Winter Range Sheepherder (Temporary)

Temporary Need: 11/15/24 – 02/14/25. Two (2) temporary Winter Range Sheepherders needed. Requires a minimum of six (6) months experience herding sheep, drove, be able to lift and carry 50 lbs, and have working knowledge of farm machinery and livestock nutrition. Wage is $1,986.76/mo.
Work will be performed in Cedar City, Utah, and various range locations in Iron and Washington Counties Utah.
Duties: Required to be available 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 to sheep on the range during the winter season: administer emergency minor medical care to sick/injured pregnant ewes using roping methods to gently immobilize animal without causing undue stress; assist with hauling water when winter and drought conditions eliminate natural sources of water for sheep; assist with supplemental feeding (when weather or quality of forage precludes use of range forage); attend to pregnant ewes in cold winter temperatures; break ice over frozen water sources; build and/or maintain fence and facilities to ensure the safety and health of animals and forage; detect direction from which the wind or prevailing storms are coming to keep ewes gathered and safe; detect through winter tracking methods where other rancher(s) livestock has been to avoid overgrazing of forage; feed, water and tend to the dogs (both guard and working dogs) and horses; guard against predators prevalent during the winter months using appropriate tracking, trapping, and hunting methods ; herd sheep to appropriate grazing areas using winter trailing methods to avoid undue stress; intensely monitor and treat sheep vulnerable to the colder temperatures and sickness; maintain and set up supply wagon in appropriate direction to provide wind break/shelter/protection for horses and dogs; make sufficient water from snow for horses/dogs at camp; move pregnant ewes at a pace sufficient to ensure they receive ample water/forage during daylight hours before bedding down at night; operate camp stove appropriately to provide/conserve heat in extreme cold/high winds; properly hobble camp horses; properly use/store food supplies for herder/horses/dogs; report to employer dehydration and other indicators of deterioration in animal body condition/behavioral changes indicating malnutrition or disease; report to rancher on water/forage/weather conditions; use proper animal husbandry skill to prevent hypothermia/abortion/death.
Perform any combination of the following tasks to attend to sheep on the ranch during the winter season: administer emergency minor medical care to sick/injured pregnant ewes using roping methods to gently immobilize animal without causing undue stress; assist in the maintenance of tools, equipment and handling facilities necessary to production; attend to pregnant ewes in cold winter temperatures; break ice over frozen water sources; build and/or maintain fence and facilities to ensure the safety and health of animals and forage; feed, water and tend to the dogs (both guard and working dogs) and horses; intensely monitor and treat sheep vulnerable to the colder temperatures and sickness; report to employer dehydration and other indicators of deterioration in animal body condition/behavioral changes indicating malnutrition or disease; use proper animal husbandry skill to prevent hypothermia/abortion/death.
Terms and Conditions: All tools, supplies and equipment necessary to perform the duties assigned will be provided at no cost or deposit to the worker. Must be able to provide employment eligibility documentation (I9 verification) upon hire. The employer will provide, at no cost to the worker, Workers Compensation coverage or private insurance which is equal to Workers Compensation laws for comparable employment. Applicants that have not worked as a livestock worker during the past t
we ve (12) months, up to two (2) references will be required.
The employer guarantees to offer the worker employment for a total number of work days equal to at least 3/4s of the total work period beginning with the first workday after the arrival of the worker at the place of employment or advertised contractual first day of need. Whichever is later to occur, and ending on the expiration date specified. If the worker completes 50% of the work contract period, the employer shall pay the worker the cost incurred by the worker for transportation and daily subsistence from the place from which the worker has come to work for the employer ($15.88day, maximum $59 per day with receipts). The offered wage equals or exceeds the highest of the prevailing wage (AWER) that is issued and determined by DOL for the time period the work is performed (or whichever is the highest rate). This job is in connection with a future H-2A Foreign Labor Certification application.