Water Well / Bison Technician

Employer:         Turner Enterprises Management, LLC
Job Title:           Water Well / Bison Technician
Location:           Vermejo Park Ranch – Raton, NM
Type:                 Full Time / Salary / Exempt / Benefits-Eligible
Housing:            Yes

Do you enjoy wide open spaces, and do you have a passion for preserving them?  Have you dreamed of being a part of the largest and most progressive bison operation in the world?   At Turner Ranches, we’re dedicated to sustainable ranching and conservation, and we’re looking for talented, like-minded individuals to be a part of our growing team.   

Vermejo Park Ranch, a pristine, 560,000-acre bison ranch located in northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado, is seeking an energetic Water Well / Bison Technician who is passionate about water systems, low-stress livestock handling and innovative grazing practices.  Learn more about Vermejo Park Ranch.                                            

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Water Well / Bison Technician is a dual faceted position where time is split between working with the Bison Department and the Natural Resources Department on Vermejo Park Ranch. The position is vital to both the bison and the wildlife on the ranch. About half of your time will be spent checking, testing, repairing, and developing water systems such as windmills, solar wells, wildlife (rain catchment) guzzlers, storage systems, and tanks from pipelines. The other half of your time will be spent working with the Castle Rock bison herd as part of the ranch’s Bison Department. This will include open range and pasture moves, Bison Works (sorting, vaccinating, shipping, etc.), checking on bison, and feeding while bison are in the corrals. Turner Enterprises and Vermejo Park Ranch embrace low stress stockmanship when handling bison, and any applicant for the position must be well versed in modern low-stress livestock handling methods or be willing to attend courses (company provided) on the subject. You must be able to work alone for extended periods of time in remote areas.

You will also be responsible for: 

Water Resource Duties            

• Managing and responding to written and verbal work orders from management.
• Maintaining and monitoring inventory; ordering supplies and parts for water systems as needed.
• Scheduling routine service and repairing of wind and solar wells.
• Maintaining written and/or digital records of repairs performed and parts used.
• Assisting in the design, development and execution of water systems & distribution projects that support both wildlife and livestock, ensuring efficient and sustainable use of water resources.
• Troubleshooting and repairing pumps, pipelines, water troughs, and other irrigation infrastructure.
• Ensuring all equipment related to water systems and bison management is in good working order and complies with safety standards.
• Pump testing wells for water production prior to installing solar equipment.
• Handling fence construction and installation around water infrastructure.
• Safely operating, inspecting and maintaining a variety of ranch equipment, including ATVs, UTVs, vehicles, and heavy equipment.
• Maintaining a clean and safe working environment.

Bison Management Duties

• Developing and maintaining fences, water sources, corrals, ranch buildings, and other ranch infrastructure.
• Moving/Handling bison in the pasture and corrals using low stress techniques on foot, ATV or UTV.
• Feeding bison (hay, cake, salt, and mineral) in corrals.
• Maintaining record of grazing activity, range health, feeding and feed inventories.
• Performing general ranch work.
• Using herbicides as appropriate and assigned for weed management.
• Participating in bison handling, including herd movements, tagging, and vaccination.
• Using a welder, cutting torch, and other shop equipment safely.
• Performing range monitoring and handling grazing planning.
• All other duties and projects as assigned.

What this isn’t:

• Working on horseback.
• A management or supervisory position

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

• A high school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• At least three years of related experience and / or training
• Experience in livestock care and low-stress animal handling
• Experience operating heavy equipment and ATVs/UTVs
• Basic computer skills, including preparation of reports and spreadsheets
• This position requires operation of vehicles, and you’ll need to possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment.  Your driving record will need to meet the standards and requirements of the Company and the Company’s insurance provider
• You’ll need to present documentation establishing both identity and employment authorization within three days of hire pursuant to federal law

Preferred:

• Experience with wind/solar well repair, flood irrigation, and general maintenance of equipment
• Relevant bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources or a related field

YOUR QUALITIES

• Commitment to Mission and Team
• Range Management / Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) Management
• Stockmanship
• Initiative and adaptability
• Humility and ability to learn from others

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Company offers full time employees an elite benefits package, including medical dental and vision insurance, basic life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. 

ACCOMMODATIONS
On-ranch, single-family housing with basic utilities (power, water, propane) will be provided subject to a Company Housing Agreement and Company policies.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
On a regular basis, you can expect to:

• Stand; sit; walk; move hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
• Perform physical labor for extended periods of time.

On a frequent basis, you can expect to:

• Ride an ATV/UTV for extended periods of time on uneven, rough terrain and occasionally on roads and flat terrain while performing ranch duties.
• 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.
• Lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

On an occasional basis, you can expect to:

• 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. 

You will regularly be exposed to moving mechanical parts; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat. You will frequently be exposed to high, precarious places and fumes or airborne particles. You will occasionally be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and the work environment characteristics are representative of those you 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.  Accommodation inquiries 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.

For more information, visit www.tedturner.com.