WINTER RANGE SHEEPHERDER

Work description

Must have 3 months experience with 800 to 1000 head flocks. One reference required. The employee must be able to manage sheep and/or goat grazing on winter range to include but not limited to dormant feed and winter annuals. The herder must oversee grazing to overgraze and negatively impact the rangeland. Be able to protect livestock from predators and manage livestock guardian animals. The herder must identify approaching storm periods and make precautions to prevent protect livestock. 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 the winter. Ensure that animals have access to unfrozen water and to distribute supplemental and emergency feed. 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. The herder must be experienced in handling extreme weather conditions on a range to prevent death in sheep, goats, and dogs. 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. 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). Hours worked footnote: On call for up to 24 hours 7 days a week.

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Last updated: October 7, 2026