Land Steward at Camp Wood

Shield Ranch; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Housing and utilities provided

Cell phone allowance

Workers’ compensation insurance

Job summary

Shield Ranch invites a dedicated Land Steward to oversee day-to-day management of a large, conservation-focused property in southwest Real County, Texas. The role reports to the Director of Land Stewardship and supports conservation, restoration, and wildlife research initiatives.

The position requires extensive ranch operations experience, ability to live on-site, and proficiency in trades and maintenance. Housing, benefits, and a strong commitment to conservation accompany a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of ranching operations and land/natural resources management experience.
• Willingness to live full- or part-time on the Ranch in a remote, rural environment.
• Proficient in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, water system repairs, and welding.
• Experience operating ranch vehicles, tractors, skid steers, UTVs, trailers, sprayers, chainsaws, lawn mowers, and other small equipment.
• Experience managing a lease hunting operation and livestock or agricultural operation.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain ranch equipment including tractors and mowers.
• Maintain fences, roads, water systems, and housing structures.
• Assist with wildlife habitat management and conservation projects.
• Supervise interns and temporary labor; coordinate with contractors.
• Manage annual budget and keep accurate records of activities.
• Coordinate access for contractors, researchers, and guests.

Skills

Ranch operations

Land and wildlife resources management

Remote, rural work environment

Communication and teamwork

Education

High school diploma

College degree or relevant training preferred

Tools

Outlook

Microsoft Word

Excel

GPS unit

Job description

Shield Ranch Camp Wood is a 7,400-acre property located in southwest Real County near the town of Camp Wood, Texas. The Shield-Ayres-Bowen family has stewarded this land since 1947. In recent years, conservation and wildlife management have been the property’s primary focus. Shield Ranch Camp Wood is home to several rare and endangered plant and animal species. To protect this unique property, the majority of the Ranch was placed under conservation easements, and these protected acres comprise a conservation bank established to protect black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler habitat.

The Land Steward will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the property and be part of the Shield Land Stewardship Group, LLC team focused on conservation, restoration, wildlife management, and research initiatives. This position will report to the Director of Land Stewardship.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ranch Infrastructure and Equipment Maintenance and Repair

• o Operate skid loader, tractor, mowers, and other ranch equipment
• oPerform routine maintenance on ranch vehicles and equipment
• oPerform basic handyman services, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, welding, and mechanical
• oMaintain and improve road system (routine maintenance of creek crossings, culverts on entrance road, and keep roads clear of brush)
• oMaintain fences in collaboration with neighboring landowners

Landscape and Facilities Maintenance and Repair

• oMaintain and repairallhouses, barns,andoutbuildings
• oPerform upgrades and new construction of necessary ranch infrastructure (water system, buildings, barns)
• oMaintain native landscapes around residencesandstructures, including mowing, string trimming, weeding, pest control, and plantings
• oMaintain and repair ranch water systems for residential useandwildlife (entirely spring-fed)
• oMaintain landscape irrigation systems
• oPrepare houses before and after overnight visitors, including overseeing housekeeping of family residences

Wildlife and Habitat Management

• oAssist with management of huntingoperations
• Interface with lease hunters, TPWD biologist,andgamewarden
• Conduct deer density and browse surveys, assist with determining harvest recommendations, maintain harvest data,andprepare MLDP reports
• Interface withandassist owners, staff,andguesthunters
• oConduct mechanical and chemical brush control and assist with prescribed burns
• oConductcontrol offeral hogs(shootingandtrapping)andremovingexoticungulates
• oConduct annual cowbird control
• oConduct control of invasive plantspecies
• oManage ponds for fishing, swimming,andconservationvalues
• oInteract and assist conservation professionals working on the Ranch (floraandfauna surveys, wildlife census, research,etc.)
• oAssist with black-capped vireo nestmonitoring
• oConduct data collection andmonitoring

PropertyManagement

• oManage access to ranch by contractors,utilitycrews,researchers,andguests
• oMonitor property and respond to incidents oftrespass
• oMaintain good relations with adjoiningandareapropertyowners
• oWildfire readiness and preparation

Supervisory

• oSupervise collegeintern and temporary labor
• o Oversee contract work and service providers (fence, road, brush control, repairs and renovations tostructures)
• oSupervise new construction projects when necessary

Administration

• oParticipate in development of annualbudget
• oManage expenses within parameters of ranchbudget
• oMaintain journal with thorough and accurate records (rainfall, documentation of management activities,etc.)

Qualifications

• Prefer five years of experience with ranching operations and land/natural resources management
• Desire toliveand work in a remote, rural environment (must live full- or part-time on the Ranch)
• Proficient in basic carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, water system repairs, andwelding
• Experience with operation, maintenance, and repair of ranch vehicles, tractors, skid steers, UTVs, trailers, sprayers, chainsaws, lawn mowers,andother smallequipment
• Experience managing a lease huntingoperation
• Experience managing livestock or agricultural operation
• Experience managing or supervising construction projects
• Interest inandcommitment to Shield Ranch conservationobjectives
• Passionandexperience supporting wildlife and conservation management practices (gameandnon-gamespecies)
• Personable and able to relate well with owners, other employees, hunters, neighbors, conservation professionals, researchers, guests,etc.
• Proficientinthe use of Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel,andGPSunit
• Physical ability to lift 80lbs
• Valid Texas driver’slicense
• Mustbeabletooccasionallyworknightsandweekendswhen required
• Education
  • High school diploma
  • College degree or some post-secondary education or job-related training preferred
• Finalistsmustconsenttocriminal backgroundanddrivingrecordchecks

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range of $58,000 — $65,000. Position is full timeandincludes health insurance, retirement plan, and paid timeoff
• Workers’ compensationinsurance
• Housing (3-bedroom, 2-bath: approximately 2,400 sq.ft.) and utilities provided (water, electricity, propane, and internet)
• Business cell phoneallowance