Ranch Hand / Lead Man Southeast Wyoming | Full-Time | Year-Round | Housing Provided
Overview:
A well-established, high-volume yearling stocker operation in Southeast Wyoming is looking for a ranch kid who wants to work for one of the better outfits in the region. This operation runs 4,500 to 5,500 head annually across two properties and 140+ sections of summer country. Everything here runs with purpose and precision. This is not a riding-only job. It is a place where the right person will leave sharper, more capable, and better prepared to manage or run their own operation someday. Several former hands are now running large operations of their own. That is not a coincidence. It is what happens when you work somewhere that actually teaches you the game. There are two positions open. One is a solid ranch hand role. The other has potential to grow into a lead man position for the right guy. Someone who can be trusted to make good daily calls and keep things moving without someone looking over his shoulder.
What Sets This Opportunity Apart:
Mentorship is built into the job. The experience in this operation does not stay in the owner's head it gets passed on.
Proven track record of developing hands. Former employees are now running large operations of their own.
Technology-forward outfit. Drones for gathering, weather stations for hay timing, dirt bikes in the field.
Work horseback every day in big country. Own horse preferred and accommodated.
Clear path to lead man role for the right candidate.
Well-maintained equipment. Oldest tractor on the place has 2,000 to 4,000 hours.
Two housing options available on the ranch.
Fair wage, housing covered, and an education you will leverage for the rest of your career.
Good neighbors, good reputation, and guys who leave here do so on good terms.
Responsibilities:- Cattle Work
- Receive and process incoming calves starting in October, up to 1,000 head per week, branded and turned loose within 24 hours of purchase
- Run cake to traps on a set schedule daily, monitor cattle coming in, and identify anything that looks off
- Identify sick calves by reading behavior and body language and doctor up to 100+ head on busy days following operation protocol, done by early afternoon
- Gather and move cattle horseback across 140+ sections of summer country using drones and dirt bikes in combination with horses to cover big country efficiently
- Ship 500 to 600 head every other day starting late August across two sites, loaded and done by 10amHaying and Irrigation
- Operate haying equipment including mowing, raking, and baling grass hay and alfalfa
- Make baling timing calls based on conditions
- Irrigate using ditches, sprinklers, gated pipe, and wheel lines throughout the growing season
- Drag and clean meadows each spring
- Fencing and Grounds
- Fence and maintain summer country throughout spring and summer
- Repair fence damage from elk, snow, and wind throughout the year
- Remove blown-down trees from fence lines
- Clean and maintain irrigation ditches and drop boards
- Equipment and General Ranch
- Operate tractors, payloaders, and haying equipment with care
- Grease equipment, check fluids, and flag mechanical issues early
- Attend daily 7am tailgate meeting ready to work
Qualifications:- Ranch background, can ride and can work
- Own horse preferred
- Able to identify a sick calf or genuinely willing to be taught
- Experience operating farm and ranch equipment
- Reliable, on time, and fully committed with no side businesses
- Physically fit and capable of keeping pace with a hard-working crew
- Family situation that supports ranch life
- Experience with high-volume stocker or yearling operations a plus
- Hay timing and moisture judgment a plus
- Irrigation experience a plus including ditches, gated pipe, and wheel lines
- Interest in growing into a lead man role a plus
Compensation and Benefits:- $2,000 to $4,000 per month DOE with room to grow for the guy who earns itHousing provided with two options available on the ranch
- Horse accommodations included
- Salary position with steady, year-round income
Daily exposure to one of the most knowledgeable operators in the region. The education here is part of the compensation.
