The Zapata Herd Manager is the primary individual responsible for overseeing the buffalo herd at The Nature Conservancy’s Zapata Ranch Preserve in southcentral Colorado, in close collaboration with TNC.
Primary Responsibilities
Manage the buffalo herd at the Zapata Ranch Preserve and collaborate with the Zapata Preserve Manager to ensure overall herd health, well-being, and achievement of management objectives.
Develop, implement, and update a buffalo herd management plan in coordination with ITBC’s Executive Director and Board, TNC, Tribal Nation partners, and state and federal agencies, ensuring alignment with shared goals, objectives, and permit requirements.
Collaborate with TNC’s Tribal and Indigenous Engagement Program Manager to design and implement opportunities for Tribal Nation partners to engage in herd-related activities, including cultural harvest, collaborative management, youth and elder access, and food sovereignty initiatives.
Provide regular written updates and progress reports to ITBC and TNC on herd management and conservation matters.
Implement policies and procedures to monitor, protect, and improve herd health and viability, including sick/injured animal care, monitoring pregnant cows and calves, genetics management, low-stress handling techniques, veterinary coordination, research activities, and retrieval of escaped animals.
Coordinate closely with TNC’s Zapata Preserve Manager on operational planning and buffalo retrieval efforts.
Stay current on best practices in herd management, ecological land management, low-stress handling, and ranch operations through assigned trainings.
Acquire, maintain, repair, and store equipment and supplies necessary for herd operations, including vehicles, veterinary supplies, corrals, fencing, feed, tools, signage, and computer equipment.
Maintain and repair fences, gates, corrals, chutes, and other facilities supporting the buffalo program.
Operate within the Board- and TNC-approved herd program budget in accordance with ITBC financial guidelines; advise leadership on budgetary needs.
Coordinate with TNC on grassland and shrubland health and resilience, including ecological monitoring and herd size recommendations to ensure sustainable forage.
Load, unload, and transport buffalo (including veterinary and disease compliance coordination) for cultural harvests, herd establishment, supplementation, or surplus reduction.
Maintain positive working relationships with ITBC member Tribes, Tribal community members, scientists, veterinarians, visitors, and other stakeholders.
Utilize spreadsheets and word processing software to analyze data, prepare reports, and archive records.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Work Location: In person. On-site housing provided.
Compensation: $28.60/hour
Application Website: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=8f24977e5683cb4a&from=shareddesktop_copy
