Feed Operations Technician

Job Identification:

Position Summary: 

This position assists with the daily operations of the Quapaw Cattle Company feeding facility. Responsibilities include daily cattle feeding, monitoring herd nutrition and health, and supporting efficient feedlot operations. This role directly impacts cattle performance and the overall success of the operation.

The Feed Operations Technician is responsible for mixing and delivering feed, observing cattle during feeding to identify potential health issues, maintaining feed equipment, and assisting with general feedlot or ranch duties. This position requires reliability, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Essential job functions:

• Assist with daily feeding facility operations, including cattle care, predator control, fence repair, land management, and pen construction/maintenance. 
• Examine animals during feeding to detect illness, injury, bloat, off-feed calves, lameness, or disease. 
• Monitor physical characteristics of cattle, such as rate of weight gain. 
• Report health concerns to the manager or pen riders immediately.
• Grooming, clipping, trimming, and/or castrating animals.
• Docking ears and tails.
• Shearing coats to collect hair.
• Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures. 
• Mix feed, additives, and medications in the prescribed portions. 
• Perform preventative maintenance on equipment, including greasing bearings, inspecting belts, checking tires, oil, chains, hydraulics, etc. 
• Monitor cattle to ensure normal eating behavior.
• Monitor feed bunks and adjust feed amounts as needed. 
• Clean and maintain feed bunks. 
• Assist with processing cattle (vaccinating, tagging, etc.) when requested. 
• Assist with receiving new cattle when requested. 
• Deliver feed to pens on a set schedule (typically 1–2 times daily). 
• Load and mix rations using a feed truck, mixer wagon, and/or tractor. 
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Job Functions: 

• May attend professional meetings, workshops, and organization wide committees as assigned.

*** SPECIAL PROVISON ***

Due to the nature of agriculture business operations, weekends, holidays, inclement weather days, and administrative days off are NOT guaranteed. All absences must be approved by the Director.

Job Specifications: 

      Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Basic knowledge of cattle behavior.
• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain heavy machinery.
• Ability to operate forklifts, tractors, and feed trucks. 
• Self starter highly motivated and able to complete tasks with limited supervision once trained.
• Attention to detail  precision in weighing and mixing ingredients for accurate nutritional content.
• Dependability cattle must be fed daily without exception.
• Effective communication skills for teamwork and adherence to safety protocols.
• Maintain a current driver’s license in good standing and qualify under the Quapaw Nation Motor Vehicle Policy. 

Education & Experience: 

Previous farm, agricultural, or manufacturing experience is a plus, but not required.

Physical Abilities:

• Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods. 
• Ability to reach above shoulder height regularly. 
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds without discomfort or pain. 
• Must have excellent eyesight, with or without corrective lenses.

Working Conditions: 

• Work is primarily performed outdoors, often in inclement weather. 
• Environment may be noisy, dusty, and subject to extreme heat or cold.
• Requires early mornings, weekends, and occasional overtime to meet production needs.

Disclaimers: 

This job description encompasses and describes most but not all tasks and responsibilities of the job. The management reserves the right to change the nature of the job and the job description with or without prior warning, as well as to give special consideration to circumstances related to the essential job functions on a case-by-case basis. The incumbent may be required by the management to perform other duties as assigned. 

This job description does not constitute a contract for employment and may be changed at the discretion of the employer. PLEASE NOTE: Hiring preference in the following order will be provided to qualified members of the Quapaw Nation followed by spouse and caregivers of Quapaw Nation members and then other federally recognized tribes. The Quapaw Nation requires a designated candidate to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check and confirmation of professional references.

*The Quapaw Nation will not observe a medical marijuana card for any position deemed safety sensitive in accordance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act (Unity Bill).