Temporary Caretaker of the Audubon Bobcat Ranch -- Winters, CA

Purpose of the position:

Temporary Caretaker of the Bobcat Ranch from June1-Sept 1, 2008.

Moderate rent will be charged.

Essential Functions:

Lessee will be responsible for the following duties while leasing the Bobcat Ranch house:
• Live on site at the ranch.
• Patrol the ranch, particularly southern and western border. This includes weekly patrol of four hours to walk, drive and/or ride ATV along the southern border, maintain healthy relationship with neighbors on the ranch house road and patrol Bray and Thompson canyons. Additional patrols during the deer, turkey and
dove hunting seasons may be required to reduce incidence of poaching;
• Maintain grounds around house, miner’s cabin and barn. This includes clearing excessive brush and maintaining grass heights to avoid negative impacts from wild fires;
• Remove wild pigs when and if possible;
• Maintain house in condition it was when lessee moved occupied ranch house;
• Complete one or more ranch improvement projects: cleaning and painting barn and corrals; documenting structure of, removing and rebuilding miner’s cabin, cleaning and repairing the hunting cabin. Material costs for projects will be covered by Audubon;
• During patrols conduct general wildlife surveys (with provided forms/training), general fence and fence post repairs and gate and lock upkeep and maintenance throughout the ranch;
• Report any wildfires to Cal Fire or Winters Fire Department as soon as is possible. If leaving the ranch for any period longer than one day, notify Audubon of departure and arrange for “house sitter” during leaves of more than one week;
• Maintain working relationship for patrols with country fishing access site caretakers; and
• Maintain the ATV in proper working condition, including oil change, tire and brake maintenance. Costs incurred will be covered by Audubon.

Qualifications: (e.g., education, training, experience, licenses and skills):

Must have California driver’s license and able to operate an ATV. Minimum education of B.S. in ecology, restoration ecology, range management or related field. 2 or more years of field work in place of degree is acceptable. Carpentry, fence and gate repair are a plus but not required.

Physical Requirements (e.g., lifting, reaching, climb, push/pull, etc.):

Must be able to lift heavy objects, equipment and machinery.

Contact: Send resume and cover letter to Vance Russell at vrussell@audubon.org. No phone calls please.