Ranch Internship

Summary:

The Ranch Internship provides hands-on experience in livestock care, seasonal cattle operations, and ranch maintenance. Interns will work alongside experienced crew members to support daily operations, gain exposure to cross-functional departments, and develop foundational skills in production agriculture. This opportunity is ideal for individuals pursuing a career in an agriculture field (i.e. production agriculture/animal science) and looking to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world ranch setting.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in seasonal cattle operations, including calving, branding, breeding, weaning, and shipping.
• Assist with livestock care such as doctoring, feeding, and monitoring cattle health.
• Support herd rotation, fencing setup, and water system maintenance.
• Perform general ranch maintenance including fence repair, equipment checks, and facility upkeep.
• Attend planning meetings and contribute to daily crew operations.
• Engage actively in learning opportunities by asking questions and taking initiative.
• Gain exposure to finance, wildlife, and other departments that contribute to ranch success.
• Learn and follow ranch values, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and safety protocols.
• Uphold a best-in-class safety culture in all tasks and interactions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Available to work 3-to-4-month internship beginning in January, May, or August of each year.
• Prior cattle and horseback experience preferred; strong interest production agriculture required.
• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree or coursework in Animal Science, Agricultural Business, Range Management, Equine Studies, or a related field.
• Experience through FFA, 4-H, or family farm/ranch work is beneficial.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative mindset.
• Able to meet the physical requirements of outdoor, hands-on ranch work.
• Reliable transportation to and from the internship site; relocation stipend provided, daily transport is intern's responsibility.
• Eligibility for a completion bonus based on fulfilling internship requirements and maintaining clean living quarters.

Working conditions:

• Regularly lift, carry, push, pull, and/or move materials, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Push, pull, and drag up to 200 pounds.
• Perform work that involves standing, squatting, sitting, walking, leaning, bending, and riding for 8-12 hours per day, including time in both field and office environments.
• Frequently engage in physical activities such as reaching, climbing, balancing, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, pushing, and pulling, particularly during animal handling and equipment operation or maintenance.
• Demonstrate manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required to safely handle livestock, tools, ropes, restraints, and equipment.
• Frequently grasp, hold, and manipulate tools and animal handling equipment.
• Effectively communicate in a variety of environments, including outdoor settings, in person, by phone, and using electronic devices as required.
• Be able to see and hear well enough to monitor livestock condition, identify signs of illness or distress, and respond to safety warnings and environmental hazards.
• Assist with and/or perform routine animal husbandry procedures, following established protocols and training, which may include vaccinations, ear tagging, branding, dehorning, castration, blood sampling, and euthanasia.

• Work is performed in outdoor environments with regular exposure to varying weather conditions, seasonal changes, and fluctuating temperatures, as well as work during different times of day and night.
• Routine use of standard office equipment and electronic systems, including computers, phones, and other devices for communication, planning, recordkeeping, and reporting.
• Regular exposure to dust, animal dander, manure, and other agricultural environmental elements.
• Noise levels may range from moderate to loud, depending on livestock activity, equipment operation, and job tasks being performed.
• Frequent interaction with large animals and potentially hazardous machinery and equipment, requiring constant attention to safety practices and procedures.
• Work schedules may vary based on operational needs and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.