TITLE:  Senior Program Manager- Grazing

DIVISION: Conservation

REPORTS TO: Director of Landscape Stewardship

LOCATION: Lewistown, MT

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

GROUP: Core

HOURS: Full-Time averaging 40 hours per week

BENEFITS:   

•     Paid Vacation
•     Paid National Holidays
•     Paid Sick Days
•     Paid Volunteer Hours
•     401K with up to 3% employer match
•     Medical Insurance with optional 
•     Flexible Savings or Health Savings Account &
•     Dependent Care Account
•     Short-term Disability Insurance
•     Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, Critical Illness, & Accident Insurance 
•     Reserve Lodging Perks
•     Corporate Discounts
•     Flexible Scheduling

JOB PURPOSE: The Senior Program Manger- Grazing is responsible for the overall management of livestock grazing operations on American Prairie’s deeded and leased lands including the development and implementation of grazing plans, monitoring of rangeland and habitat health and forage, relationship management with lessees and completion of the administrative tasks related to American Prairie’s grazing lease programs.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:

50% Grazing Planning and Management

• Design, develop and implement adaptive, prescriptive grazing plans for American Prairie leased and deeded lands in accordance with management and conservation objectives. 
• Recognize and incorporate relevant grazing goals and knowledge of lessees into plans.
• Contribute to strategic direction for the future growth and evolution of the grazing program in coordination with the Director of Landscape Stewardship
• Complete annual assessments of infrastructure, including fences, water sources and other infrastructure related to grazing and leases. 
• Maintain regular and consistent contact with grazing lessees to build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships.
• Communicate grazing schedules, stocking rates, and grazing rotations with lessees and agency partners.
• Facilitate clear communication regarding lease terms, stewardship expectations, and monitoring results.
• Support outreach to prospective lessees when vacancies occur.
• Attend trainings, continuing education, conferences and meetings as needed.     

40% Lease Administration and Compliance 

• Conduct field assessments to monitor rangeland health, stocking rates, forage availability, livestock distribution, carrying capacity, and water resources.
• Further develop the rangeland health monitoring program: including vegetation surveys and grazing utilization assessments, documentation of number and location of livestock and the date/season they are occupying the pasture/allotment.
• Track and report grazing program metrics to internal leadership, and partners as needed.
• Serve as the first point of contact for all incoming lessee related inquiries and requests.
• Manage all administrative functions associated with grazing leases, including lease drafting, renewals, billing, compliance tracking, and record keeping.
• Ensure compliance with State and Federal agency processes, standards, rules and regulations. 
• Ensure adherence to lease agreements.

10% Community and Stakeholder Relations

• Provide property tours and act as a representative of American Prairie to guests, donors, media and representatives of agencies as needed. 
• Meet with and maintain positive relationships with neighbors and surrounding communities.
• Collaborate with other producers, NGO’s, working groups, and monitoring networks where appropriate. 
• Serve as liaison between lessees and other staff as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required 

• Enthusiasm for and positive representation of American Prairie’s mission, values, goals, and culture.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Rangeland Management, Natural Resources, Wildlife, Agronomy, Ecology, or a closely related field. 
• Five to eight years of professional experience in grazing management, rangeland management, ranch management, extension services, stewardship services or agricultural operations.
• Strong knowledge of sustainable livestock grazing practices, forage management, and rangeland monitoring techniques.
• Experience working collaboratively with agricultural producers, lessees, landowners, and conservation partners.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, navigate complex land management conversations, and represent the organization effectively with landowners, agency partners, and executive stakeholders. 
• Proficiency in GIS, mapping tools, and monitoring protocols. 
• Knowledge of flora of Eastern Montana.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently. 
• Ability to follow safety and compliance guidelines and policy. 
• Proficient use of technology tools including Microsoft officeGoogle Workspace, and Apple operating systems; comfortable learning new platforms to support data management, collaboration, and reporting.
• Ability to travel to the field on a regular basis and as needed. 
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be comfortable traveling by vehicle in remote areas in a variety of weather conditions year-round. 
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain). 
• Walking or hiking long distances across uneven terrain or steep slopes. 
• Ability to lift, carry, and handle heavy equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• Manual dexterity to use tools, equipment, and machinery with precision in field conditions. 
• Balance and coordination to work safely in slippery, muddy, or uneven areas. 
• Ability to climb, bend, crouch, kneel, and reach overhead while working. 
• Ability and willingness to drive long distances alone in remote areas and safely navigate dangerous road conditions including poorly maintained roads, “gumbo” mud, and snow/ice.  
• Ability to operate ATVs and UTVs
• Driver’s license and acceptable driving record. 

Preferred

• Education, training, and/or certificates in sustainable grazing, including  ranching for profit school and integral range management and conservation.      
• Familiarity and knowledge with the principles of “rewilding”.
• Familiarity and knowledge of range riding. 
• Familiarity with low stress stockmanship.  
• Familiarity with local area, politics and government agencies. 
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and tribal land managers.
• Experience working in collaborative, community-based conservation or multi-stakeholder initiatives. 
• Familiarity with project management tools like Wrike. 
• Familiarity with Federal and State Agency processes, regulations and livestock grazing programs. 
• Knowledge of Montana ecosystems and livestock production systems.
• Wilderness First Aid Certification and CPR

Interested candidates should click the 'APPLY TO THIS POSITON' icon to submit your resume and cover letter.