Mosquito Park Enterprises LLC Seeks Rangeland/Wildlife Manager
Employer: Mosquito Park Enterprises LLC January 1, 2023
Job Title: Rangeland/Wildlife Manager
Location: Lyman County, Vivian, SD
Reports to: Christopher Seivert, Property Manager
Position Type: Full Time
Supervisory Position: Yes, possible 1-2 part- or full-time persons.
Housing: Will assist in locating housing.
MPE LLC SUMMARY
Mosquito Park Enterprises LLC operates in central South Dakota on approximately 5,500 acres that includes three small ranches, 3,500 acres with 90 paddocks and 2,000 acres of wildlife area, hay, and farm ground. We are located in and around the Fort Pierre National Grasslands. The farming operation is custom farmed.
Rangelands are rotationally grazed, at a fast pace during the growing season and slower during the slow growth time year around. Goal is to improve land health and diversity through innovative grazing practices.
Wildlife areas require management, mowing, burning, haying and innovation to improve the quality for wildlife.
LOCATION
Central SD, 30 miles south of Pierre, SD, north of I-90, 8 miles west of Presho, near the village of Vivian, SD.Vivian is noted for its fancy Coffee Cup Truck Stop, with grocery stores in Presho, Kennebec and Murdo.K-12 schools located in Pierre/Ft Pierre, Murdo, and Presho with limited bus services.
Nearby Pierre/Ft. Pierre has full range of medical, vision and dental health providers, as well as merchants for clothing, household, grocery, agricultural and farm supplies. Both cities have many restaurant options. Air travel is possible with direct flights to Denver.
EDUCATION
Bachelors of Science in one of the following is preferred;
Rangeland management, natural resource management, or wildlife management.
PRIMARY AREAS
Operational Coordination and Leadership for Ranch and Wildlife areas
- Communicate closely with Property Manager on coordination of day-to-day operations.
- Contribute to ranch planning and execution of plan.
- Develop short and long termWild Life Area plans and execution.
- Work with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and other agencies.
Rotational Grazing
- Lead grazing plan, with assistance from the property manager.
- Execution of grazing plan. Including livestock handling and maintenance.
- Facilitate and conduct range monitoring.
- Maintaining accurate grazing, animal inventory records and daily pasture check sheets.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Position Summary
A large portion of your time will be spent in the field on ranch and wildlife projects. You will work directly with the Property Manager in developing goals and strategies for overall ranch and wildlife operations including grazing and range management, haying operation, WLA food plots, grass and woody cover management.
Duties will include, but may not be limited to:
– Using Low Stress Livestock handling, herding, temporary fencing, and other methods to improve utilization and distribution of bison grazing to achieve natural resource and production goals.
– Plan forage areas for grazing.
– Plan and execute bison yearly roundup. (Vaccinate livestock using syringes and hypodermic needles. Sort and select bison for targeted markets.)
– Be a lifelong learner by attending continuing educational opportunities.
– Development of plans for capital improvements as needed.
– Coordinate projects and work schedules for employees.
– Ensure a safe work environment for all employees.
– Ensure the preparation of pastures (fences, water systems, forage inventory) ahead of the grazing rotation.
– Daily/monthly reporting of grazing activity, range health, feeding and feed inventories, and maintenance logs.
-Maintain ranch buildings, fences, corrals and water sources/infrastructure.
-Safely operate and maintain vehicles, tractors and heavy equipment with various attachments.
-Safely operate ATVs and UTVs.
– Use a welder, plasma cutter, cutting torch and shop equipment.
– Perform general ranch work. Long hours, weekends when needed.
– Safe use of firearms.
-Manage invasive species with grazing and the occasional use of herbicide if warranted.
– Plan controlled prairie burns for grass management.
– Watch for fires during storms/fight fires in event of one.
COMPETENCIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
Core
- Leadership, Vision, Initiative, Gumption, Openness
Specific Skills/Abilities
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with ability to apply relationship skills, diplomacy and common sense/wisdom to a wide variety of problem-solving situations.
- Ability to analyze challenges and opportunities and make sound recommendations and decisions.
- Problem Solving- Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Develops alternative solutions. Works well in group problem solving situations. Works well alone.
- -Project Management-Coordinates projects, communicates changes and progress. Ability to meet deadlines
- Teamwork- Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Puts success of team above own interests.
- Judgment- Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
- Motivation- Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
- Planning/Organizing- Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently.
- Communication- Effectively communicates through verbal, written, and electronic forms.
- Professionalism- Reacts well under pressure. Accepts responsibility for own actions. Follows through on commitments. Represents MPE LLC in a professional and respectful manner.
- Quality- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
- Safety and Security- Observes safety and security procedures. Reports potentially unsafe conditions. Uses equipment and materials properly. Wears appropriate PPE.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to perform basic math skills.
Licenses
- Position requires operation of a vehicle. Must possess a valid Driver’s License. Driving record must meet the standards and requirements of the Company and the Company’s insurance carrier.
Physical Demands
- While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, dig with various tool, or feel. Reach with hands and arms. Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to climb ladders, pipe corrals, and handling facilities. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to perform physical labor for extended periods of time.
- Able to work in extreme weather conditions and elements, including but not limited to heat, cold, rain, mud, dust, etc.
- Frequent exposure to noise and dust.
- Able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other safety related equipment.
- Able to work a minimum of 8 hours a day.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be alert and aware of dangers that are present while working on a ranch and its surroundings.
Please submit a resume and cover letter to christopher.seivert@gwtc.net
For more information contact Christopher at 605-545-2132