Cattle Ranch Manager Jobs in Nevada (NOW HIRING)

Location: Ranch, HC 10 Box 10853, ElyFiling Deadline: The first 100 applications submitted on or before June 20, 2026 at 11:59pm PST, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.INTRODUCTION: Human Resources will screen applications and supplemental questionnaires. Candidates possessing the strongest skills and experience for this position will be forwarded to the hiring department for further evaluation and to determine who will be invited to the formal interview process. The successful candidate may be required to pass a job-related physical evaluation. Hours of Work: M-Fr; 8am-5pmThe 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 candidate 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 PURPOSEUnder 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.   DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of:Principles and practices of business and financial management applicable to ranching and farming operations; 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; principles, practices, methods and techniques of agribusiness including crop selection, production, nutrient management and irrigation, crop harvesting, pest control and storage; techniques and equipment used in planting, growing, and harvesting agricultural products; operations of commodity markets as they apply to the planning for and sales of ranch and farm products; general principles and practices of environmental resources management and wildlife and habitat conservation and protection; state and federal regulatory and permitting requirements, policies and procedures applicable to ranch operations; standard principles, tools and techniques of project management; principles and practices of public administration including budgeting, purchasing and maintenance of public records; principles, methods and techniques of strategic planning; staff scheduling methods and techniques applicable to ranch and farming operations; principles and practices of effective business and marketing communications; principles and practices of risk management applicable to ranching and farming operations; District safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work; principles and practices of effective management and supervision; District human resource policies and labor contract provisions.  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; 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; 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; understand, interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local  law, regulations and court decisions applicable to areas of responsibility; work collaboratively with District/SNWA management and external stakeholders and provide expert advice and counsel on solutions to complex ranch operational issues; organize, set priorities and exercise expert independent judgment within areas of responsibility; develop and implement appropriate management and operational procedures and controls; identify and ensure prompt resolution of safety issues and hazardous conditions; prepare clear, concise and comprehensive records, reports, correspondence and other written materials; 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; exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential issues and situations; 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.   Training and Experience:A typical way of obtaining the knowledges, skills and abilities outlined above is 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 Certification in Advanced Ranch Management or an advanced degree in a relevant field is highly desirable but not required.    Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:A valid Nevada driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.  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.   PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDSThe physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   Physical Demands:While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk and talk or hear, by telephone, in meetings or outdoors.

The employee is regularly required to lift up to 25 pounds and may occasionally have to move or lift up to 100 pounds with assistance.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.   Mental Demands:While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret complex data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret people, conditions and situations; deal with multiple concurrent tasks with changing deadlines and frequent interruptions; and interact with SNWA managers and staff, other ranchers, vendors, agents, the community, state and federal officials and others encountered in the course of work.  Interested in joining our Team? Apply today by clicking APPLY TO THIS POSITION.