Stewardship Manager

STEWARDSHIP MANAGER

The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC) owns over 13,500 acres in Waller and Harris Counties, including a majority interest in the Warren Ranch, a 6,004-acre ranch in northwest Harris County. These lands are part of the historic Katy Prairie, a prairie wetland complex that supports migratory birds, other wildlife, cattle production, and farming operations.
The Stewardship Manager oversees CPC’s rangelands, farmlands (including the Warren Ranch), and natural areas, ensuring that working lands advance conservation, agricultural, and public benefit objectives. The Stewardship Manager reports to the Public Preserves and Outreach Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Land Management and Stewardship:

• Develop and implement annual stewardship and land management plans for CPC-owned lands in coordination with the Public Preserves and Outreach Director and in alignment with budget priorities and natural resource values.
• Coordinate habitat and land management activities, including invasive species control, prescribed fire, wetland management, native grassland restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement, agricultural operations, and other activities that support conservation and flood resilience objectives.
• Monitor land conditions and recommend management actions to improve ecological health, agricultural productivity, and resilience.
• Coordinate with the Warren Ranch Cattle Manager and other lessees to ensure grazing and farming operations are consistent with CPC stewardship objectives and best management practices.
• Identify land stewardship needs, priorities, and costs to support responsible long-term management
• Maintain agricultural-use and wildlife-management tax valuations and related records for CPC- owned properties.

Conservation Programs and Grants:

• Apply for and manage conservation cost-share and farm incentive programs, including CGRIP, NRCS programs (EQIP, CSP), FSA programs, and other funding opportunities as available.
• Maintain records and documentation related to agricultural operations, grants, permits, leases, and conservation programs.
• Assist with compliance, reporting, expense tracking, and reimbursement requests associated with grants, cost-share agreements, permits, and other funding sources.

Contractor and Vendor Management:

• Manage contractors, consultants, lessees, and service providers engaged in stewardship, agricultural, and infrastructure projects.
• Oversee project implementation to ensure work is completed on schedule and within budget.
• Negotiate and administer hunting, farming, and cattle grazing leases.

Infrastructure and Capital Improvements:

• Plan and oversee the maintenance and improvement of roads, fences, gates, water infrastructure, barns, equipment, and other facilities.
• Identify capital improvement needs, develop project budgets, schedule work, and track project expenses as approved in CPC’s annual budget.

Other Duties:

• Participate in outreach activities and special events that advance CPC’s mission.
• Perform administrative and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in rangeland ecology, agricultural or natural resource management, wildlife biology, or a business-related field with an agricultural background preferred.
• Two to five years of experience in natural resource management, conservation land stewardship, ranch operations, agriculture, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Familiarity with USDA programs administered by the FSA and NRCS, or willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting, or willingness to learn.
• Understanding of coastal prairie ecosystems preferred.
• Experience with rangeland management and cattle operations preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with the public both verbally and in writing.
• Experience with common software applications (Word, Excel), Google Earth or other mapping platforms, and willingness to learn additional software.

Location and Physical Requirements:

• In person on the Katy Prairie, Texas.
• Willing to work in physically demanding conditions in all weather conditions to perform essential job duties.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required.

Compensation:

• Salary commensurate with experience; range $50,000 – $60,000.
• Health Insurance, Retirement Plan Contribution, paid vacation, and CPC holidays.
• As an exempt, salaried employee, no eligibility for overtime