The Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District and the Central Coast Soil Hub are seeking an experienced rangeland manager to serve as a Regional Rangeland Conservation Planner. This position will serve ranchers and other rangeland managers across the region, offering technical assistance, conservation planning, and educational resources to support the implementation of sustainable grazing in the Central Coast. While this position will be employed by the Coastal San Luis RCD they will serve the entire Central Coast Soil Hub, spanning San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

To be successful in this role, candidates must possess exceptional independence, drive, and self-organizational skills. This will be a highly autonomous role, relying on self-direction and collaboration to achieve strategic priorities. This position will report to the Executive Director of the Coastal San Luis RCD, but will work in close collaboration with the Regional Coordinator of the Central Coast Soil Hub and with the leadership staff of the other member RCDs.
Travel across the three counties in the Soil Hub will be required. There will be occasional after-hours and weekend work. This is expected to be a hybrid position, with the duty station determined by the county of residence of the selected candidate and opportunities to work remotely. This position is funded by a USDA NRCS Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative grant, with funding secured through Nov. 2027 (and likely to extend through at least late 2028).

Job Duties

Technical Assistance and Conservation Planning

● Work independently to prescribe and recommend management practices and conservation solutions to ranchers and other land managers to address natural resource concerns and landowner objectives on rangelands
● Prepare a range of professional documents, especially grazing management plans, prescribed grazing plans, etc. as the lead planner. Prepare other documents as needed, such as monitoring reports, environmental planning documents, standard operating procedures, and white papers
● Support conservation practice implementation with in-person guidance to land managers
● Independently assess habitat and vegetation conditions, monitor water quality and restoration success, and consult on selection of Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Education, Outreach, and Communication

● Coordinate, plan, and facilitate educational workshops, peer learning events, demonstration projects, etc. focused on rangeland conservation topics; occasional after-hours and weekend events will be required
● Engage and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders such as state and federal agencies, university staff, nonprofit organizations, and producer groups
● Assist with the development of written and digital educational resources
● Contribute to and support strategic opportunities for partnerships, resources, and communications to advance program goals.

Administration and Other Duties

● Perform administrative duties required by the NRCS Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative grant that funds the Regional Rangeland Conservation Program
● Communication with State/Federal/Private funders and Grant Managers
● Manage and Track scopes of work, sub-contracts, budgets, timelines, and deliverables
● Coordinate with administrative staff to ensure timely and accurate invoicing and reporting
● Participate in regular meetings with CSLRCD staff and the Central Coast Soil Hub
● Other duties as assigned

Skills, Knowledge, and Certifications

Required Skills and Experiences

● BS degree or equivalent in rangeland management
● Minimum 3 years experience planning, supporting, or implementing rangeland conservation practices that improve resource conservation targets
● Ability to write grazing plans and other related conservation plans
● Hands-on experience in rangeland conservation, livestock management, or related fields
● Demonstrated experience administering and managing grants
● Ability to work autonomously
● Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Desired Skills and Experiences

● Certified Rangeland Planner
● NRCS Job Approval Authority and NRCS Conservation Practice Certifications
● Experience with Holistic Planned Grazing and similar sustainable rangeland management principles
● Experience using prescribed grazing as a tool for wildfire risk management
● Familiarity with NRCS and CDFA conservation plans, practices, and programs
● Familiarity with CEQA and other relevant environmental regulations
● Soil health, grass ID, and forage quality assessment skills
● Mapping and GIS applications
● Understanding of local soil, hydrology and climate conditions in the context of rangeland
● Experience facilitating outreach events and coordinating educational resources

Physical Requirements
This role involves working across diverse outdoor landscapes encompassing different terrains, dense vegetation where contact with poison oak, ticks, and mosquitoes might occur. The conditions may vary between hot, cold, and wet environments. Additionally, the position entails working in a professional office setting where standard office equipment like computers, phones, copiers, calculators, and filing cabinets are regularly utilized.

Compensation and Benefits
$83,000 - $93,500 annual salary depending on experience. This is a full-time position. CSLRCD’s compensation package includes a 100% employer-funded health insurance option, generous paid time off (in lieu of paid holidays), 3% contribution to a Simple IRA, and sick leave. This position is subject to a 90-day probationary period.

Additional Background Information

The Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District (CSLRCD) is one of several RCDs across California that serve as local hubs for conservation, connecting people with the technical, financial, and educational assistance they need to conserve and manage natural resources. CSLRCD staff are concurrently involved in restoration, planning, and resource management projects across coastal San Luis Obispo County. We offer interesting and challenging work that truly makes a difference in our community.

The Central Coast Soil Hub is a collaboration between the Coastal San Luis RCD and three other Resource Conservation Districts. The mission of the Hub is to coordinate the effective cooperation between the RCDs in the Hub (and their partners) to increase the resilience and sustainability of agricultural operations and other working landscapes in the Central Coast. By collaborating with one another we can share knowledge and resources to fulfill our shared mission to support this region. We partner with farmers and ranchers, researchers, community organizations, and local, state and federal agencies to provide technical and financial support to the Central Coast agriculture community.

The Hub covers San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and is composed of four Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs): Coastal San Luis and Upper Salinas-Las Tablas RCDs (San Luis Obispo County), Cachuma RCD (Santa Barbara County), and the Ventura County RCD. The region includes 1.8 million acres of rangelands that serve as a primary economic driver and that are at risk due to a variety of factors (including drought, climate change, and economic conditions). The Soil Hub is supported by the Carbon Cycle Institute and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.

Sustainable and regenerative rangeland management practices have been identified and utilized across the region as an important tool to help improve agricultural productivity and viability, enhance ecosystem and landscape function, and mitigate climate change (including by achieving CO2 emission reduction goals).

California’s Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) play a critical role in achieving the state’s ambitious goals to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance natural resources and to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. RCDs in California are also essential partners to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), directly engaging and supporting farmers, ranchers and land managers by leveraging state grant dollars for project implementation, targeted conservation activities, technical assistance, and demonstration projects.