Must have 3 months experience with 800 - 1000 head flocks. One reference required.
The herder must be able to identify approaching storm periods and take action to prevent the sheep and dogs from being stranded in and perishing in deep snow. The herder needs to monitor the nutritional needs of the sheep throughout the winter and help provide supplemental feed to the sheep as needed. The herder will perform necessary maintenance on the livestock watering systems to ensure that the sheep have access to fresh water. The herder has to have experience in identifying animals that are under stress due to the cold weather or lack of adequate feed or water. The herder will assist in facilitating a successful breeding season by monitoring the activities of both rams and ewes and performing any animal husbandry practices that are necessary. The herder will take care of the herding and guard dogs and keep them with the sheep. The herder may perform maintenance on fences and corrals on the open range to facilitate the management of the sheep. The herder will trail the sheep to the winter range from the ranch headquarters in October and back to the ranch headquarters in March. The herder may assist in loading sheep onto trucks or trailers that need to be returned to the ranch headquarters. The worker may perform maintenance on water systems that are used exclusively by the sheep for watering the sheep.
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 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

Employment period: Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027