- Agency
- Shield Land Stewardship Group
- Location
- Shield Ranch Barton Creek (near Austin, Texas)
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- $625/week
- Start Date
- 01/01/2024
- Last Date to Apply
- 10/20/2023
- Website
- http://www.shieldranch.com
- Description
- The Opportunity Shield Ranch Barton Creek is located in southwestern Travis County. Located just 18 miles southwest of downtown Austin, we are a 6,400-acre historic district and wildland protected through conservation easements with The Nature Conservancy and the City of Austin. The Ranch has received numerous awards (including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Statewide Lone Star Land Steward Award) and has been widely recognized for its commitment to land stewardship, water quality, ecological diversity, outreach, and education. The Ranch has been in the Shield-Ayres family since 1938. Shield Land Stewardship Group, LLC is currently accepting applications for a 2024 Land Stewardship Technician at Shield Ranch Barton Creek near Austin, Texas. This is a full-time, term position lasting up to 12 months based on performance. This position will provide support to the Operations Manager and other staff in various aspects of conservation and land management. The technician will be part of the Shield Land Stewardship Group, LLC team focused on conservation, restoration, research, ranching, and outreach initiatives. Additionally, the technician will gain experience regarding practical land and natural resource management involving the maintenance and operation of a 6,400-acre property. Duties and Responsibilities Wildlife and Habitat Management o Conduct feral hog monitoring and control o Assist with biological inventories including white-tailed deer spotlight surveys, bobwhite quail spring whistle counts, seasonal bird surveys, and species inventories o Achieve brush management objectives with track loader using forestry drum mulcher and hydraulic shears o Assist in eradication of invasive woody and herbaceous species using herbicide and mechanical methods o Lead seasonal brown-headed cowbird trapping program o Assist with MLDP requirements including white-tailed deer harvest aging, measurement collection, and data recording o Maintain hunting blinds and feeders for use by owners and guests o Perform water quality monitoring and reports monthly o Assist with general year-round equine health monitoring, observing range conditions, and feeding during winter months Equipment, Infrastructure, and Property Management o Operate and maintain heavy equipment including: track loader, tractor, and dump trailer to conduct brush control, road repairs and other projects as needed o Operate UTVs, chainsaws, string trimmers, mowers, trailers, and other ranch equipment o Ability to perform routine maintenance on all ranch equipment o Assist with maintenance and repair to ranch infrastructure including fences, roads, barns, residences, and facilities o Maintain and improve water systems: rainwater collection, electric and solar wells, and wildlife/livestock troughs o Assist in maintenance of hiking trails o Provide site support for Shield Ranch Foundation programming • Other duties as assigned to support ranching, conservation, restoration, research, education, and outreach initiatives
- Qualifications
- Qualifications • Recent graduate with bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, conservation, wildlife management, environmental sciences or related field • Applicant must have graduated within the timeframe of December 2021 – December 2023 • Working knowledge and experience in land management is preferred • Previous experience with operating tractor and track loader is preferred • Basic handyman skills in carpentry, electrical, plumbing and infrastructure maintenance is preferred • Must be willing and able to safely operate gas powered equipment (UTV’s, chainsaw, string trimmer, etc.) and a variety of hand tools • Must be willing to work in all kinds of weather and in various natural habitats and ground conditions • Work will involve hiking uneven terrain and lifting and carrying up to 50-lbs occasionally • Experience using GPS and GIS software • Applicant must have positive attitude, strong work ethic, good communication skills, ability to multitask, and work cooperatively with others o Additional qualities include: highly motivated, self-starting, honest individual displaying sound judgment and pragmatic approach to decision-making • Applicant should display attentiveness to matters of safety, risk, and liability as well as sensitivity to security of ranch property • Must be able to work occasional weekends and holidays as necessary • Applicant must be competent in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and email • Successful candidates must maintain valid driver’s license Compensation and Benefits • Compensation is $625/week • Onsite housing and utilities are provided, including a business cell phone allowance • A high-clearance vehicle or UTV for accessing ranch roads is provided for work use only • Technician may submit for mileage reimbursement, at the current IRS rate, for any work-related errands performed with the technician’s personal vehicle • Start date is flexible How to Apply Please submit your resume, along with a cover letter and 3 references, via email with the subject line ‘Attn: Land Stewardship Technician’ to info@shieldranch.com. Deadline for application is October 20, 2023. Finalists are subject to criminal background check.
- Contact Person
- HR
- Contact eMail
- info@shieldranch.com
