Montana

Position Title: Matador Ranch Manager 

Organization: The Nature Conservancy

Location: Montana

Organization Overview: The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. A science-based organization, that develops innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. The Nature Conservancy’s work is guided by values, including a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. 

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. They recognize that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, and take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in job postings. 

Position Overview: The Matador Ranch Manager in Montana directs Matador Ranch preserve operations, including the Matador Grassbank, ecological land management, and maintenance on the Matador Ranch. This position requires an enthusiastic, self-starting, people-friendly, team-oriented person eager to perform hard physical work, often under adverse or inclement conditions.  This position is based out of Matador Ranch Preserve, located 35 miles south of Malta, Montana.  This is an exempt, full-time permanent position supervised by the Montana Grasslands Conservation Director. This position requires that you live on the Conservancy property known as the Matador Ranch, in the house the Conservancy owns on this property. 

Duties:

• The manager is responsible for the ecological management of the preserve, including developing and implementing yearly grazing management plans to meet habitat goals, restoration of upland and riparian systems, treatment and monitoring of invasive species, and the hunting access program.
• Oversee all aspects of grazing and haying leases, including creation of leases, management of public land leases, tracking cattle numbers and grazing use, hay harvest, compliance with lease provisions, and billing.
• Oversee all communications of the Matador Grassbank, including organizing meetings and calls, working with Grassbank Members, and presenting outcomes of the Grassbank to diverse audiences.
• Coordinate with the Northern Great Plains Land Steward in the collection of Grassbank Member ecological data used for discounts and for management decisions on the Matador Ranch.
• Oversee and participate in the maintenance and operation of ranch improvements (fences, corrals, livestock water, and irrigation operations), ranch equipment, buildings, and grounds.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with the local community for the Matador Ranch and also participate and support fundraising related activities and other outreach events.
• Budgeting, monitoring expenses, purchasing supplies, and completing administrative duties and providing supervision or oversight of the Matador Ranch Hand, seasonal staff, volunteers, and contractors.  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.  
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists. 
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience in training.                   
• Must have valid driver’s license. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of land management conservation practice and conservation science, especially as it relates to grassland management.
• Ability to identify plants and animals of the Great Plains. 
• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation. 
• Experience in the use of GIS highly preferred

Salary: $61,000

Application Deadline: April 16, 11:59 p.m. EST

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.