Range Managers

19-1031.02

Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Regulate grazing, such as by issuing permits and checking for compliance with standards, and help ranchers plan and organize grazing systems to manage, improve, protect, and maximize the use of rangelands.
• Manage forage resources through fire, herbicide use, or revegetation to maintain a sustainable yield from the land.
• Coordinate with federal land managers and other agencies and organizations to manage and protect rangelands.
• Measure and assess vegetation resources for biological assessment companies, environmental impact statements, and rangeland monitoring programs.
• Maintain soil stability and vegetation for non-grazing uses, such as wildlife habitats and outdoor recreation.
• Study grazing patterns to determine number and kind of livestock that can be most profitably grazed and to determine the best grazing seasons.
• Offer advice to rangeland users on water management, forage production methods, and control of brush.
• Plan and direct construction and maintenance of range improvements, such as fencing, corrals, stock-watering reservoirs, and soil-erosion control structures.
• Mediate agreements among rangeland users and preservationists as to appropriate land use and management.
• Study rangeland management practices and research range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
• Tailor conservation plans to landowners' goals, such as livestock support, wildlife, or recreation.
• Develop technical standards and specifications used to manage, protect, and improve the natural resources of range lands and related grazing lands.
• Plan and implement revegetation of disturbed sites.
• Study forage plants and their growth requirements to determine varieties best suited to particular range.
• Manage private livestock operations.
• Develop methods for protecting range from fire and rodent damage and for controlling poisonous plants.
• Develop new and improved instruments and techniques for activities, such as range reseeding.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Aquatic Plant Information Retrieval System APIRS; Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment AGWA; BehavePlus; Clark Labs IDRISI Selva; ESSA Technologies Path Landscape Model; ESSA TechnologiesTool for Exploratory Landscape Scenario Analyses TELSA; FARSITE; FEAT/Firemon integrated FFI; Fire Spread Probability FSPro; FlamMap; Fuel Characteristic Classification System FCCS; National Resources Conservation Service Grazing Spatial Analysis Tool; Parbat; SAS 🔥; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Livestock and Environment Toolbox LEAD; University of Arizona RangeView; USDA Comet; USDA Database for Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment (DIMA); USDA SamplePoint; Viper Tools
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥; National Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Information System ESIS; National Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey WSS; Satellite image databases; The Nature Conservancy Weed Information Management System WIMS; USDA NRCS VegSpec
• Data mining software - Data mining software
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥; ESRI software; Geographic information system GIS systems
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Photoshop 🔥; GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP
• Map creation software - CorridorDesigner; Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS; Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE; RSAC Riparian Mapping Tool; USDA NRCS Soil Data Viewer
• Mobile location based services software - Global positioning system GPS software
• Object or component oriented development software - Oracle Java 🔥; Perl 🔥; Python 🔥; R 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥; Microsoft Windows 🔥; UNIX 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Time accounting software - Microsoft Great Plains Personal Data Keeper
• Web page creation and editing software - Facebook 🔥
• Web platform development software - Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Determine operational compliance with regulations or standards.
• Manage agricultural or forestry operations.
• Issue permits or other legal documents.
• Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
• Confer with others to conduct or arrange operational activities.
• Communicate with government agencies.
• Measure environmental characteristics.
• Research livestock management methods.
• Advise others about land management or conservation.
• Mediate disputes.
• Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
• Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
• Research crop management methods.
• Develop agricultural methods.