Livestock Worker

Smelker Farms · Kit Carson, CO

Employment period: 2026-12-01 to 2027-01-31

Hours per week: 50.0

Pay conditions

Wage offer for H-2A workers only is $15.16 per hour.

Job duties from the source

Job duties include operating and maintaining a variety of farm equipment such as skid steers, loaders, and feeding machinery to support daily livestock and facility operations. Responsibilities involve assisting with all aspects of calving cows and bred heifers, including monitoring for signs of labor, providing support during delivery, and ensuring proper postnatal care. Newborn calves may need to be lifted and carried to safe or designated areas for treatment and care. Duties also include bottle feeding calves, weaning calves from cows, managing the separation process, monitoring calf health and behavior, and providing appropriate nutrition during the transition. Feeding tasks involve mixing and distributing rations based on livestock nutritional requirements and guidelines provided by management or a nutritionist. This includes grinding hay bales and lifting heavy bags of minerals and supplements, as well as moving hay bales manually or with equipment. Accurate records of feed deliveries must be maintained, and rations adjusted as needed based on health, seasonal, or nutritional considerations. Animals must have clean, consistent access to feed and water. Daily responsibilities include monitoring livestock health, identifying signs of illness or injury, and administering medications and vaccines as directed. Support is provided during veterinary visits by gathering and restraining animals, preparing treatment areas, and recording health information. Cattle must be sorted, moved, loaded, and transported safely and efficiently using proper low-stress handling techniques to minimize animal stress and ensure safety for both livestock and workers. Fly and pest control measures include regularly spraying cattle with appropriate treatments to reduce the impact of flies and other external parasites. Workers are also responsible for cleaning and maintaining barns, pens, and handling areas; managing bedding and manure; and ensuring a clean, safe environment for animals. This includes handling and transporting manure properly and cleaning water tanks regularly. Water tanks must also be thawed, ice broken as needed, and repaired when necessary to ensure reliable access to water. Water may also need to be transported to maintain adequate supply. Routine inspections and preventative maintenance of farm equipment, buildings, and infrastructure are required, along with basic mechanical repairs. Snow removal and dust control tasks must be performed as needed to maintain access and safety throughout the facility. Workers also assist with the general upkeep of facilities and are expected to maintain accurate records of health treatments, feed deliveries, and cattle movements. Use of livestock management software may be required when applicable. Tasks are physically demanding and require regularly lifting and carrying heavy items such as hay bales, mineral bags, and newborn calves. Daily duties may vary. The employer reserves the right to increase workers' pay or provide bonuses based on tenure, performance, or other factors that are solely based on the discretion of the employer.

Additional requirements

Basic English literacy skills are required. Applicants must have, or be able to obtain, a driver's license within 30 days of hire. Job duties will require workers to be exposed to outdoor temperatures in CO that could be below freezing. Job duties may require workers to push, pull, sit, or walk for extensive periods.

Verification

H-2A disclosures

Housing: Check job order · Daily transport: Check job order · 3/4 guarantee: Check job order

How to apply

Prospective applicants will be considered for employment by applying through the local SWA or contacting the employer/hiring manager and showing proof that they meet the qualification/experience requirements. All applicants must apply directly to the employer during normal business hours of 8:00 am 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. In-person or phone interviews will be required. Applicants must call Mitch Rady at (970) 302-2089 prior to coming to the employers location to schedule an appointment. Applicants are NOT to come in for an interview without having scheduled an interview prior to arrival. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written proof establishing prior work experience. References may be contacted by employer to verify work experience. Workers should be notified of terms, conditions and nature of employment by the local employment office prior to referral. This notification will ensure applicants are able to review all information regarding employment, make an informed decision regarding the job, and compliance with disclosure requirements in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(q). Interstate and Intrastate candidates will be interviewed over the phone. Compliance screens of workers will be done using the following criteria: 1) confirm availability, qualifications, ability, and willingness to perform work described in work contract/agreement and confirm intention to work the entire season, 2) confirmation of full disclosure of all terms, conditions, and nature of work/job by local employment agency, 3) local workers confirm availability of reliable daily transportation to and from the job site for the entire season. Non-local workers confirm availability of transportation to job site to begin work, 4) affirmative confirmation of legal qualifications to work in the US as described below. Workers who are reasonably able to return to their residence within the same day will not be provided with housing, subsistence and transportation. Employer will only complete the hiring process with workers who posses original identity and employment eligibility documents sufficient to complete USCIS Form I-9, as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. This is to ensure that the employer is only hiring workers legally entitled to work in the United States. All new hires must complete the Form I-9, as required by IRCA, prior to their first day of work. Workers that cannot provide this documentation will not be allowed to work until it is provided.

Recruitment phone: +19073022089

Recruitment: mitchrady@hotmail.com