Winter Range Sheepherder

in Gem County, ID

Job Description

Dates of Need: 11/1/2026-3/31/2027

Position Summary

Peterson Sheep Company is seeking experienced Winter Range Sheepherders to care for and protect livestock during the winter grazing season. More than 51% of the work will be performed on the range. The position requires experience managing large flocks in extreme winter conditions and the ability to work independently while living in employer-provided range housing.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• At least 3 months of experience working with flocks of approximately 800–1,000 head.
• One professional or employment reference is required.
• Experience handling sheep and other livestock in extreme winter range conditions.
• Ability to recognize approaching storms and take preventive action to keep livestock from drifting against fences or becoming trapped in snow.
• Ability to monitor livestock nutrition, water availability, snow conditions, and overall herd health throughout the winter.
• Ability to work safely and responsibly with livestock, horses, and working dogs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Winter Range Sheepherder will:

• Monitor sheep throughout the winter grazing season and protect the flock from severe weather, snow, predators, and other hazards.
• Ensure livestock have access to adequate, unfrozen drinking water.
• Provide emergency supplemental feed when range forage is insufficient.
• Monitor snow levels and take action to prevent sheep and goats from becoming trapped or immobilized.
• Identify livestock showing signs of inadequate nutrition or other health problems.
• Provide and maintain water supplies, including minor maintenance of troughs and water lines and, when necessary, hauling water by truck.
• Move and disperse livestock to prevent overcrowding and promote successful ewe-and-lamb bonding.
• Protect vulnerable livestock, including lambs and ewes in labor, from predators.
• Move pregnant ewes to lambing grounds.
• Recognize signs of labor and identify potential lambing complications.
• Assist with difficult births, safely restrain ewes when necessary, and graft orphan lambs to mothers.
• Identify herd-health issues such as malnutrition, prolapse, and mastitis.
• Assist with branding, castration, vaccination, tagging, and deworming.
• Safely catch lambs using a hook.
• Move ewes and lambs between seasonal range locations.
• Assist with portable-fence movement and perform general fence repairs.
• Assist with lambing, docking, and shearing as needed.

Working Conditions

This is a demanding outdoor position involving extended work in winter range conditions. The employee must be capable of responding to extreme cold, snow, storms, freezing temperatures, and changing livestock needs. The position may require being on call up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Some duties may occur off the range, but more than 51% of the work will be performed on the range. Employees are expected to practice responsible animal husbandry and may be terminated for abuse, neglect, or abandonment of livestock entrusted to their care.

Housing and Meals

Employer-provided range housing is available. Housing may include mobile range units that move with workers to different range locations, as well as a fixed-site range unit. The job order states that housing is sufficient for the workers requested and will be provided at no charge.

Workers will have free and convenient cooking facilities and will receive three prepared meals per day or adequate food at no charge to prepare their own meals. Potable water will also be provided.