Farm Manager

Job Title Farm Manager Full Time/Part Time Full Time FLSA Exempt General Job Description

This is a managerial position responsible for the direct oversight of the Walter Todd Research Center. Responsible for supervising the care and maintenance of all animals on site; overseeing routine service and maintenance; delegating and assigning student schedules and tasks; and assisting with departmental activities, events, research, and student organizations. Manages the center to achieve the mission of increasing research and providing experiential learning and employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Works under general supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the department chair.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises daily feeding and caretaking of university-owned animals.

• Oversees daily operations, to include planning, budgeting, and personnel management.

• Hires, supervises, and trains assigned staff and graduate students.

• Provides oversight of maintenance for research center facilities and equipment.

• Ensures livestock and their facilities are prepared for the animals as well as for students and faculty to experience educational learning opportunities.

• Provides leadership for the research center in meetings and events across the state and country.

• Manages forage crop production, including all aspects of planting and harvesting crops.

• Prepares work schedules for assistant manager, graduate students, and student employees.

• Assigns, delegates, and supervises tasks and projects for graduate students and student assistants.

• Provides guidance for promotion and advertising of university-owned animals.

• Supervises annual inventory of facilities, equipment, and products.

• Writes, establishes, and updates standard operating procedures.

• Enforces all safety policies and procedures.

• Assists faculty and staff with carrying out research projects and appropriate protocols along with teaching and service.

• Provides animals and facilities for departmental labs, activities, student organizations, and community events.

• Designates individuals to assist with tours of the research center.

• Receives and supervises the receipt of payments from students and others for departmentally sponsored activities.

Non-Essential Job Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, university policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility.

• Knowledge of practices and procedures in animal husbandry, caretaking, feeding, and breeding.

• Knowledge of practices and procedures in forage production and harvesting.

• Knowledge of the repair, maintenance, and operation of buildings, equipment, and livestock support mechanisms.

• Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.

• Ability to effectively market the programs and services of the department.

• Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines.

• Ability to establish and maintain a good rapport with university faculty and staff, students, and the general public.

• Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.

• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

• Ability to train and supervise others.

• Ability to be on call and respond to emergency situations.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Texas driver's license.

• Physical condition adequate to permit full performance of duties.

Physical Demands

Physical ability to perform essential job functions, including ability to stand up for more than an hour at a time; stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, crawl, climb, balance; reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger/handle/feel; talk, hear; lift and push up to 50 pounds; as well as close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The typical noise level in the work environment is loud and the employee is exposed to extreme environmental conditions (work outdoors year-round and in confined facilities such as poultry houses and swine housing).

Required Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture or a related field is required. Related experience may be substituted for required education on a basis set forth by the Department of Human Resources.

Required Experience and Training

Four years of related experience is required. Experience with beef cattle production, poultry production, equine production, forage management, and swine production are required. Valid Texas driver's license is required at time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree is preferred. Experience with feeding livestock and preventive maintenance on equipment and facilities is preferred. Certifications in artificial insemination and/or ultrasound are preferred.

Special Conditions for Eligibility

This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal record check.

This is a safety-sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing.

This is an IT-sensitive position subject to the Computer and Network Security policy.

Min Pay Rate Mid Pay Rate Salary Information Salary Grade - 7 Specific Job Requirements/Duties for this Posting

The Walter Todd Research Center is a 726 acre facility located approximately 15 minutes north of the main campus on County Road 123 off of U.S. Highway 259 North. For more information, go to https://www.sfasu.edu/academics/colleges/forestry-agriculture/academics/agriculture/research-outreach/ag-research-center

Is Background Check Required? Yes Benefit and Retirement Eligibility

This position is eligible for participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirement plan, subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

EEO Statement

Stephen F. Austin State University, an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and Educator, is committed to excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, creed, color, age, national origin, religion or physical or mental disability as required by law. If, because of an impairment or disability, you need accommodation during any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at 936-468-2304.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S2024-059 Candidates Eligible to Apply Open to all qualified applicants Number of Positions Available 1 Posted Date 04/24/2024 Review Start Date Close Date Work Schedule Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Posting Quick Link https://careers.sfasu.edu/postings/11398

Contact Information

Contact Name Erin Brown Contact Phone (936) 468-4433 Contact Email browneg@sfasu.edu Contact Information Applicants will be contacted by the hiring department if selected for an interview If you have technical questions about this job posting, please contact HR at (936) 468-2304.