Range Livestock Worker

Job description

Must have 3 months experience with 200 plus head of livestock on the range. Experience with 800-1000 head flocks of sheep strongly preferred. One reference required.
Attends livestock grazing on range or pasture: Herds and rounds up strays using trained dogs. Beds down livestock near evening campsite and moves portable fence to avoid animals over grazing. Guard livestock from predatory animals and from eating poisonous plants. Drenches livestock. May examine animals for signs of illness and administer vaccines, medications and insecticides according to instructions. May assist in birthing and health protocols for newborn animals. May need to work around and with tractors to assist in providing supplemental feed. Providing water to animals, including minor maintenance of water troughs and water lines. May perform duties including but not limited to herding, trailing, branding, castrating, sorting, and loading on to trucks for transport to a new range or market. May perform general repairs on fence and livestock facilities, perform minor mechanical duties, welding, and general ranch maintenance closely and directly related to herding and/or the production of livestock.
The work activities involve the herding or production of livestock (which includes work that is closely and directly related to herding and/or the production of livestock).
The worker must also 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 in a safe and timely manner without direct supervision.
In addition to herding, use portable electric fencing to manage range vegetation, prevent overgrazing, and provide optimum nutrition to sheep and cattle, in accordance with the season and guidance from employer.
Use provided cell phones and apps to record flock and herd performance, movement, and forage inventory. Be prepared to manage sheep and cattle sharing the same range. Daily feeding and watering of guardian dogs attached to the flock or herd and assist with health protocols in accordance with instructions.

Some work/tasks may occur off the range, but more than 50% 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 is the result of negligence 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***