Pen Rider / Vaquero (Burbank, WA)

If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in caring for livestock, and have strong horsemanship skills, this could be the opportunity for you. As a Pen Rider, you'll play an important role in maintaining the health and well-being of our cattle while contributing to the success of daily feedlot operations. 

In this hands-on position, you'll spend your days horseback in the pens, monitoring cattle health, identifying animals that need attention, and working closely with managers and veterinary staff to ensure proper care and treatment. You'll be part of a dedicated team that values animal welfare, safety, and stockmanship. 

Care for and Monitor Cattle Health 

• Ride horseback through feedlot pens to observe cattle and identify animals that are sick, injured, or showing signs of stress.
• Safely remove cattle that require medical attention.
• Administer treatments and medications according to protocols established by the Staff Veterinarian.
• Help ensure all livestock are handled safely, professionally, and humanely. 

Support Daily Feedlot Operations 

• Assist with receiving, unloading, sorting, and processing cattle. 
• Move and rotate cattle between pens according to operational and production schedules.
• Partner with the Feedlot Manager, Cattle Manager/Supervisor, and Lead Cowboy to support the daily needs of the operation.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support overall feedlot success. 

Care for Horses 

• Maintain healthy and productive horses through feeding, training, shoeing, and basic medical care.
• Ensure horses are fit and ready to safely perform daily work activities. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent (preferred but not required).
• Experience working with cattle in one or more segments of the beef industry, including:  
  • Cow-calf operations
  • Stocker operations
  • Feedlot cattle feeding operations
• Strong understanding of cattle health and animal condition, typically gained through at least two years of feedlot or ranch experience.
• Adequate horsemanship skills in a feedlot environment.
• Ability to provide your own tack. 

Communication Skills 

• Ability to read and understand basic instructions, correspondence, and workplace communications.
• Ability to write simple, clear correspondence.
• Comfortable communicating with coworkers, supervisors, customers, and visitors in both one-on-one and small group settings. 

Basic Math Skills

• Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to work with weights, measurements, distances, and U.S. currency. 

Problem Solving

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to use sound judgment and common sense when addressing routine operational situations. 

This is a physically demanding, active role that requires individuals to work safely in a livestock environment. 

Employees in this position must be able to: 

• Mount and dismount a horse multiple times throughout the day.
• Remain in the saddle for extended periods.
• Safely mount and dismount horses during winter conditions to break ice when necessary.
• Frequently push, pull, twist, and maneuver while riding horseback.
• Stand, walk, and regularly use hands and fingers to operate tools and equipment.
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.
• Maintain visual abilities necessary for the job, including distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

This position is primarily performed outdoors in a working feedlot environment. 

Employees can expect: 

• Daily exposure to cattle and feedlot conditions.
• Work in all types of weather, including heat, cold, wind, rain, and snow.
• Exposure to dust, fumes, and airborne particles.
• Occasional work around moving mechanical equipment.
• Wet and humid working conditions at times.
• Moderate to loud noise levels.
• This role may require:
  • Nights, weekends, and holiday work.
  • Extended shifts
  • Working as part of a close-knit team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. 

Successful Pen Riders play a critical role in animal health, cattle welfare, and operational success. If you enjoy working with livestock, take pride in horsemanship, and want to be part of a team that values hard work and stockmanship, we'd love to hear from you.