Ranch Hand

Position Overview:

This position requires a motivated, honest, and punctual individual who works well independently and as part of a team. The role includes daily care of livestock and wildlife, land, equipment and property maintenance, guest services, and general ranch operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Daily Operations

• Complete assigned daily tasks (refer to Daily Task List).
• Carry out responsibilities outlined in the TCR Action Plan/Ranch List.
• Ensure timely feeding, watering, and health checks for all animals.
• Monitor and maintain clean water sources for all livestock.

Animal Care

• Feed, water, and monitor the health of domestic livestock and exotic animals.
• Maintain clean feeders, troughs and water tanks
• Handle square and round hay bales; distribute feed and supplements as needed.
• Assist with breeding, treatment, and care of whitetail deer and exotic species.
• Provide daily care for domestic animals, wildlife and pets (cats and dogs).
• Assist in rounding up, relocating animals, and transporting to veterinary appointments.
• Maintain interaction and handling routines to ensure animals remain tame and approachable.
• Monitor overall wellness and safety of herds.
• Be kind and gentle to the domestics and deer, stay calm while working with
• avoid being in deer pens unnecessarily and during heat of the day, move slowly and quietly
• work deer as assigned by ranch manager during weaning, breeding, testing days.

Facility and Equipment Management

• Maintain clean, organized, and well-stocked tack rooms, feed rooms, deer barn, equipment shed, coops, barns and shop.
• Clean and care for all animal equipment and horse tack, including saddles, bridles, halters, buckets and blankets.
• Ensure each horse has properly fitted, labeled equipment.
• Restock and fill feed containers
• Notify management of any structure or waterline leaks, missing inventory, low stock of supplies/feed
• Porches on structures clean and free of nests, cobwebs and debris
• Main house landscape maintenance and upkeep
• Clean and maintain stalls and enclosures daily.
• Side by sides, tractors, mowers, ranch trucks and 4 wheelers – kept clean, gased up, maintained, report any service needs, drive safely, appropriately and lawfully

Land Maintenance

• Perform routine fence checks and repairs as assigned.
• General labor: mowing, trimming, spraying, planting, and property beautification.
• Trash collection and disposal.  Including picking up any debris or litter.
• Keep fence lines mowed and clear of vegetation.
• Operate ranch equipment such as tractors, mowers, skid steers, and implements.
• Assist with equipment and vehicle maintenance (ATVs, tractors, trucks).
• Notify management of broken or missing equipment, leaks or areas in need of improvement and repair
• Manage Burn piles, tree clean up, under brushing land improvements
• Secure all gates
• Insure trail cameras are operational

Handyman Skills

• Conduct basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding tasks as needed.
• Assist with structural repairs and ranch infrastructure upkeep.

Guest & Event Support

• Assist with hosting guests: guiding, cooking, and hospitality.
• Help with trail rides, including tacking up horses and guest instruction.
• Support ranch events and special activities as required.

Environmental & Facility Cleanliness

• Ensure a clean, safe environment for animals and staff.
• Maintain fly control and odor management systems.
• Keep stalls, paddocks clean.
• Keep shop, feed room, equipment sheds clean organized and free of trash/debris

Requirements:

• Must be available to work 1–2 weekends per month for feeding and care.
• Ability to lift heavy items (feed bags, hay, equipment).
• Capable of working in extreme weather conditions.
• Must pass a background check and drug test.
• Experience operating farm equipment
• Basic mechanical and handyman skills are a strong plus.
• Positive helpful attitude