FORT WORTH, Texas — Calling all animal and history lovers! A famous North Texas cattle herd has a job opening that might be perfect for you.
The Fort Worth Herd has applications open for people who are interested in working as a drover.
More than 8 million people visited the Fort Worth Stockyards last year and the twice-daily cattle drive is its main - and biggest - attraction with thousands lining up along East Exchange Avenue to view the longhorns walking down the street.
Drovers are in charge of recreating historic cattle drives through the Fort Worth Stockyards. Employees will also be in charge of interacting with visitors, operating equipment (tractors, trailers, etc.) and caring for the horses and cattle.
“It is the most rewarding experience that you could imagine because these visitors are coming from all over the world," Kristin Jaworski, the Fort Worth Herd's trail boss said. “It truly is a dream job for most of us.”
Created in 1999, the Herd has the world's only twice-daily cattle drive and it's one of the biggest cultural attractions in Texas.
They've only hired two full-time drovers for their crew of six in the past decade, so the opportunity doesn't come up often.
“It’s such a unique, prestigious position," Jaworski said. “We get to work outside with these beautiful animals every single day and we’re an ambassador from horseback.”
The Herd is made up of 17 Texas Longhorns, each steer representing one decade of Fort Worth’s past, and a diverse team of drovers in authentic 19th century clothing.
While it's not mandatory, the Herd prefers applicants with responsible experience in horseback riding, cattle handling, and public speaking. They're also looking for drovers who can speak Spanish.
“We are truly looking for people that know how to ride horses that may be familiar with cattle," Jaworski said. "We’ll work on the Texas longhorn down the middle of the street part."
Full- and part-time drovers will be paid $16 to $20 an hour and will be eligible for a three-month hiring bonus based on performance. The Herd will provide training, clothes, horses and tack.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply.
Be sure to fill out the application online and email it to TheHerd@FortWorth.com. Phone calls and walk-ins will not be accepted.
Editor's Note: The following video was uploaded in March 2020.
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