RANGE SHEEPHERDER

H2ajobs; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided

Transportation arranged

Job summary

H2ajobs seeks a range herder to attend to 800-1000 head flocks on open range and pasture near Visalia, CA. You will herd with trained dogs, ride ATV or walk, and bed down flocks in night corrals.

Maintain water and watch for illness, administer vaccines as instructed, and protect animals from predators and weeds. Knowledge of range land management is helpful to prevent overgrazing and promote healthy vegetation.

Qualifications

• 3 months experience with 800-1000 head flocks.
• Ability to drive a US vehicle if required.
• Must be able to work alone for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Attend to sheep flocks grazing on open range or pasture.
• Herd flocks using trained dogs and by ATV or on foot.
• Provide water and vaccines as instructed; monitor health.
• Protect animals from predators and weeds; avoid overgrazing.
• Perform incidental fence/corral repairs and range tasks.
• Operate a 4-wheeler safely; perform range maintenance.
• Work during spring, summer and fall as needed.

Skills

Animal care

ATV operation

Job description

Must have 3 month experience with 800-1000 head flocks. Workers may be asked but not required to obtain a valid U.S. driver’s license and operate a motor vehicle. One reference required. Must be able to preform the following seasonal duties at the direction of the employer. Attend to sheep flocks grazing on the open range or pasture. Herd flocks and round up strays using trained dogs. Attend to sheep grazing on the range to include herding on the range or in pastures while riding ATV or on foot. Bed down flock in night corral. Protects vulnerable sheep from predators and from eating noxious vegetation. Examine and identify animals for sign of illness and administer vaccines, medication, nutritive supplements according to instructions. Provide water to animals, including mild maintenance of water systems. Range herding is typically completed in the spring, summer and fall when vegetation is not in a dormant state. A range herder requires knowledge and maintenance of range land in order to avoid overgrazing of the range land and prevention of animals ingesting noxious weeds. The proper grazing actions of these animals helps to reduce wild land fire fuel, increase soil fertility and improve vegetation. Experienced employees hired for this type of position would need to have the knowledge of maintaining a herd on a range so the animals don't disperse in large open areas, be able to promote proper grazing of range land, and predator control on the range. May need to haul water (in truck) to provide sufficient and ample water to sheep in the hot summer. May assist in moving portable fence and (or) corrals. May preform incidental general repairs on fences and (or) corrals as necessary. The worker must be able to use a 4-wheeler in a safe and effective manner. Workers must be able to work alone for extended periods of time and complete tasks as instructed by the employer or their representative in a safe and timely manner without direct supervision. Employees that are found abusing, neglecting or abandoning the sheep entrusted to their care may be terminated for cause. If the negligent/abusive actions of an employee result in the loss/death of the animals or cause harm to another person, the employee may be held accountable for these actions. 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. Hours worked footnote: On call for up to 24 hours 7 days a week

Housing: Employer-provided (including mobile or range)

Meals: Housing contains free and convenient cooking facilities and employer will provide three prepared meals a day or adequate food, free of charge, based on the requisition by worker, for workers to prepare their own meals while in camp or on the range. Employer may at times provide prepared meals for workers consumption. Employer will provide worker a minimum of 4.5 gallons of potable water per day per worker for drinking and cooking purposes. Additional clean water will be provided to meet the workers laundry and bathing needs.

Transport: Transportation from point of recruitment to worksite and from the worksite back to the point of recruitment will be arranged and provided by Employer. Employer will reimburse worker for subsistence costs during travel to worksite no later than the end of the first pay period and from the worksite at the end of the job based on rates established in the applicable regulations.

Experience wanted: 3 months

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