Maintenance & Fencing Crew (ZX Ranch)

Summary

This position supports the maintenance, repair, and remodeling of residential and commercial facilities within a large ranching operation. Responsibilities include assisting with building construction, plumbing, electrical work, and a variety of general maintenance tasks. The role also involves operating heavy equipment and related implements to complete a wide range of construction, ranch, and farming projects as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance and repairs on company property, buildings, and facilities, including planning, troubleshooting, and general upkeep.
• Construct and maintain ranch fencing, including barbed‑wire fences, wooden corrals, and pipe fences.
• Assist with winter cattle feeding, which may involve operating machinery to load and distribute hay, feeding hay by hand, and transporting hay to various ranch locations. Maintain accurate records of hay usage, including location, type, date, and amount fed.
• Maintain and develop livestock water systems by repairing pipeline breaks, replacing spring boxes, and developing new water sources on the range. Ensure preventive maintenance is scheduled and completed.
• Analyze projects to determine material needs and develop timelines for completion.
• Operate heavy equipment—such as water trucks, cement trucks, backhoes, bulldozers, loaders, and graders—to complete maintenance and construction tasks.
• Use basic welding skills to repair or construct corrals and related structures.
• Perform light equipment maintenance, including fueling, checking fluid levels, and coordinating timely servicing with mechanics.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of maintenance, repair, and heavy equipment operation.
• Working understanding of stock water systems is preferred.
• Ability to assist supervisors with project planning, including researching materials and developing practical job solutions.
• Capable of multitasking, problem‑solving, and communicating clearly in a fast‑paced ranching environment.
• Highly self‑motivated with the ability to work efficiently and independently.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience and/or training.
• An Associate’s degree (AA) or equivalent from a two‑year college or technical school is preferred.
• A comparable combination of education and hands‑on experience may also be considered.

Language Skills

• Strong organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Capable of writing routine reports and general correspondence.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Able to compute ratios, percentages, and other basic calculations as needed.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to apply practical, common‑sense understanding to follow instructions provided in written, oral, or diagram form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle and manipulate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee frequently is required to walk and sit.
• The employee is required to stand; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• The employee must be able to regularly lift up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Extended hours of work and working days off are routinely required. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and loud working environments.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.