other types of livestock. We are looking to initially compile a herd by offering pasture boarding for retired horses and are also exploring a non-profit model for horse and livestock rescue. The revenue from these services will fund the grazing management while the herd is used to regenerate the land and complement the culture and educational offerings of MEA. All ranch management and grazing planning will be done via a Holistic Management decision making process in order to balance and achieve the three priority outcomes: ecological, economic, and social.
The Ranch Hand (RH) is responsible for assisting the Ranch Manager in coordinating and executing all aspects of grazing operations. The RH will support in the care and health of all livestock, livestock grazing and feeding, pasture quality and rotation, fencing maintenance, road maintenance, water resources, livestock traceability, water pipeline infrastructure and facility maintenance, and client relationships. Landscaping needs and other physical facility needs for maintenance and repairs are a part of this position. The RH will work closely with and report to the Ranch Manager, while collaborating with other staff on desired outcomes.
DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Checking horses, donkeys and barn cats
- Feeding/watering horses, donkeys and barn cats
- Moving horses to new pastures, including building polywire fences
- Mucking donkey pasture
- Tracking new pastures with GPS
- Irrigation
- Light vehicle and building maintenance.
- Keeping workspaces clean and organized.
- Work hours may vary with the possible evening, weekend, or holiday work required depending on the season and associated work duties.
WEEKLY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Watering remote seedlings
- Logging vehicle and tractor miles
- Road maintenance
- Cholla removal with tractor
- Grooming horses
- Cleaning stock tanks and drinkers
- Cleaning the ranch truck
- Maintaining the grooming tools, equipment and spaces
RANCH MANAGER’S EVOLVING MAINTENANCE LIST AS NEEDED COULD INCLUDE:
- Irrigation projects
- Gate fixing
- Fence building and repair
- Oil changes on trucks and tractors
- Building roof checks and maintenance
- Road maintenance with tractor/brush hog, blade and box blade.
- Wildlife stock tank maintenance
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of five years’ experience in livestock management.
- Knowledge of practices in Holistic Management including planned grazing, soil health, drought mitigation, noxious weed management.
- Practical experience in low-stress livestock practices.
- Experience with electric fencing/ intensive grazing desired.
- Ability to manage and complete diverse tasks independently with respect to timelines and budgets.
- Experience with overseeing the health of livestock including all aspects of animal husbandry.
- Strong desire to be part of a dynamic, entrepreneurial work environment.
- Strong organizational abilities, time management skills, people skills, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
- Ability to work well independently and under pressure
- Able to work a variable work schedule, including weekends and holidays as needed.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and experience operating various types of farm equipment and machinery including tractors, ATVs, etc.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The ability to lift and move a hundred pounds safely is a requirement of this position. Working with hay and livestock is an essential part of this job – so allergies or health concerns related to any allergens that might be problematic on the ranch could be a disqualifying factor for this position.
The position is onsite.
The team member is expected to work 40 hours a week, primarily Wednesday through Sunday but include other days as needed. Hours of expected availability are 10am to 6pm MT. The team member may expect calls or emails outside the regular working hours. Occasional travel may be required for learning opportunities, team meetings, or other events.
CONTACT LEVELS:
- Face-to-face/in person: Moderate level of interaction with team, vendors, and customers.
- Telephone interaction: Low level of interaction with team, customers, minimal level with vendors.
- Computer interactions: Low level of interactions with customers, medium with team, moderate with vendors.