Natural Resources Job Board

            French Island Farm and Ranch, LP is an approximately 1,135 acre family-owned and operated farm and ranch operation near LaBelle, Texas in Jefferson County, approximately five miles west of Port Arthur, Texas and ten miles south of Beaumont, Texas.  The property is currently in cattle and hay production.  650 acres are former rice acreage, but the property has not been farmed for rice since the 1980’s.  There are five managed bass fishing lakes comprising approximately 135 acres, and approximately 170 acres of the former rice pasture are enrolled in the seasonal Texas Prairie Wetlands Program and managed as habitat for migratory waterfowl during the winter.  The balance of the acreage is in some woodlands and marsh.  The property abuts a state wildlife management area and hosts a large population of alligators and hogs that require management.

 

 

            The selected candidate will become a full-time employee of French Island Farm and Ranch, LP.  The candidate will be expected to reside on-site full time and tend to day-to-day operations, which would include fence monitoring and repair, weed and vegetation management, herbicide application, mowing and pasture maintenance, operation of tractor-mounted mowing and haying equipment, monitoring and winter feeding of cattle, record-keeping with respect to births and deaths, rounding up, loading and transporting cattle, monitoring of varmint activity, management, removal and disposal of excess alligators, hogs and coyotes.  The owners assist neighbors with cattle round ups, so the candidate will be expected to assist in those round up activities, loading and transporting cattle.  The owners will maintain one or more ranch horses on the property, so the candidate will be responsible for feeding, maintaining and turning out the horses.  The candidate will be expected to develop basic veterinary skills for horses and cattle.  The candidate will be expected to become a licensed pesticide applicator with the State of Texas and manage pastures and fence lines to be free of weeds, and manage aquatic vegetation in the bass lakes, monitor the fishery, levee system and water levels and water quality.  The candidate will be expected to manage water control structures for the Texas Prairie Wetlands units, monitor water levels and tank blinds, erect and remove feeders for hog control, and trap and dispose of hogs.  The candidate will be responsible for maintaining the barns in a clean and organized condition, and for maintaining the grounds around the houses, barns and cattle pens in neat and orderly condition.  Occasionally, the candidate will be responsible for engaging and managing contract labor.  The candidate will be expected to assist in development of a commercial hay business.

 

 

Because the day-to-day activities will be so varied, the ideal candidate will have experience with or a bachelor’s degree in one of the following: 

 

·      Farm and ranch management or a related discipline.

·      Wildlife and fisheries management or a related discipline.

·      Agricultural business or a related discipline.

  

This is not an indoors job, and the selected candidate must have a love of the outdoors and willingness to engage in vigorous outdoor activities and labor in all seasons of the year, in all kinds of weather.  The candidate must be innately hardworking and a confident self-starter, comfortable working with or without direction.  A Texas driver’s license and ability to drive large farm tractors and handle farm equipment will be required.  A willingness to fix things and make things work is a must.  At least basic horsemanship and riding ability will be highly advantageous.  The candidate will be expected to be competent with firearms.  The candidate will be expected to become a licensed pesticide applicator with the State of Texas, with the course provided by employer.  The candidate will be expected to be knowledgeable, or become knowledgeable, of cattle, and of the cattle business, and continuing education opportunities will be provided by employer.  The candidate must have good people skills and will be expected to maintain friendly relationships with neighbors, including a willingness to volunteer help to those in need.

 

Background checks and references will be required.  

 

            A monthly salary, paid twice monthly, will be provided commensurate with education and experience.  Vacation will be one week paid the first year, but will not roll over year-to-year.  Medical insurance and a retirement plan are not provided at this time, but could be provided at some time in the future.  As part of the compensation package, employer will provide an on-site trailer home, free of rent with all utilities provided – the value of this benefit is a minimum of $18,000 per year based on comparable housing in this area.  Any use of a personal vehicle for business purposes will be reimbursed.   

 

 

            Interested candidates should submit a statement of interest in the position with attached resume’ to info@frenchislandranch.com