POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Farm Operations Manager
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 9405
GRADE 26
CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Dean, College of Agriculture
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Farm Operations Manager manages the daily operations of the Darr Agricultural Center, Baker’s Acres, and the Kindrick Family Farm teaching and research farms.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture is required; a Master’s degree in Agriculture is preferred.
Experience: Three years of experience managing livestock or farm and ranch operations is required. Experience with low stress livestock handling techniques, management intensive grazing (MIG), farm machinery operation, and crop management and harvest is required. Experience working with a livestock operation and performing duties such as fence building, maintenance, and livestock vaccination, etc., are required.
Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills are required. Organizational skills are required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications, such as Word and Excel, is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
License: Must have a valid motor vehicle operator's license.
Effort: Requires the ability to lift and carry livestock and farm supplies and equipment weighing fifty pounds or more on a regular basis, prolonged walking or standing, and frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching on a daily basis. Requires a full range of physical motion in order to operate manual, electrically-powered and/or gasoline-powered equipment and machines and to load cattle. Requires the ability to access facilities and areas which may only be accessible by climbing stairs or by climbing ladders to a height of 15 feet. Must be able to move throughout assigned areas, as the work is often performed out-of-doors, year round.
Other: The scope of the position requires exposure to and use of chemical compounds for application on trees, crops, and grasses which may be hazardous and cause injury if specific instructions regarding their mixture, application, use and disposal/storage are not properly followed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversees the maintenance and repair of equipment, vehicles, and facilities and performs livestock and crop production activities, which may include coordinating the feeding, fitting, and exhibition of cattle as appropriate for meeting departmental objectives, at the Darr Center, Baker’s Acres, and the Kindrick Family Farm as directed by the Dean, College of Agriculture.
2. Participate in the planning, preparation, and execution of Journagan Ranch activities as directed by the Dean, College of Agriculture.
3. Works in coordination with the Dean, College of Agriculture to prepare the Pinegar Arena and Learning Center building for rentals and other activities.
4. Assists with research and educational activities by following verbal and written protocols and communicating effectively with Missouri State University agricultural researchers and educators and the general public.
5. Participates in training and supervising student employees working with livestock and performing other farm duties.
6. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
7. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required.
8. Supports the overall success of the Darr College of Agriculture by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Farm Operations Manager is supervised by the Dean, College of Agriculture and Darr Agricultural Center project leaders and supervises student workers.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED APRIL 2020
