Spikebox Ranch (part of Turner Ranches)
Employer: Turner Enterprises Management, LLC
Job Title: Ranch Technician
Location: Spikebox Ranch – Mullen, NE
Home Department: 000600 – Bison
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Type: Full Time / Benefits-Eligible
Housing Provided: Yes
Projected Start Date: September 4, 2023
Turner Ranches Summary
Turner Ranches are collectively known as the largest and most progressive bison operation in the world. We stand at the forefront of research, innovation, conservation, and production in the bison industry.
The mission statement, “to manage Turner Lands in an economically sustainable and environmentally sensitive manner while promoting the conservation of native species and habitats,” directs our balanced stewardship of the land while integrating conservation and commerce. We are passionate about improving land health and diversity through innovative grazing practices and conservation management. Our ranches are a model of sustainable ranching practices throughout the western United States. Low-stress livestock handling is an important component of how we promote the ethical and moral treatment of our animals. Our diverse team consists of veterinary, wildlife biology, ecology, range management, ranch management and hospitality professionals who provide a unique balance of knowledge and insight into the stewardship of our properties. We provide an atmosphere where employees can grow and progress through work experience, training, and community involvement.
If you are passionate about sustainable ranching and conservation, come help us make a difference and be part of something great!
Location Summary
Spikebox encompasses roughly 140,000 deeded acres in Cherry County, NE. The ranch ecosystem is Sandhills Mixed-Grass Prairie, characterized by grass-covered sandhills interspersed with large wet meadow complexes. The primary ranch operation is bison production (cow/calf and yearling) and grazing management of approximately 4,000 animal units as well as very limited commercial hunting (deer). The ranch participates in many research and conservation projects, including Blowout Penstemon establishment and wetland/wet meadow restoration.
The ranch has two headquarters, with the McMurtrey HQ located 40 miles south of Nenzel, NE or 70 miles southwest of Valentine, NE with 20 of those miles being single lane oil strip and gravel roads. The Spikebox HQ is located 35 miles northwest of Mullen, NE or 75 miles southwest of Valentine, NE with 20 of those miles being single lane oil strip and gravel roads. Mullen offers K-12 schools with a school bus to the door of the Spikebox HQ.
Valentine, NE is a major regional service center with most amenities (Hospital, K-12 school, Grocery and hardware stores, movie theater, implement and auto dealers, etc.).
The mission of Spikebox Ranch is to produce healthy, productive bison; conserve native biodiversity and promote long-term range health; provide an environment where people enjoy living and working; and grow profitability of the business.
Employees of the ranch work as a collaborative team with ownership of their roles and responsibilities. The ranch values teamwork and innovation, sharing new ideas amongst our team as well as through collaborative work with other Turner Ranches and outside partners.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The primary duties of the Ranch Technician relate to grazing and rangeland management, bison movement and processing, and infrastructure development and maintenance. The Ranch Technician will assist in managing bison herds using adaptive grazing practices within a wet meadow complex and upland pastures. These grazing practices will be affected using temporary electric fencing as well as building and maintaining permanent high tensile electric fence. The ability and skills to use ATV’s to perform ranch work including moving bison is required.
The Ranch Technician will perform maintenance on wind, solar, and electric livestock water sources. The employee will operate and maintain the ranch, farm, and construction equipment.
Ranch Technician job responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Work with the Manager to implement a comprehensive grazing plan within Company guidelines.
- Work with the Manager to oversee bison herds including handling and moving of the bison and preparation of pastures (fences, water systems, forage inventory) ahead of the grazing rotation and ranch-wide as needed.
- Utilize technology including temporary fencing in a range environment.
- Work with the Manager to develop and improve Low-stress Livestock Handling methods and facilities on the ranch.
- Assist others in the preparation of pastures (fences, water systems, forage inventory) ahead of the grazing rotation and ranch-wide as needed.
- Move/Handle bison in the pasture and corrals using low stress techniques on foot, ATV or UTV.
