Range Winter Sheepherder

Job description

Must have 3 months experience with 800 – 1000 head flocks. One reference required.
The employee must be able to identify approaching storm periods and make precautions to prevent the flock from drifting against a fence line or brush where they pile up and get drifted over with snow and freeze to death. The herder must be experienced in handling extreme winter conditions on a range to prevent death in sheep and dogs. Due to animals exerting more energy during the winter months, especially in extreme weather, the herder will need to monitor the nutritional needs of an animal throughout the winter. Ensure that animals have access to unfrozen water and to distribute emergency supplemental feed. Monitor snow levels to prevent sheep from being paralyzed in deep snow or caught up against a fence or brush. Herders need to have experience in identifying animals that are not getting enough nutrition, keeping a fresh supply of water in freezing temperatures, and how to maintain animals in extreme weather conditions. Prevents animals from wandering or becoming lost. Beds down sheep near campsite each night. Guards flock against predatory animals.
Workers will be expected to work in conditions normally associated with Colorado climatic conditions.

Some work/tasks may occur off the range, but more than 51% of work will be performed on the range. Western Range Association and its member ranches facilitate practices of good animal husbandry. Employees that are found abusing, neglecting or abandoning livestock entrusted to their care may be terminated for cause. If the negligent/abusive actions of an employee result in the loss/death of livestock/animals or cause harm to another person, the employee may be held accountable for these actions.
The worker will live in the employer provided range housing. Said housing will be clean and in good repair at the time it is provided to the employee. The employee is responsible to maintain the housing unit in a reasonable level of cleanliness in order to avoid flies, mice or other vermin. The employee is responsible to alert the employer of damage to the housing unit within a reasonable amount of time. The employee may be held accountable for damage to the housing unit that can be shown is the result of gross negligence or by a dishonest or willful act on the part of the employee (normal wear and tear excepted).
***Hours worked footnote: On call for up to 24 hours 7 days a week***