Job Description

Associate Rangeland Management Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW This is a rare seat for someone who wants their range and wildlife background to actually move the needle on a working landscape. You will help oversee the surface estate across a large West Texas land portfolio, balancing grazing, wildlife, and oil and gas activity while keeping the long term health of the resource front and center. Expect real field time, including aerial wildlife surveys by helicopter, lease inspections, and regular face to face work with grazing lessees.

Pay Rate: $50 to $53 per hour, depending on experience
Location: Midland, TX (onsite)
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, with flexibility to shift the work week around field priorities
Employment Type: Full time contract, onsite
Reports To: Manager, Surface Operations

CLIENT OVERVIEW A land and natural resource management organization responsible for the surface estate across a large West Texas and Trans Pecos land portfolio. The group manages grazing leases, hunting and wildlife programs, and coordinates with active oil and gas operations on the same acreage. The mandate is twofold: generate surface income and protect the productivity and sustainability of the resource for the long haul.

RESPONSIBILITIES Rangeland and Grazing:

• Monitor compliance with the terms of the flexible grazing lease program and evaluate natural resources against land management goals
• Assist in evaluating rangeland conditions, including soil and vegetation, to set grazing management practices, stocking rates, and lessee recommendations
• Perform lease inspections, assemble field data, draft reports with corrective action, and track completion of required action plans
• Review grazing lease improvement applications for cost share programs and follow projects through implementation

Wildlife:

• Conduct aerial wildlife surveys via helicopter throughout the year, write reports, and make harvest recommendations from survey observations
• Help evaluate hunting markets across ecological range sites, current hunting rates, and the wildlife resource annually to support harvest and rate decisions

Coordination and Stewardship:

• Coordinate land resource use across multiple users to protect sensitive areas and sustain productivity
• Meet routinely with grazing lessees to build relationships, maintain communication, and share acceptable practices for the land
• Support Surface Landmen and Surface Operations Specialists in monitoring oil field operations and encouraging best management practices that minimize surface impact
• Assist with management and budgeting of local, state, and federal funding programs supporting grazing and wildlife improvement projects
• Work with internal departments and agency partners, including NRCS, state land and wildlife agencies, environmental regulators, and federal wildlife staff, to stay current on rules and maintain compliance
• Identify and mediate conflicts and work toward solutions all parties can agree to

REQUIREMENTS Required:

• Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, biology, wildlife management, or a related field
• Working knowledge of land management, conservation, and natural resource management
• Knowledge of range and wildlife management, including conservation methods and ecological dynamics as they relate to livestock and wildlife
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort working directly with lessees and agency partners
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and GIS applications, including map creation
• Valid driver's license, with willingness to drive a company owned vehicle
• Willingness to fly in a helicopter for wildlife surveys
• Ability to work onsite in Midland, TX

Preferred:

• Master's degree in natural resource management, biology, wildlife management, or a related field
• Direct experience in a related discipline
• Familiarity with the oil and gas industry and with land resource management, land ownership, and stewardship in West Texas and the Trans Pecos region

Working Conditions:

• Split between outdoor field work around oil and gas operations, pipelines, and commercial facilities and a professional office environment in Midland, TX
• Regular helicopter time for aerial wildlife surveys
• Repetitive keyboard use at a workstation
• Driving a company owned vehicle is required

BENEFITS

• Competitive hourly pay at $50 to $53 per hour, depending on experience
• Full time, 40 hour schedule with predictable Monday through Friday hours
• Company vehicle provided for field work
• Field based role with real variety and genuine ownership of the resource
• Exposure to grazing, wildlife, and oil and gas surface operations on the same acreage
• Contract benefit options available through Dudley Staffing