Range Winter Sheepherder

Job description

Workers must have at least 3 months of experience birthing livestock with herds of 200 head or larger on the open range or pasture. One reference required.
Workers will assist in the transportation of sheep from worksites in Idaho to worksites in Arizona thru Nevada and vice versa. The sheep are loaded onto licensed commercial livestock carriers. Workers are needed to monitor the well being of the sheep at various stops along the way. In the event of a mechanical issue or accident, workers are needed to assist in the unloading and loading or the transfer to a different carrier.
May assist in lambing, docking, and shearing. The following seasonal duties will need to be performed. Herder will need to move pregnant ewes to lambing grounds. Be able to identify signs of ewes going into labor and identify potential problems during the labor process. Know how and when to assist during difficult births. Be able to properly constrain ewes for difficult births and able to graft orphan lambs to mothers. Ability to identify herd health issues including but not limited to malnutrition of ewes and lambs, prolapse and mastitis. Provide water to animals, including minor maintenance of water troughs and water lines. May need to haul water in truck to supplement animal water needs. May need to provide supplement feed for the ewes and lambs if the range has insufficient forage. May need to provide supplemental water on the rangeland to facilitate increased feed value for the herd. Disperse livestock on the range to reduce overcrowding and increase the success of mother and lamb bonding. Protect vulnerable livestock (lambs & ewes in labor) from predators. Move ewes and lambs and assist in branding, castrating, vaccinating, tagging, and worming. Ability to safely catch lambs with a hook. Move ewes and lambs to summer range grounds.
May assist in setting and moving temporary portable fence. May perform general repairs on fence.
Workers may be asked but not required to obtain a valid U.S. driver license and operate a motor vehicle.

While in Idaho, the employee must be able to identify approaching storm periods and make precautions to prevent the herd from drifting against a fence line 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, horses, and dogs. Due to animals exerting more energy during the winter months especially in extreme winter weather, the herder will need to monitor the nutritional needs of an animal throughout winter. Ensure that animals have access to unfrozen water and to distribute emergency supplemental feed. Monitor snow levels to prevent sheep/goats from being paralyzed in deep snow or caught up against a fence. Herders need to have experience in identifying animals who are not getting enough nutrition, keeping a fresh supply of water in freezing temperatures, and how to maintain animals in extreme weather conditions.

Special Requirements

NONE