Winter Sheep Ranch Worker

Job description

The sheep duties will be performed within driving distance, no overnight stays on the range. Be able to identify signs of lambs 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 lambs for difficult births and able to graft orphan lambs to mothers or bottle feed. Identifying and earmarking lambs. Clean lambing pens in barn and keeping clean bedding. Vaccinate lambs and mature sheep. Worm, hoof trimming. Ability to identify herd health issues including but not limited to malnutrition of ewes and lambs, prolapse and mastitis and treat with guidance of owner. Identify sheep to be culled based on culling factors determined by owner. Feed grain and winter supplemental hay to sheep.
May assist on an incidental basis in the production of cattle which may include vaccinating all mature cattle, check perimeter fencing for erosion, and damage, and check pastures for storm damage, removing or flag for removal any broken tree limbs.
Perform winter check of all ranch building. Flag and repair any damage to buildings. Notify Owner of any major damages. Perform yearly winter maintenance on all equipment used in livestock or general ag. Cover and store all equipment not in use during the winter months. Perform repairs on any mobile fencing, panels, or equipment that can be done inside barn. Perform post storm water level visual checks on creeks, ditches, and perform tasks necessary to mitigate flooding and divert rain water.

The worker will live in the employer provided 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 a dishonest or willful act or by the gross negligence on the part of the employee (normal wear and tear excepted).