Ranch & Resource Manager

Las Vegas Valley Water District•Ranch, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The ideal candidate for the Ranch & Resources Manager position is an experienced and forward-thinking agricultural and natural resource professional who thrives in large-scale, arid land ranching environments. They bring proven leadership in managing expansive ranching operations, ideally with experience overseeing properties of similar size and complexity to the Authority’s 950,000-acre ranch and farm in central eastern Nevada. They are proficient in the stewardship of irrigated agriculture and possess hands on expertise in managing diversified livestock operations, including purebred Angus cow calf herds and commercial sheep programs. This candidate has deep familiarity with public lands grazing systems, including BLM and Forest Service allotments, and understands the operational, ecological, and regulatory dynamics of grazing livestock in arid and high desert landscapes. They can effectively navigate the intricacies of range management, water availability, drought adaptation, herd health, forage utilization, and compliance with federal and state land use requirements. They also bring strong business and industry acumen, with a solid understanding of agricultural commodities, livestock markets, feed economics, and seasonal cycles that influence ranch profitability and long-term planning. Their decisions reflect a careful balance of operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, and financial sustainability. The ideal candidate excels at building relationships with internal staff, ranch hands, grazing permit administrators, neighboring landowners, contractors, and agency partners. They are a clear communicator and a steady leader capable of motivating teams across remote operations. Their work style reflects SNWA’s values of integrity, respect, excellence, and sustainability, and they consistently demonstrate sound judgment when making decisions that affect water resources, land conditions, and operational outcomes. The ideal is committed to responsible land and livestock management that aligns with the Authority’s broader mission of long-term resource stewardship. They are innovative, adaptable, and ready to lead a ranching enterprise that anchors critical regional resource objectives while maintaining high operational standards across one of the largest and most unique ranch properties in the state. GENERAL PURPOSE Under general direction, plans, manages, directs and administers livestock, grazing and agricultural operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)’s Great Basin Ranch: develops and implements safe and environmentally sound ranching and agricultural production practices that maintain and place SNWA water rights to beneficial use; ensures that ranch management practices support SNWA’s environmental management and wildlife habitat objectives; represents SNWA and promotes positive working relationships with regulatory agencies, other ranchers, agents and community partners; and performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in ranch management, livestock production, agribusiness or a related field; and at least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing or supervising a large ranching operation; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
A valid Nevada driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
Ability to plan, manage, direct, coordinate and evaluate large-scale, complex ranching and farming programs and operations, including livestock breeding and crop selection, production and sales.
Ability to collaborate with managers and staff in a variety of disciplines to profitably operate ranching activities while ensuring the protection and beneficial use of SNWA water rights and the conformance with environmental protection requirements.
Ability to analyze and evaluate short and long-term issues including weather patterns, livestock and crop statistics and commodity market pricing to make strategic decisions on ranching operations.
Ability to understand, interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local law, regulations and court decisions applicable to areas of responsibility.
Ability to work collaboratively with District/SNWA management and external stakeholders and provide expert advice and counsel on solutions to complex ranch operational issues.
Ability to organize, set priorities and exercise expert independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
Ability to develop and implement appropriate management and operational procedures and controls.
Ability to identify and ensure prompt resolution of safety issues and hazardous conditions.
Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive records, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Ability to negotiate effectively on behalf of SNWA and represent the organization clearly, logically and persuasively in public meetings and interactions with other ranchers, agents and representatives of state and federal agencies.
Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential issues and situations.
Ability to establish and maintain highly effective working relationships with SNWA managers and staff, other ranchers, agents, vendors, suppliers, the community, state and federal officials and others encountered in the course of work.
Knowledge of principles and practices of business and financial management applicable to ranching and farming operations.
Knowledge of principles, practices, methods and techniques of ranch management including grazing systems, livestock (cattle and sheep) production, breeding programs, animal health and feeding and low-stress livestock handling.
Knowledge of principles, practices, methods and techniques of agribusiness including crop selection, production, nutrient management and irrigation, crop harvesting, pest control and storage.
Knowledge of techniques and equipment used in planting, growing, and harvesting agricultural products.
Knowledge of operations of commodity markets as they apply to the planning for and sales of ranch and farm products.
Knowledge of general principles and practices of environmental resources management and wildlife and habitat conservation and protection.
Knowledge of state and federal regulatory and permitting requirements, policies and procedures applicable to ranch operations.
Knowledge of standard principles, tools and techniques of project management.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration including budgeting, purchasing and maintenance of public records.
Knowledge of principles, methods and techniques of strategic planning.
Knowledge of staff scheduling methods and techniques applicable to ranch and farming operations.
Knowledge of principles and practices of effective business and marketing communications.
Knowledge of principles and practices of risk management applicable to ranching and farming operations.
Knowledge of District safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.
Knowledge of principles and practices of effective management and supervision.
Knowledge of District human resource policies and labor contract provisions.

Nice To Haves

A Certification in Advanced Ranch Management or an advanced degree in a relevant field is highly desirable but not required.
The ability to speak fluent, colloquial Spanish is desirable.
In some emergency circumstances, duties may require a Commercial driver's license with any applicable required endorsements.

Responsibilities

Plans, manages, directs and administers livestock, grazing and agricultural operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)’s Great Basin Ranch.
Develops and implements safe and environmentally sound ranching and agricultural production practices that maintain and place SNWA water rights to beneficial use.
Ensures that ranch management practices support SNWA’s environmental management and wildlife habitat objectives.
Represents SNWA and promotes positive working relationships with regulatory agencies, other ranchers, agents and community partners.
Performs related duties as assigned.