Ranch Hand/Ranch operations technician

Ranch Hand / Ranch Operations Technician

Northstar Bison Ranch | Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Northstar Bison Ranch is looking for a dependable, hard-working individual to join our ranch team. We operate one of the Midwest’s premier bison ranches with a focus on quality livestock, regenerative agriculture, responsible land stewardship, well-maintained facilities, and continual improvement.

This is a year-round, full-time position for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in a job well done, and wants to build a career in agriculture. Every day is different. One day you may be baling hay, the next repairing fence, moving bison, servicing equipment, setting up a new grazing area, or improving ranch infrastructure.

What You’ll Do

• Operate tractors, skid steers, and hay equipment
• Assist with hay production, including mowing, raking, baling, and hauling
• Build, repair, and maintain high-tensile fencing
• Follow adaptive grazing plans and assist with portable grazing systems
• Set up, move, and maintain portable livestock corral systems
• Move and care for bison and other livestock
• Assist with livestock husbandry as needed
• Perform equipment maintenance and basic repairs
• Maintain pastures, water systems, and ranch facilities
• Assist with new ranch projects and enterprise development
• Pitch in wherever needed to keep ranch operations running smoothly

What We’re Looking For

• Strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Dependable and punctual
• Comfortable working outdoors in all seasons
• Willingness to learn new skills and approaches
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Comfortable working in a close-knit, family-owned operation
• Valid driver’s license
• Alignment with our company core values:
• Stewardship — Take care of the land, livestock, equipment, and resources entrusted to us
• Respect for Others — Treat coworkers, customers, and others with respect
• Humble Confidence — Take ownership, contribute your skills, and remain willing to listen and learn
• A Servant’s Heart — Be willing to help the team and step in where needed
• Growth Mindset — Look for ways to learn, improve, and do things better

Preferred Experience

• Farm or ranch experience
• Livestock handling
• Tractor and equipment operation
• Welding, mechanical, or construction experience
• Grazing management or regenerative agriculture experience

Don’t have experience in every area? If you’re willing to work hard and learn, we’d still like to hear from you.

Schedule

Agriculture doesn’t always follow a Monday-through-Friday schedule. Weather, livestock, and hay season occasionally require early mornings, evenings, or weekends. We work together to get the job done while maintaining a healthy work-life balance whenever possible.

Benefits

• Competitive pay based on experience
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Optional life insurance
• Optional short-term disability insurance
• Employee discount
• Opportunities to learn new skills and grow within the company

Why Northstar?

We’re a family-owned, vertically integrated ranch committed to raising exceptional livestock while improving the land we manage. Our regenerative approach emphasizes thoughtful grazing, responsible stewardship, and continually finding better ways to operate.

Your work here matters. You’ll be trusted with real responsibility, operate quality equipment, work directly with livestock and the land, and have opportunities to learn as the ranch continues to grow and develop new enterprises.

If you’re looking for a career in agriculture instead of just another job, we’d love to meet you.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Do you have any prior experience with livestock? If yes, what kind?
• Do you have any prior experience with operating farm machinery?

Experience:

• Farming: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person