Pivot and Mechanical Systems Specialist

Compass Cattle Company, LLC
704 Otter Creek Road
Big Timber, MT 59011

Job Title- Pivot and Mechanical Systems Specialist
Position- Full Time
Status- Exempt
Housing Provided- Yes
Position Available- October 17, 2022

Compass Cattle Company’s strategic intent is to develop livestock that produce nutrient dense meat, consistently rated the best tasting through low-stress handling and regenerative agriculture practices. We are committed to a culture of integrity, continuous improvement, exceeding customer expectations and being a great place to work.

The ranch HQ is located approximately 12 miles NNE of Big Timber, MT. Population 1,700 and K-12 school. The cattle herd is comprised of cow-calf, yearling and grass-finishing age classes. The bison herd consists of growers and finishing age classes. Grazing practices apply the tools of adaptive, non-selective forage management; striking the balance of animal health and performance, and optimal range and soil health. This management balances the necessity for ecosystem health through regenerative agriculture. Cattle and bison are managed with minimal supplementation, and with the absence of antibiotics and growth implants.

Livestock are handled using low-stress livestock handling techniques. Grazing is managed using deliberate and planned grazing implementation that requires understanding plant and soil health. Grazing pressures are applied through temporary fencing and the ability to handle livestock. Irrigated pastures are managed to maximize forage diversity & soil health for the benefit of growing and finishing livestock primarily using center pivots. Regenerating soils throughout the ranch and maximizing plant diversity are paramount to producing our world class meat.

Position is supervised by the ranch manager.

Experience and Education:
Experience operating and maintaining center pivot irrigation systems, heavy equipment and freezer units as well as vehicles is required. Minimum of 5 years of mechanical experience preferred. Exposure to Holistic Management, Management-intensive Grazing, and Ranching for Profit is preferred.

Essential Responsibilities:
Employee will be responsible for operation and maintenance of 19 existing pivots as well as any new additions. Operation of Kifco and portable sprinklers, as well as flood irrigation and gated pipe. This includes existing units and assisting in layout for new install of systems. Concurrent with the pivot operations, the employee will maintain a fleet of rolling stock and heavy equipment. Maintenance and operation of freezer units for product storage. Duties also include but not limited to infrastructure for construction such as excavation, earthwork, track filling, trenching, fence and corral construction, stockwater systems, seeding, gather and stack hay, minimal farming, haul and spread gravel and rock, mix and apply fertigation through pivots and foliar application, and coordination with subcontractors as needed. Seasonally the position will allow for time to do winter maintenance on pivots and equipment, as well as assist with cow works at times including processing, feeding and overseeing the day-to-day management of animals.

Mechanical and Equipment
o Ensure safe, reliable and secure operations, procedures, equipment and infrastructure
o Ensure all center pivots are maintained and operational throughout the growing season.
o Operate, maintain and improve irrigation systems to maximize high quality pasture with high plant species diversity for forage finishing of livestock goals. Performed through grazing, seeding and proper water application via irrigation
o Operate and maintain center pivots, flood, gated pipe and travelling sprinkler irrigation systems. Utilization of remote operation (Valley 365 Application) using smartphone
o Operate and maintain heavy equipment including but not limited to dump truck, semi with belly dump, backhoe, skid steer, tractor, excavator, telehandler, no-till drill, precision ag sprayer, and various farm implements
o Operation and maintenance of multiple freezer units. These are typically AC operated compressors that must be operational 24/7. Troubleshooting, repair and maintain and coordination with specialized contractor for repairs that cannot be performed on ranch. Freezers have backup power generator that must be maintained, ready to operate and
o Property and infrastructure improvement including fence removal and install, cattle guards, property cleanup, building construction and improvements, road maintenance, assist and coordinate with new construction of buildings and ranch infrastructure setup, stockwater development including pipelines, tanks and spring development, stockwater systems
o Metal and wood fabrication for ranch projects, equipment repair and ranch infrastructure
o New fence construction, fence maintenance, frequent temporary electric fencing
o Development and maintenance of buildings, fences, corrals and stockwater
o Tracking of ag inputs on fields and pastures using Raven GPS or similar

General
o Manage irrigation systems to promote maximum forage growth and diversity during the growing season
o Collect and manage relevant data for ongoing improvement and achievement of Business Goals
o Participate in WOTB meetings
o Communicate and coordinate with the ranch manager, ranch staff, and Owners to sustain commitment to culture
o Assist with cattle processing, calving, branding and feeding on a periodic basis
o Weigh and vaccinate livestock using syringes and hypodermic needles and use of a hydraulic or manual squeeze chute
o Maintenance of freezer units for cold product storage. Assist with meat marketing components of the business, including but not limited to infrastructure for meat storage and shipping, assist in hauling, sorting and meat management, and shipping of product when additional help is needed

Qualifications and Background:
• Safety conscience and proactive in a safety culture, and proactively wear PPE
• Honesty, integrity, intellect, passion for the work, work ethic, systems thinking
• Be a life-long learner
• Experience in center pivot and flood irrigation for operation and maintenance
• Experience operating and maintaining heavy equipment for both farm and ranch as well as construction
• Experience and ability to learn to manage freezer units and adapt to technology for maintaining and monitoring to ensure the units are functioning properly
• Small and large engine operation and maintenance
• Interest in Grass finishing & adaptive grazing
• Knowledge and practical experience in animal husbandry and low-stress livestock handling experience and training
• Knowledge and practical experience in building soil health and forage species diversity using grazing practices
• Management-intensive Grazing experience including forage management and temporary/permanent fencing and stockwater
• Experience in fence construction and maintenance
• Experience with electric fencing

Competencies:
• Have a positive, can-do attitude every day regardless of the task at hand. Recognize that we “Get To, Not Got To”, and be a life-long learner
• Problem solving- identifies and resolves problems, works well in groups or alone
• Teamwork- balances team and individual responsibilities, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to a positive team spirit
• Motivation- takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
• Organization- Plans and prioritizes work and uses time efficiently
• Professionalism- Reacts well under pressure and follows through on commitments
• Attendance- Is consistently on time and ensures responsibilities are covered when absent
• Dependability- takes responsibility for own actions, commits long hours of work when necessary
• Confidentiality- sensitivity to Owner
• Computer skills- including Microsoft Excel and Word, ability to learn GPS technology for foliar and amendment application, smartphone function and applications and understanding/ reading maps

Physical Demands:
Work conditions will require exposure to environmental extremes and will often require employee to complete essential work in these given conditions. Some work will include dusty conditions and airborne particles in shop and outdoor work. Employee will often need to lift and carry 50-100 pounds. Terrain and daily work conditions will vary. Work duties will often include sitting, walking, climbing, and working in uneven ground conditions. The daily duties will also include extensive time on atv’s, utv’s, vehicles, heavy equipment, tractors, and sometimes horseback.

Compensation:
Competitive salary, 401k, health insurance, housing with utilities (electric, gas, internet, and cell phone allowance).

For consideration, send resume and cover letter to:
Compass Cattle Company, LLC
info@compasscattle.com
Attn: Aaron

Compass Cattle Company, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer