Range Sheepherder

Work description

Required to be available up to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and spend the majority of workdays on the range. All job duties are closely and directly related to the production of sheep. Perform any combination of the following tasks to attend sheep on the range: administer medication as needed; apply medications to cuts and bruises; assist with irrigating forage; assist with sorting and cutting of culls; assist with weed control on grazing areas (including noxious, invasive and poisonous plant species); brand, tag, clip or otherwise mark young animals for identification purposes; care for newly born offspring; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; feed and water and ensure adequate provision of both; feed supplemental rations; feed, water and tend to the dogs (both guard and working dogs) and horses; guard against predatory animals and from eating poisonous and/or noxious plants; herd to appropriate grazing area; identify and administer appropriate medication for various health issues such as internal parasites, respiratory issues, injuries, etc.; identify and locate the more nutrient dense cool season grasses within grazing areas; make certain animals have access to fresh water; monitor animals for weight gain, thrift and health problems; monitor for birthing problems and take correct actions when problems are identified; monitor grazing areas for poisonous and/or noxious plants and take action to prevent animals from consuming any identified; repair and/or maintain fence and facilities to ensure the safety and health of animals and forage; report to rancher dehydration & other indicators of deterioration in body condition/behavioral changes indicating malnutrition; round up strays using dogs and/or fence; spray livestock with insecticide. Perform any combination of the following tasks to attend sheep on the ranch: administer medication as needed; apply medications to cuts and bruises; assist in the maintenance of tools, equipment and handling facilities necessary to production; assist with castration of livestock; assist with sorting and cutting of culls; assist with the vaccination of livestock by herding into corrals and/or stalls or manually restraining animals; brand, tag, clip or otherwise mark young animals for identification purposes; care for newly born offspring; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; feed and water and ensure adequate provision of both; feed, water and tend to the dogs (both guard and working dogs) and horses; guard against predatory animals and from eating poisonous and/or noxious plants; identify and administer appropriate medication for various health issues such as internal parasites, respiratory issues, injuries, etc.; make certain animals have access to fresh water; monitor animals for weight gain, thrift and health problems; monitor for birthing problems and take correct actions when problems are identified; monitor grazing areas for poisonous and/or noxious plants and take action to prevent animals from consuming any identified; repair and/or maintain fence and facilities to ensure the safety and health of animals and forage; spray livestock with insecticide.