About the position
This position is for a Sheepherder under the H-2A program, which allows U.S. employers to bring foreign workers to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. The job is located in Clovis, CA, and involves working with sheep, particularly during the birthing season. The contract period for this position is from October 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, with a total of 8 openings available. The anticipated weekly hours are extensive, as the schedule is 24/7, reflecting the nature of the work involved in managing sheep and assisting with lambing duties. The position requires a minimum of 3 months of experience in birthing ewes, particularly with flocks of 600 head or larger, and preference is given to those with experience managing 800-1000 head. A driver's license is preferred, and one reference is required for application. The primary responsibilities include moving pregnant ewes to birthing fields, identifying and sorting ewes based on their pregnancy status, and assisting with difficult births. The Sheepherder will also be responsible for monitoring the health of the ewes and lambs, administering necessary vaccinations and medications, and ensuring that lambs are nursing effectively. Maintaining clean lambing pens and providing adequate feed and water during the lambing period are also critical tasks. The role involves constructing and maintaining temporary fencing systems to ensure proper grazing and animal welfare, as well as managing sheep on the range to prevent overcrowding and protect them from predators. The worker will live in employer-provided housing, which must be clean and in good repair. The employer will provide necessary tools and equipment for the job, including working dogs, fencing materials, and communication devices. The employer is also responsible for providing meals or cooking facilities, transportation to and from the work site, and workers' compensation insurance as required by law. The job emphasizes the importance of animal welfare and good husbandry practices, with strict policies against neglect or abuse of the animals.
Responsibilities
- Move pregnant ewes to birthing fields and pastures.
- Identify and sort heavy pregnant ewes from late pregnant ewes and separate groups accordingly.
- Identify animals for signs/symptoms of potential labor complications.
- Assist with difficult births, including constraining animals and assisting in lamb delivery.
- Examine and identify animals for signs of illness related to gestation/delivery and administer vaccines and medications.
- Help with unloading mothers and babies and ensure lambs are with the correct ewe and nursing effectively.
- Maintain clean lambing pens and provide feed and water to sheep during the lambing period.
- Assist in tagging, vaccinating, worming, and castration of sheep.
- Move family groups into the field and assist with lambs losing their mothers.
- Construct, deconstruct, and maintain temporary and mobile fencing systems for grazing.
- Provide water to sheep and assist with minor maintenance of water systems.
- Manage sheep on the range to reduce overcrowding and increase maternal/offspring bonding.
- Protect vulnerable sheep from predators by managing and feeding Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD).
- Occasionally transport mothers and babies between lambing locations.
- Assist with loading and unloading sheep in trailers.
Requirements
- 3 months of experience birthing ewes with flocks of 600 head or larger.
- Working experience with 800-1000 head is preferred.
- Driver's license is preferred.
- One reference required.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with animal husbandry practices.
- Knowledge of sheep health issues and treatments.
- Ability to operate farm vehicles and equipment.
Benefits
- Free housing provided by the employer.
- Three meals a day or free cooking facilities.
- Transportation between employer's housing and work site.
- Workers' compensation insurance provided as required by law.
