Ranch Operations Lead needed at Family-owned Cow/Calf Operation in Oregon

Hardie Ranches

Email

[email protected]

Location

central Oregon

Job Type

Full Time, Year round

Salary

+$40k DOE, Housing + Utilities + Full Benefits + Retirement

Posted

September 12, 2026

Housing Offered?

Yes

Experience

2-5 yrs

Sponsoring Work Visas?

How to Apply

Via Email

Job Title: Ranch Operations Lead—Trail Fork

Location: Hardie Ranches—Trail Fork, Condon, Oregon

Company Description:

Hardie Ranches, LLC is a family-owned cow/calf operation located in Condon, Oregon. Now into their 5th generation, the Lost Valley and Trail Fork Ranches comprise approximately 16,000 acres that contain farming grassland, rangeland for grazing, diversified timber stands, and land that is part of multiple conservation programs for wildlife, riparian, and other ecological enhancements. Both ranches combined currently run approximately 380 cow/calf pairs that are certified Natural Beef. The ranches have a surplus of grazing land and can expand the growth of cattle without the need of grazing allotments or leasing.

Benefits

Competitive Salary + Employee Housing on site w/ all utilities paid including water, electric, gas, internet.
Company vehicle, Feed for Horses
10 days of vacation time accrued annually after 90 days of continued employment.
Health, Dental, Vision insurance for employee, spouse, & family. 401K w/ company contribution
Opportunities for professional development and continued education. This includes industry seminars, cattle husbandry classes and rangeland management courses.

Job Responsibilities:

Management of our cow/calf Trail Fork herd including our breeding, replacement, pasture plans, culling, preg testing, branding, and water development programs
Make recommendations on facility improvement and assist in its implementation. This includes building & maintaining fencing on property boundaries & pastures.
Farming practices during spring and fall months along with summer haying seasons.
Run feed systems and assist in bunk management throughout the winter.
Oversee calving during winter months and assist with annual replacement heifer programs to minimize mortality rates and maximize calf health.
Work cattle during scheduled vaccinations and assist in herd health evaluations.
Maintain, fix, and optimize pasture boundaries and fences to maintain control of cattle.
Manage and update cattle records, documentation for accounts payable/receivable and communicate regularly with ownership. This includes regular cadence of weekly or bi-weekly conference calls with all parties.
Communicate time-off requests to arrange for coverage of daily duties when away.
Noxious weed abatement and improving rangeland grasses and habitat.
Responsible for keeping home, landscaping, and grounds tidy, clean, and maintained.
Environmental Uncertainties including firefighting, water hauling & development during drought.
Servicing and general maintenance of equipment & vehicles
Meet and assist with Hardie Ranch hunters and others recreating on property

Skills-Required

Self-starter, highly motivated, and able to complete projects with limited or no direct supervision once trained.
Desire to improve processes and efficiency throughout the operation.
Possess the ability for strategic planning for the future of the operation and ability to see projects through to completion.
Ability to work long hours (70+ hours per week during peak seasons which include calving, branding, haying, fall gathering, processing).
Strong common sense and ability to problem solve and deal with uncertainty.
Positive attitude and desire to create fun and collaborative work culture is critical.
Must possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, needed to relay information to all other employees, business partners, and ownership in a professional, positive and constructive manner, such that all communication is clear and understandable.
Ability to operate safely large tractors and heavy equipment on the ranch is required.
Drive goose-neck trailer to haul feed/supplements, horses, or cattle to sale yards, auctions, or to veterinarian when needed.
Versatile horsemanship skills under all types of ranching conditions.
Build and maintain fencing and corral systems on property boundaries and grazing pastures.
Organizational skills for cattle records, record keeping, grazing plans, and other ranch records.

Skills-Preferred

Cattle health & general veterinary skills including injection administration, oral delivery, and ability to judge sickness is valued.
Handyman skills including general construction, welding, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work is appreciated.
Rangeland Identification and weed control / abatement.
A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) would be helpful but not required.
Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite (word, excel, google business suite, file mgmt.)

Work Environment

Must be able to lift, push or carry up to 75lbs.
Must be able to work in harsh and adverse weather conditions.
Must be able to exert physical strength for prolonged periods of times.
Maintain flexibility as it pertains to work hours, this includes night-shift during calving and haying season.
Professionally participate with government agencies, industry partners, inspectors.
Overnight travel maybe required.
Must maintain valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Must be able to work collaboratively as a team and with other co-workers and neighboring ranches.