Livestock Assistant – Heifer USA

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. 

 

 

In 1944, Heifer International’s founder, Dan West, began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War.     

He had seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family. His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges.      

Today, Heifer International has operations in 19 countries around the world, working alongside local farmers, business owners and their communities, as they mobilize and envision their futures. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.      

To date, we have supported more than 42 million farming families across Africa, Asia and the Americas and in the past five years alone. We have worked alongside 2.7 million families to close the living income gap or set them on a path to doing so. Between now and 2030, we will support an additional 10 million people to reach a living income by scaling up our signature programs. To achieve this, Heifer International relies on its passionate, committed, and highly skilled staff.   

 

 

Heifer U.S.A is seeking a reliable and hardworking Livestock Assistant to support daily ranch operations. This role involves caring for animals, maintaining facilities, and assisting with general ranch operations. The ideal candidate enjoys working outdoors, is physically capable, and has a strong interest in regenerative agriculture. 

The Livestock Assistant supports multiple livestock enterprises at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, and serves an integral part of the Heifer U.S.A team (HUSA).  They will work collaboratively with HUSA team members to complete daily tasks efficiently, communicate clearly, and support overall farm operations and livestock care. 

This position typically follows an 8am-5pm shift, equating to 40 hours. This role will require working on weekends, some holidays, and must have flexibility to work early morning and late shifts a few times per month based on livestock needs (Morning shift: 7am-4pm, Late Shift: 1pm-10pm). The ideal candidate for this role has a passion for agriculture; with education or experience in animal science, environmental studies, ranching, sustainable agriculture, or food systems.  Reliable transportation to the Heifer Ranch.   

Heifer U.S.A provides training in safety procedures critical to the well-being of farm animals and staff. This role offers the opportunity to build a comprehensive knowledge of farming operations and best management practices, including the safe operation of machinery such as tractors and other farm equipment and tools. The Livestock Assistant will develop skills in holistic animal management including, applying best practices in livestock nutrition and feeding; manage and monitor forage systems through adaptive grazing strategies; evaluate weather conditions to guide operational decisions; and proactively identify and mitigate threats to animal welfare, forage productivity, and soil health within a regenerative agriculture framework. Ongoing learning is encouraged, and the Livestock Assistant will have opportunities to stay current with emerging technologies and practices through workshops, conferences and trainings.