Buffalo Herdsman and Ranch Hand

Pit River Tribe

Purpose:

The Pit River Tribe (PRT) job description is a management tool to help organize duties and provide employees with the employer's expectations with regard to the specific job classification. The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is a reasonable assignment for the position.

Summary:

The Buffalo Herdsman, will be responsible for working with the XL Ranch Manager Natural Resources Coordinator in Alturas to perform all aspects of Buffalo heard management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to work with tools of all kinds are valuable skills to maintain and repair machinery needed.
• Managing a buffalo herd is very similar to managing cattle, with the difference that buffalo are always going to be wild animals.
• Having a love for the outdoors, a love for animals, knowledge of range plants and pasture rotation as well as ruminant nutrition are all important to be successful in this job.
• This industry is being transformed by the implementation of science and technology in almost every phase of the process. For example, branding and vaccinating of herds are largely mechanized in cattle operations.
• The use of trucks, portable communications gear, and global positioning equipment now is common and saves valuable time for ranchers and other herd managers.
• On livestock-producing farms and ranches, work goes on throughout the year. Animals, unless they are grazing, must be fed and watered every day.
• Many livestock managers monitor and attend to the health of their herds, which may include assisting in the birthing of animals

Key Skills and Knowledge:

• Bison Behavior and Management
• Understanding the Nature of Buffalo: Buffalo are wild animals.
• Buffalo are athletic animals:
• Buffalo are perfectly adapted to their environment

  Knowledge of Buffalo:

  hair, metabolism, life span, rutting season, grazing characteristics, bison behavior, herd instincts, self-preservation, pecking order, personality characteristics of Bison, herd management decisions, dehorn or not to dehorn decisions, weaning and creep feeding.

  Qualifications:

• Have the ability to work effectively with Native American People in a culturally diverse environment.
• Have good time management skills and be able to work under stressful conditions.
• Most herd managers receive their training on the job, often by being raised on a ranch or farm. However, the completion of a 2-year associate degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree at a college of agriculture is becoming increasingly important for those who expect to make a living at ranching or managing herds. Those new to field often spend time working under an experienced rancher to learn how to apply the skills learned through academic training. Those without academic training often take many years to learn how feeding and take care of animals.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the public, employees, and agencies.
• Must possess verbal and written communication skills as this position works with businesses, and a variety of state, county, federal and tribal entities.
• Have the ability to follow written and oral instructions

  Requirements:

• Must possess a California driver's license, a good driving record, and be insurable by the PRT insurance carrier.
• Adhere to all PRT policies
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and be willing to submit to a criminal background check.

Indian Preference:

Preference will be given to qualified Native American’s under the Federal Indian Preference Act (43 CFR 17.3 (d). Applicants claiming Indian Preference must submit verification of Indian certification by tribe or affiliation or other acceptable documentation of Indian heritage.

Knowledge of Pit River Tribe:

 this position requires an awareness and deep appreciation of the Pit River Tribe Indian Tradition, customs and socioeconomic need. It requires the ability at all times, to meet and deal effectively in contacts with Indian people and organizations. This requires tact, courtesy, confidentiality, discretion, resourcefulness and good judgment in handling sensitive issues.

Other duties as assigned:

The Pit River Tribe (PRT) position description is a management tool to help organize duties and provide employees with the employer's expectations with regard to the specific job classification. The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is a reasonable assignment for the position.

Contact:

Human Resources Department

Elizabeth Asahi Sato, HR Director

36970 Park Avenue

Burney, California 96013

(530)335-5421 ext.1208

(530)335-3140 Fax

HR@pitrivertribe.o