- Develop and maintain fences, water sources, corrals, ranch buildings, and other ranch infrastructure.
- Report monthly, the assigned grazing activity and range health to the Manager or Manager’s designee.
- Perform range monitoring and grazing planning as necessary.
- Maintain, repair, and install windmills, solar units, and stock tanks.
- Install and maintain permanent and temporary fencing.
- Use welder, plasma cutter, cutting torch, and other shop equipment safely.
- Use herbicides as appropriate and assigned for weed management.
- Watch for fires during storms. Suppress wildfires or assist with prescribed fires as necessary.
- Vaccinate livestock using syringes and hypodermic needles or other means.
- Safely operate and maintain vehicles, tractors, and heavy equipment with various attachments.
- Safely operate ATV and UTV.
- Participate in Ranch Safety Program.
- Perform a variety of general ranch work duties.
- Cooperate on other Turner Ranches as needed to accomplish Company goals.
- Other duties as assigned by the Ranch Manager.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This job does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Competencies and characteristics
Core Competencies:
- Extreme Ownership
- Commitment to Mission and Team
- Range management / Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) management
- Stockmanship
- Office and computer skills sufficient to interpret and complete reports and spreadsheets
- Initiative and Adaptability (able to develop and change work plans as needed)
- Humility and Ability to learn from others
- Able to safely operate machinery of all types
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; works well alone.
- Project Management – Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time.
- Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests.
- Judgment – Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
- Motivation – Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
- Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently.
- Professionalism – Reacts well under pressure; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
- Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
- Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
- Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
- Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Confidentiality – Occasional contact with owner and guests.
Accommodations
On Ranch housing will be provided. Basic utilities will also be provided by the Company including water, power, propane and local landline telephone.
Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Livestock care and familiarity with low-stress handling experience preferred. Heavy equipment operation experience may include but not limited to tractor, backhoe, dump truck, and dozer. ATV/UTV/Snowmobile experience preferred.
Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
If position requires operation of a vehicle, must possess a valid Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment. Driving record must meet the standards and requirements of the Company and the Company’s insurance carrier.
Other Qualifications
- Must adhere to Company and Ranch policies and procedures which are included in the Company’s Employee Handbook.
- Must present documentation establishing both identity and employment authorization within three days of hire, pursuant to federal law.
- May be subject to undergo pre-employment drug test, (after offer is given but before applicant has commenced work). Random drug test are given throughout the year.
- Must have own means of transportation to travel from ranch location to local town for personal needs.
- The Company operates as a drug free/smoke free workplace. Smoking is not allowed in ranch housing, ranch vehicles, ranch buildings or on ranch machinery.
Physical Demands
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, dig with various tools, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must be able to ride ATV for extended periods of time on uneven rough terrain, and occasionally on roads and flat terrain while performing ranch duties. The employee is frequently required to climb ladders and pipe corrals, drag and place flood irrigation dams, climb in and out of irrigation ditches, and wade in thigh deep flowing water. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 75 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to perform physical labor for extended periods of time.
Moving and handling bison in a corral setting requires walking, running, and climbing pipe corrals for extended periods of time on uneven terrain. Opening and closing of heavy pipe gates in a time sensitive manner while in the presence of bison and performing these duties alone is required.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This position is located in a remote location. A ranch radio will be provided for communication and is required every day for work.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be alert and aware of dangers that are present while working on a ranch and its surroundings.
*In accordance with applicable law, the Company will reasonably accommodate any disabled individual who requests an accommodation that will allow him/her to perform the essential job duties or functions of his/her position. Accommodation inquires must be made to the Company’s Human Resources Department for consideration.”
Turner Enterprises Management, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Smoke Free/Drug-Free Workplace.
TO APPLY:
For more information, and to apply online, visit https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=fef73240-d834-42e7-9814-43ab0ff0c077&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=475222&source=CC2&lang=en_US .
Or visit our website for more info: www.tedturner.com
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