Feedyard Operations Apprentice

Feedyard Operations Apprentice

Reports To: Department Manager (as assigned)

FLSA Status: Hourly (Temporary Employment 60-day apprenticeship), Ag exempt

Function: Learns and performs the daily operations of the cattle feedyard including the feed mill, feed delivery, cattle health, and yard departments.

Temporary Operations Apprentice: All Five Rivers feedyards offer opportunities to gain real-life experience in all aspects of the cattle feeding industry. The operations apprentice position is designed for a 60-day apprenticeship with consideration for full-time employment at completion. You will have the opportunity to rotate through at least two and up to all four departments.

• Feed Delivery Learn to recognize various feed rations and understand their impact on cattle performance. Operates a feed truck to distribute a pre-determined quantity of feed to cattle daily; follows yard-specific guidelines regarding accuracy, distribution, and timeliness.
• Feed Mill Learn feed manufacturing and production. Receive commodities, maintain feed quality, and manage production output.
• Animal Health Process cattle and learn best practices for healthy cattle management.
• Yard Maintenance and Environment Learn yard upkeep and environmental compliance.

Department Rotation Time Frame

Minimum Two (2) Department Rotation Minimum 4 Week Rotation per Department

Minimum Three (3) Department Rotation Minimum 2/2/4 Week Rotation per Department

Four (4) Department Rotation Minimum 2 Week Rotation per Department

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operations apprentice will rotate through at minimum two and up to all four of the following departments: Mill, Feeding, Cattle and Yard Operations. Duties will vary based on apprentice parameters, expectations, and fulfilling the needs of the feed yard.
• Complies with applicable OSHA, FDA, and EPA regulations; maintains appropriate compliance records.
• Sets a positive example by modeling safe work practices and following safety rules and policies.

Qualifications:

• Passion to learn about the cattle feeding industry and/or work-related experience in agriculture.
• Knowledge of Word Processing software; Spreadsheet software and Database software.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Competency:

Expected to conserve organizational resources, attend daily/weekly team meetings, be an effective team member, demonstrate knowledge of EEO policy, adapt to changes in the work environment, exhibit sound, and accurate judgment, observe safety and security procedures, and report potentially unsafe conditions.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to airborne particles. The employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and is exposed to work in high, precarious places.

Physical Demands:

An employee is required to adhere to the department demands as assigned, i.e. Mill: wear hardhat; eye, ear and respiratory protection daily. Frequently to Occasionally the employee is required to push/pull, reach, bend, run, sit, stand, jump, climb, squat, kneel, lift, carry, twist, grasp/squeeze. Working with or near cattle, horses, vehicles, and equipment in all weather conditions.