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Position Title: Bison Division Manager
Name of Ranch/Business: Vermejo Park Ranch
Location: Raton, New Mexico
Position Description: At 585,000 acres, Vermejo Park Ranch is one of the largest privately-owned ranches in North America. Its modern history as a
ranch originates from the Beaubien and Miranda Land Grant of 1841. Vermejo Park is well-known for its trophy big game hunting, fishing, adventure and nature tourism, natural resources stewardship, Castle Rock bison herd, sustainable forestry, coalbed natural gas production, and endangered species restoration. If you seek a challenging and rewarding opportunity to manage bison in a beautiful remote setting, please visit our online job posting at https://tedturnerreserves.com/ >Click on Careers at the bottom of the page.
The Bison Manager at Vermejo Park Ranch is responsible for all aspects of bison management on the Ranch including the welfare of the genetically unique Castle Rock bison herd, developing and managing of the Bison Division budget, grazing and range management, drought planning, and oversight of Vermejo’s Southern Headquarters at the historic WS Ranch. The Castle Rock Herd consists of approximately 500 bison mother cows, with a total of approximately 1400 bison at any given time. The bison manager will assure that low-stress stockmanship is observed at all times, by all employees working with bison. This position will report to Vermejo’s Ranch Manager and coordinate bison operations with Turner Ranch management in Bozeman, Montana.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed
below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Education/Experience: Employee must have ten years or greater experience working on ranches and with livestock, range, and grazing management background. A bachelor degree in Range Science, Agricultural Business, Farm & Ranch Management, or related degree is preferred. Must have High School or equivalent degree.
- Language and Computer Skills: Ability to receive instructions and give verbal reports in English. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals in English. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence in English. Use of computers for E-mail, Word processing and data entry into Excel Spreadsheets. Spanish language skills are beneficial.
- Reasoning Ability: Candidate must have the ability to diagnose and solve practical and logistical problems with equipment repair and also have the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Successful applicant must possess a valid New Mexico class C Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment. Driving record must meet the eligibility requirements of the TEI liability insurance carrier. Employee will be required to sign a confidentiality statement and undergo a background check.
- General: Candidate must be self-motivated, flexible and work well with others as a team player in the natural resources division, and be able to work long hours with minimal supervision.
Responsibilities:
- Assure for the welfare of the Castle Rock bison herd
- Manage annual Bison Works to vaccinate, pregnancy check, sort, and properly identify all Vermejo bison assuring that low-stress
livestock handling is being observed at all times - Conduct on-ranch bison backgrounding and/or feeding operations to prepare animals for commercial feedlot finishing or shipping directly to slaughter
- Coordinate bison feedlot placements and slaughter arrangements
- Coordinate bison trucking
- Order and receive feed and mineral deliveries
- Maintain the bison tracking database and assure that all animals have proper identification
- Annually prepare and manage the Bison Division budget
- Complete all required reporting for the Bison Division, including monthly report for management and regular herd reporting
required by Turner Ranch Management - Develop a bison grazing plan based on range monitoring and herd requirements. Track and record bison grazing utilization.
- Participate with Vermejo’s Natural Resource Division to conduct range management
- Maintain fencing necessary for bison operations including perimeter, pasture, corral and high fence
- Assure that all Bison Division infrastructure and equipment are properly maintained
- Coordinate with the Natural Resources Division Manger regarding the maintenance of windmill and solar wells for stock water
- Assist Natural Resources Division with collection and compiling of weather data
- Oversee operations at Vermejo’s WS Headquarters in Cimarron, NM
- Operate heavy equipment as needed
- Maintain a clean and safe working environment
- Conduct regular safety meetings and assure for a safe working environment
- Recruiting, hiring, and supervising employees as needed and budgeted within the Bison department
- Maintain regular and open communication with Ranch Management
- Other duties as assigned by Ranch Management
Supervisory Responsibilities: The Bison Manager will manage a crew of 1-4 full time employees and seasonal employees in the Bison Division. Additionally, the Bison Manager will supervise up to 10 people during annual bison works and at other times required for bison operations.
To Apply: Visit the job listing webpage here and follow application instructions.