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Ranch Manager Couple Job Description
Ranch Overview
The Ranch encompasses approximately 1,600 deeded acres in the remote Centennial Valley of Montana. The ranch leases out seasonal grazing for approximately 150 cow-calf pairs, utilizing rolling foothills, and serves as a private retreat for the owners, their family, and guests. Recreational activities include fishing, riding, hiking, hunting, and seasonal gatherings.
The property includes a large main home and supporting bunkhouse, manager's residence and shops, and outbuildings, all of which require regular care, maintenance, and oversight. The Ranch Manager Couple will ensure that facilities are well cared for, the land is stewarded responsibly, and guests are welcomed in a professional and hospitable manner. The remote location requires diligence and familiarity in operating safely while being competent and resourceful.
Reporting Relationships
The Ranch Manager Couple reports directly to the owner and works closely with the owner and advisors. The manager couple is expected to collaborate effectively with contractors, vendors, service providers, and community partners.
1. Land, Infrastructure & Equipment
• Roads & Access: Road repair and routine grading, gravelling, culvert maintenance, signage, firebreaks, and cattle guard/gate maintenance. Snow removal from all roads on the Ranch.
• Buildings & Utilities: Exterior maintenance on all Ranch structures. Conduct and schedule inspections as required (electrical, alarm systems, HVAC, water, septic, roofs, and siding), coordinate repairs, and ensure seasonal readiness (cleaning chimney, winterizing, openings/closings). Snow removal from all walkways and exterior areas surrounding the main house and bunkhouse.
• Equipment Management, including recreational equipment: Preventive maintenance schedules, fuel storage oversight, and safe operation of vehicles and equipment.
• Fencing: Maintain, repair, and construct perimeter and interior fencing to support livestock management and property security.
• Grounds & Landscaping: Perform all regular and seasonal maintenance of Improvements on the Ranch. Including all landscaping and lawn care associated with the main house and the bunkhouse, including but not limited to all planting, seeding, irrigation, mowing, weed-whacking, trimming, tree and brush removal, and sprinkler system maintenance.
• Fishing pounds & picnic areas: Landscape around the ponds for easy access, maintain supporting docks and structures, including picnic areas. Coordinate/conduct proper pound care and maintenance.
• Timber: Arrange for removal of dead timber, cut firwood, and dispose property including the use of secure burn piles.
• Emergency Preparedness: Fire mitigation (fuel reduction, defensible space), flood response, backup generators as required, first aid and emergency protocols.
2. Agricultural & Livestock Operations
• Pasture & Range Management: Monitor land resources and lease tenant to ensure sound rotational grazing plans, soil health monitoring, and lease performance.
• Livestock Oversight: Monitor herd distribution, water supply, and fencing for lessee cattle; coordinate with grazing tenants.
• Irrigation & Water Rights: Use, to their fullest extent, any irrigation rights appurtenant to the Ranch. Manage legal compliance, water allocations, irrigation technology, and drought contingency planning.
• Noxious Weed Mitigation: Develop and implement effective strategies for monitoring, controlling, and preventing invasive species.
• Additional Livestock: Care for other small pet livestock such as sheep or barnyard animals, as needed.
• Horse Activities: Maintain all the existing walking and riding trails across the Ranch. Facilitate lease horse arrival, use, and return. Maintain any equine equipment/tack in good working order.
• Wildlife & Habitat Management: Hunting program administration, if required, fish stocking or habitat enhancement, and partnerships with conservation agencies.
3. Hospitality & Guest Services
• Guest Readiness: Ensure homes, cabins, and guest facilities are clean, stocked, and fully operational before owner or guest arrivals.
• Event Support: Coordinate and assist with recreational activities, gatherings, and special events such as fishing trips, horseback riding, holiday celebrations, picnics, and BBQs.
• Household Staff & Service Providers: Oversee schedules and performance of housekeepers, cooks, part-time staff, and service providers as needed.
• Discretion & Privacy: Anticipate guest needs while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and respect for family privacy.
4. Administration & Finance
• Reporting: Provide regular email status updates regarding the Ranch and improvements. Communicate regularly by email and/or phone in the event decisions need to be made by the Owner.
• Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate logs for maintenance, equipment inventories, land use, and water rights.
• Vendor & Contractor Management: Oversee performance, ensure compliance with insurance and liability requirements.
• Technology & Tools: Utilize ranch management software, spreadsheets, GIS mapping, or other digital tools for planning and reporting.
• Financial Administration: Pay invoices, maintain monthly bookkeeping records, and submit copies of receipts and back-up invoices for all Ranch expenditures.
• Logistics: Collect mail and other notices, collect shipments, and deliver packages to appropriate facilities in surrounding towns while ensuring items are relied to Owner.
5. Community, Compliance & Representation
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to all local, state, and federal requirements, including grazing permits, water rights, and hunting and fishing regulations.
• Community Relations: Maintain positive relationships with neighbors, local officials, and service providers; represent the ranch and owners with professionalism.
• Advocacy & Agency Interaction: Serve as the ranch's representative with DNRC and other relevant agencies.
• Security & Surveillance: Monitor ranch boundaries, prevent trespassing, and coordinate with local law enforcement when necessary.
• Local Contractor Relations: Maintain goodwill with local contractors and vendors to ensure strong working partnerships.
6. Leadership & Human Resources
• Hiring & Oversight: Recruit, supervise, and, when necessary, dismiss staff or contractors to support ranch operations.
• Safety Culture: Promote and enforce safe work practices around equipment, livestock, and the ranch environment.
7. Owner Support
• Lifestyle Management: Ensure homes and facilities are stocked with supplies and prepared for owner visits, as directed.
• Activity Coordination: Arrange and support recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, riding, hiking, picnics, and BBQs.
• Special Projects: Oversee building construction, landscape improvements, or habitat restoration projects as directed.
• Guest Support: Provide assistance for family members and guests, maintaining a friendly professionalism, discretion, and respect at all times.
• Transportation: Conduct running errands to surrounding supply centers and other transportation needs for owners and guests.
8. Sustainability & Vision
• Conservation: Maintain soil, water, and habitat health through responsible land management practices.
• Resource Stewardship: Implement sustainable approaches to grazing, irrigation, and weed control.
• Habitat Care: Support wildlife and fishery health through thoughtful maintenance and improvements.
Qualifications
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in ranch management, property oversight, or a comparable land and hospitality environment.
• Proven ability to operate and maintain a wide range of ranch equipment and vehicles.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; detail-oriented and resourceful.
• Professional, discreet, and trustworthy, with respect for family privacy.
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively as part of a small professional team.
• Comfortable living in a rural environment and managing operations in harsh seasonal conditions.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written; fluent in English.
• Comfortable using smartphones, email, texting, and standard computer software for communication and record-keeping.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Onsite subsidized housing provided.
• Benefits package including health insurance, PTO, and holidays.
• Company vehicle provided for ranch-related use.
• Opportunity to live and work in one of Montana's most sought-after ranch settings.