Grazing and Fencing Apprenticeship

Please read the entire description and closely follow the application instructions at the end.

​​This work is most suitable for those who are accustomed to moving 25,000 steps per day over natural terrain in all conditions. Candidate should also be able to lift a minimum of 75 lbs and maneuver large, cumbersome equipment.

Title: Grazing and Fencing Apprenticeship

Term: November 2024-July 2025

Wage: [$17/hour wage + trailer housing and utilities (~$850/month) Equals around ~ $21.5/hr]

Location: Sonoma and Marin County, CA

Our Work

Sonoma Mountain Institute manages public and private land for individuals, governmental organizations, and nonprofits across Sonoma and Marin Counties. Our team of land managers, stewards, and scientists focuses on managed herbivory, primarily cattle, as our most effective tool to restore the health of the grasslands and savannas in our bioregion. We plan our grazing, monitor its effect in real-time across 100 bio-monitoring points on our ranches, and constantly adapt based on changing conditions. This scientifically rigorous, boots-on-the-ground approach to adaptive management is the bread and butter of our operation.

The Job

Our Grazing and Fencing Apprenticeship provides extensive experience and training in the day-to-day work of operating a ranch and building and maintaining the infrastructure it takes to do so. The apprenticeship also exposes you to managing the act of herbivory and managing ecology at a broad-acre scale. Through the first few months of the apprenticeship, the bulk of the work will consist of erecting and repairing fencing on rough terrain to achieve the desired ecological outcomes on the land. This work is very physically challenging and must be performed in all weathers. After a short training period, most of the fence work will be performed alone. As the grazing season progresses, the apprentice will be trained in low-stress stock handling, ranch plumbing, light grazing planning, basic ecological assessment of pasture, and general infrastructure repair. Once the training is underway, the apprentice will be expected to participate in the weekly gathering and moving of cattle, infrastructure management, and basic livestock care.

If the apprentice performs well, they will be given an increased amount of responsibility commensurate with their level of performance. This may include primary responsibility for a small herd of cattle during our late spring/early summer grazing period.    

Compensation and Parameters of Job

Scope: One grazing season, November 2024 through July 2025. 40- hours a week. 

Wages: ~$21.5/hr [$17/hour wage + trailer housing and utilities (~$850/month)]

Responsibilities

75%

• Repair, construct, and monitor both temporary and permanent infrastructure (specifically, permanent and temporary electric and barbed wire fencing) across our partner ranches in alignment with our ecological goals. While this work is not glamorous, it is the absolute foundation of being able to keep the cattle in the right location for the right amount of time for the right reasons, and it will provide a thorough and nuanced understanding of all types of fencing in all types of terrain and climates, which is essential for land managers to be effective at managing operations in the future. 
• Attending to cattle water infrastructure and plumbing. 

25%

• Provide hands-on, day-to-day grazing support of cattle and work to ensure their health and well-being. This includes but is not limited to, regular low-stress cattle moves, checking water points, and assessing and addressing any health problems that arise.
• Collaborate with the SMI team to collectively determine and execute ecological goals and strategies.
• Engage with cattle suppliers, land owners, and the public effectively and respectfully, as a liaison for SMI and our work.

Qualifications

• Desire to pursue a professional career in regenerative ranch management
• A self motivated person who works well alone but is also capable of calm, effective communication within a team setting.
• A person accustomed to long periods outdoors in all weathers and the discomforts that can sometimes bring.
• Some familiarity with 2D mapping and how to navigate across large unfamiliar landscapes
• Previous experience working with livestock OR experience working in an applicable trade OR other form of manual labor with transferable skills (e.g. construction, electrical carpentry, plumbing, welding, etc.)
• An existing level of physical fitness that could accomplish 10 - 15 miles a day of vigorous hiking and the ability to pick up and carry 75 lbs of weight.
• Able to safely perform manual labor in varied climatic and environmental conditions and willing to work outdoors up to 10+ hours/day in uncomfortable conditions
• Driver's license and experience in safely driving offroad vehicles in varied terrain.
• Effective communication and ability to collaborate with a wide range of people, teams, and partners

To be considered for the position, please email your resume to admin@groundedgrasslands.com and answer the following three questions (~250 words per question). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through early August 2024, and early applications are encouraged.

Questions to answer in email:

1. Describe your current daily physical activity 

2. What makes you want to work specifically with cattle?

3. Aside from money, what motivates you to do this work?