Winter Range Livestock Herder

About the Role

This position involves attending to livestock on the range and ranch during the winter season in various locations across Uinta, Lincoln, and Sweetwater Counties, WY. The role requires availability up to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, with the majority of workdays spent on the range or ranch.

Responsibilities

• Administer emergency minor medical care to sick/injured pregnant animals using roping methods to gently immobilize animals without causing undue stress.
• Assist with hauling water when winter and drought conditions eliminate natural sources of water for livestock.
• Provide supplemental feeding when weather or forage quality precludes use of range forage.
• Break ice over frozen water sources to ensure livestock access to water.
• Detect wind and storm directions to keep livestock gathered and safe.
• Use winter tracking methods to monitor other ranchers' livestock movements and avoid overgrazing.
• Feed, water, and tend to guard dogs, working dogs, and horses.
• Guard against predators using appropriate tracking, trapping, and hunting methods.
• Herd livestock to appropriate grazing areas using winter trailing methods to minimize stress.
• Intensely monitor and treat both mother and young animals vulnerable to cold temperatures and sickness.
• Maintain and set up supply wagons to provide windbreaks, shelter, and protection for horses and dogs.
• Melt snow to provide sufficient water for horses and dogs at camp.
• Move pregnant livestock at a pace ensuring ample water and forage during daylight hours.
• Operate camp stoves to provide and conserve heat in extreme cold and high winds.
• Properly hobble camp horses and store food supplies for herder, horses, and dogs.
• Repair and maintain fences and facilities to ensure the safety and health of animals and forage.
• Report dehydration, deterioration in body condition, behavioral changes, and malnutrition to the rancher.
• Report on water, forage, and weather conditions to the rancher.
• Use proper animal husbandry skills to prevent hypothermia, abortion, and death.
• Assist in the maintenance of tools, equipment, and handling facilities necessary for livestock production.
• Ride and handle horses safely to ensure the well-being of the worker, co-workers, and livestock.
• Work with farm machinery such as tractors for supplemental feeding and ATVs for livestock movement.
• Maintain and manage remote housing locations safely and responsibly.

Requirements

• Willingness to perform tasks capably and efficiently without close supervision.
• Ability to live and work alone or in small groups in isolated areas for extended periods.
• Capability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including exposure to herding hazards such as predators and poisonous snakes.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and drive as needed.
• Required to live on the ranch or range, potentially moving between housing sites as work requires.

Provided Equipment and Supplies

• All tools, supplies, and equipment necessary for handling, treating, moving, and protecting livestock.
• Work clothing, footwear, and safety gear appropriate for weather conditions and job duties.
• Bedding gear and supplies for maintaining clean and sanitary housing conditions.
• Effective electronic communication means (e.g., cellphones) for work and emergency purposes.
• Regular pre-scheduled visits (at least every 7 days) if electronic communication is unavailable.