Trout Creek Ranch Grazing Lead

Classification: Full-time/Exempt
Compensation: $55K-$67K DOQ with medical/dental, retirement benefits, generous vacation/leave. Housing, required transportation, and equipment are also provided.

Application Deadline: Open until filled

About Oregon Desert Land Trust
The Oregon Desert Land Trust (ODLT) was formed in 2017 and works with landowners, Tribes, land managers and other partners to conserve private land throughout the region. These wild and working lands are critical to ecological, economic and community health.

Oregon’s high desert is characterized by small towns and working ranches scattered among mountains, rivers, and canyons. Like other areas in the West, the region is experiencing turnover in land ownership driven in part by inter-generational shifts in the ranching sector and increasing demand for recreational properties. With support from volunteers with decades of experience in real estate, law, ranching, business, and conservation science, as well as our relationships with landowners and knowledge of the region, the Land Trust has already conserved nearly 20,000 acres.

ODLT is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and voices.

Position Summary
The Trout Creek Ranch (TCR) Grazing Lead will work with the TCR Ranch Manager, other ODLT staff, grazing lessees and co-permittees, The Nature Conservancy, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to develop and implement TCR’s Collaborative Grazing Program. In addition to managing the grazing program at Trout Creek Ranch, the Grazing Lead will participate in The Nature Conservancy’s multi-state Sagebrush Sea network, sharing knowledge gained at Trout Creek Ranch with other participants and bringing knowledge gained on other projects back to Trout Creek Ranch.

Key Responsibilities

• Works with ODLT staff and partners to develop and implement the Trout Creek Ranch collaborative grazing program and plan, including a virtual fence demonstration project.
• Participates in the Nature Conservancy’s Sagebrush Sea Virtual Fence network, including regular virtual meetings or conference calls and semi-annual travel.
• Collaborates with grazing lessee(s), co-permittees, neighbors, and the BLM to improve, maintain, and repair fences, corrals, and livestock watering facilities.
• Collects and manages field data to track operations and management impacts in partnership with lessees, TNC and BLM.
• Coordinates with the TCR Restoration Manager to incorporate grazing program input on habitat restoration and enhancement projects.
• Works with the Ranch Manager to identify and secure appropriate equipment for grazing operations.
• Assists the TCR Restoration Manager with mapping, control, and monitoring of invasive and noxious plant species.
• Helps monitor property boundaries and safely addresses livestock trespass.

Desired Qualifications

The qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experience. Below we’ve described important qualifications for a candidate but we recognize the diversity of experiences that can create these skill sets. We strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have what it takes to thrive as ODLT’s Trout Creek Ranch Grazing Lead.

• Degree in and/or related experience in range management, similar field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with natural systems and ecological land management principles.
• Experience creating and implementing management plans.
• Experience operating and/or repairing various types of farm/ranch equipment and
• machinery.
• Ability to complete tasks independently and meet deadlines.
• Experience managing volunteers or entry-level staff.
• Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in grazing management,
• land management, natural resource conservation, and/or similar fields.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighter Type 2 or higher preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Working Environment

• Regularly required to hike through a variety of habitat types and terrain, walk over uneven ground, climb over obstacles, and access remote locations.
• Regularly sits or stands at a desk or computer workstation.
• Regularly required to operate a 4×4 vehicle (i.e. trucks and all-terrain vehicles).
• Work week is 40 hours per week but may require evening and weekend work and travel.
• Occasionally may be required to use or supervise the use of pesticides and or other
• chemical substances and to use or supervise the use of powered equipment such as weed trimmers and chainsaws.
• Occasionally lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.