Farmworker/Laborer

Work description

Temporary workers will perform duties related to sheep production and the maintenance and repair of agricultural equipment used in support of the sheep operation. Duties include, but are not limited to: Feed sheep according to established feeding schedules by distributing hay, silage, mineral supplements, and other approved feed rations. Monitor feed consumption and notify supervisors of changes in appetite or feeding behavior. Check and replenish water supplies to ensure sheep have continuous access to clean drinking water. Assist with flock management by moving sheep between designated pastures, holding areas, and handling facilities using accepted low-stress livestock handling practices. Assist with lambing activities by monitoring ewes nearing birth, reporting animals requiring assistance, identifying newborn lambs, and performing routine post-lambing tasks as directed by the supervisor. Assist with docking, tagging, weighing, sorting, and counting sheep when required. Observe sheep daily for signs of illness, injury, parasites, or abnormal behavior and promptly report concerns to supervisory personnel. Assist with the administration of vaccinations, deworming treatments, medications, and mineral supplementation under the direction of the employer or designated livestock manager. Collect deceased animals and transport them to designated mortality disposal areas in accordance with farm procedures. Workers will inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform routine servicing on agricultural equipment used in the sheep operation, including tractors, skid steers, utility vehicles, trailers, feed wagons, manure spreaders, portable generators, and other agricultural machinery. Duties include changing engine oil and filters, replacing hydraulic and fuel filters, lubricating moving components, checking and maintaining fluid levels, greasing bearings and fittings, inspecting belts, hoses, tires, batteries, lights, brakes, chains, and safety equipment, replacing worn or damaged parts, tightening hardware, repairing minor hydraulic leaks, maintaining fencing tools and livestock handling equipment, performing seasonal equipment servicing, cleaning equipment after use, maintaining maintenance records, organizing the farm maintenance shop, and notifying supervisors of repairs requiring specialized service. Workers will safely use hand tools, power tools, welders, cutting torches, jacks, hoists, pressure washers, and diagnostic equipment as needed to complete assigned maintenance tasks while following all applicable safety procedures. Workers will typically work 9 hours per day. During peak lambing periods, flock processing activities, or periods requiring significant equipment maintenance and repair, additional hours may be requested as permitted by applicable law. Workers may also be requested to work on Sundays as operational needs require; however, workers may take time off once per week to participate in the Sabbath.