Farm Hand – Heifer U.S.A

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. 
  
About Heifer International   
  
In 1944, Heifer International’s founder, Dan West, began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War.

He had seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family. His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges.      
  
Today, Heifer International has operations in 19 countries around the world, working alongside local farmers, business owners and their communities, as they mobilize and envision their futures. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.      
  
To date, we have supported more than 42 million farming families across Africa, Asia and the Americas and in the past five years alone, we have worked alongside 2.7 million families to close the living income gap or set them on a path to doing so. Between now and 2030, we will support an additional 10 million people to reach a living income by scaling up our signature programs. To achieve this, Heifer International relies on its passionate, committed and highly skilled staff.   
  
ROLE FUNCTION 
  
The Farm Hand will complete tasks supporting the livestock enterprises at Heifer Ranch to support farm operations. This position will perform farm tasks such as daily livestock chores, catching chickens for processing, regenerative grazing techniques with ruminants, clearing fence lines, hanging gates, fixing fences, and inclement weather preparation for poultry, etc.  
Regular working hours will be 8-5 five days a week including Saturday and Sundays, once a month. In addition, the Farm Hand will support with special events that may require early morning start times (6am). When new poults or chicks arrive at the ranch, they will require a few checks during the night (8pm, 12am, 4am). Severe weather may require middle of night checks on pastured poultry.  
  
RESPONSIBILITIES: 
  
Poultry Chores (50%)

• Moving schooners
• Feeding animals/watering livestock
• Setting up paddock fencing
• Preparing brooders for new chicks and poults
• Moving poultry out to pasture
• Preparing for chicken and turkey load out
• Load out labor for chickens and turkeys
• Schooner maintenance.
• Must show up on time and complete task with minimal supervision
• Be available to work weekends, nights and overtime as needed
• Must be physically able to lift 50 lbs. for extended periods of time
• Adhere to animal welfare standards
• Safely operate tools and equipment

Livestock Chores (45%)

• Setting up fencing for livestock grazing
• Moving livestock
• Feeding/watering
• Health checks and corral work
• Assist during birthing seasons

May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

• Must be willing and able to step in and assist in any Ranch enterprise as directed
• Supporting the Heifer U.S.A team with ranch events

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Able to lift ~50 lbs. Repeatedly
• Must be in commutable distance to Heifer Ranch
• Able to work in the evening and into the night
• Able to work holidays
• Experience working with livestock
• Willing to work in varying weather conditions (heat, rain, cold)
• Able to provide own transportation to and from work
• Must have a tetanus shot upon hire
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Preferred Requirements:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science, Agri-business, Agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, or related field.
• General knowledge of rotational grazing, animal behavior, pasture raised poultry, sustainable agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and livestock welfare.
• Experience operating tractors, weed eaters and other heavy farm equipment.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Reliable. Excellent work ethic. Passion for livestock and Regenerative Agriculture.
• Ability to collaborate with other ranch staff & Heifer teams.
• Commitment to learning and performance.
• Self-starter, Proactive, “Whatever it takes” mentality.
• Attention to detail, Punctual, Passion for farming and food justice issues, Organized, Flexible, and Thrives in a culturally diverse environment.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Must be physically able to complete a wide variety of manual labor ranch tasks such as carrying 5-gallon feed buckets repetitively, machinery operation, truck and trailer operation, electric fence troubleshooting and repair, and hose repair.
• Able to lift 50 lbs. or more.
• Willing to work in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Able to work after hours, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Live on Ranch (if housing is available) or within 20 miles.
• Ability to take direction and execute tasks as directed.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Salary Information:

• The salary range for this position is $33,000 to $40,000 annually. Placement within the range will be based on the experience and competency level of the candidate.

What We Offer:

• Heifer International offers a variety of benefits for U.S. based employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• Health and wellness benefits including Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Saving Account
• Employee assistance program
• 403(b) retirement plan (match 1% employee to 2% employer up to a maximum of 4% match +3% employer discretionary contribution regardless of employee contribution)
• 22 vacation days in addition to 12 statutory and discretionary holidays, and 10 sick days per year
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• Professional development and annual merit increase opportunities
• Optional critical illness insurance, legal assistance plan and pet protection
• And more!

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.

Keywords

Farm HandHeifer U.S.Alivestockpoultryregenerative grazinganimal welfaresustainable agriculturelivestock welfarerotational grazingagricultureenvironmental sustainabilityregenerative agriculture