Range Sheepherder

Job description

Must have 3 month experience with 800-1000 head flocks. Workers may be asked but not required to obtain a valid U.S. driver’s license and operate a motor vehicle. One reference required. Must be able to preform the following seasonal duties at the direction of the employer. Attend to sheep flocks grazing on the open range or pasture. Herd flocks and round up strays using trained dogs. Attend to sheep grazing on the range to include herding on the range or in pastures while riding ATV or on foot. Bed down flock in night corral. Protects vulnerable sheep from predators and from eating noxious vegetation. Examine and identify animals for sign of illness and administer vaccines, medication, nutritive supplements according to instructions. Provide water to animals, including mild maintenance of water systems. Range hearding is typically completed in the spring, summer and fall when vegetation is not in a dormant state. A range herder requires knowledge and maintenance of range land in order to avoid overgrazing of the range land and prevention of animals ingesting noxious weeds. The proper grazing actions of these animals helps to reduce wildland fire fuel, increase soil fertility and improve vegetation. Experienced employees hired for this type of position would need to have the knowledge of maintaining a herd on a range so the animals don't disperse in large open areas, be able to promote proper grazing of range land, and predator control on the range. May need to haul water (in truck) to provide sufficient and ample water to sheep in the hot summer. May assist in moving portable fence and (or) corrals. May preform incidental general repairs on fences and (or) corrals as necessary. The worker must be able to use a 4-wheeler in a safe and effective manner. Workers must be able to work alone for extended periods of time and complete tasks as instructed by the employer or their representative in a safe and timely manner without direct supervision. Employees that are found abusing, neglecting or abandoning the sheep entrusted to their care may be terminated for cause. If the negligent/abusive actions of an employee result in the loss/death of the animals or cause harm to another person, the employee may be held accountable for these actions.

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 animals entrusted to their care may be terminated for cause. If the negligent/abusive actions of an employee result in the loss/death of animals or cause harm to another person, the employee may be held accountable for these actions. ***Hours worked footnote: On call for up to 24 hours 7 days a week***