9420 Farm Foreman

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Farm Foreman

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 9420

GRADE 25

CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Dean, College of Agriculture

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Farm Foreman is the primary on-site resident manager of the daily operations of the Shealy Farm and Baker’s Acres. The Farm Foreman lives on-site and performs general farm work as directed by the Dean of College of Agriculture, such as operating and maintaining the operational condition of farm equipment, caring for livestock, mowing and baling hay, etc.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A high school diploma or the equivalent is required. A Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture is preferred.

Experience: At least four years of combined related higher education and 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: Must be able to read, comprehend, and follow instructions for the proper mixture, use, and disposal/storage of chemicals, fertilizers, and similar products used in agricultural work is required. 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: A valid motor vehicle operator’s license is required.

Effort: 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 is required. A full range of physical motion in order to operate manual, electrically powered and/or gasoline-powered equipment and machines and to load cattle is required. 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 is required. The ability to move throughout assigned areas, as the work is often performed out-of-doors, year-round is required.

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. Onsite housing is included as part of this employment opportunity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees the maintenance and repair of equipment, vehicles, and facilities and performs livestock and crop production activities, which will include coordinating the feeding and care of cattle as appropriate for meeting college objectives, at the Baker’s Acres and Shealy Farm as directed by the Dean, College of Agriculture.

2. Participates in the planning, preparation, and execution of farm operations as directed by the Dean, College of Agriculture.

3. Works in coordination with the Dean, College of Agriculture to prepare the Holos Center and other farm facilities 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, mentoring, 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 Foreman is directly supervised by the Dean, College of Agriculture and may assist in supervision of student employees on occasion.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

NOVEMBER 2021

JOB FAMILY 2

Factor 1: Educational Requirements of the Job

Level 2.0 - 100 Points: The job requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

Factor 2: Skill Requirements - Craft and Trade Skills

Level 3.0 - 550 Points: General mechanical or technical aptitude and specific knowledge and experience in a skill, craft, or trade. The ability to perform standard procedures, operations, and/or operate specific equipment, that is required through at least two years of experience and previous training is required.

Factor 3: Managerial Responsibility

Level 3.0 - 150 Points: Some supervision and training of student and part-time workers may be required where the nature of supervision is largely confined to scheduling work and assigning tasks. Supervision at this level may also involve directing the work assignments of one or more permanent, full-time employees, but supervision typically does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities, and supervisory duties typically do not consume a large portion of the work day. Characteristic of this level would be employees who direct student workers, or work team leaders who act as working supervisors. Responsibilities at this level may include tracking budgeted spending, limited purchasing authority, and tracking inventory.

Factor 4: Guidelines

Level 3.0 - 90 Points: Procedures and standards exist, but considerable latitude in applying procedures and selecting a sequence of activities must be exercised. The employee uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The employee analyzes results and recommends changes.

Factor 5: Contacts

Level 3.0 - 100 Points: The purpose is to advise or counsel students, coworkers, or the general public, or to plan or coordinate work efforts with other employees who are working toward common goals and where relationships are generally cooperative. Contacts are moderately structured and routine.

Factor 6: Work Environment

Level 3.0 - 70 Points: The work area involves moderate discomfort and/or risk such as operating heavy machinery or dangerous equipment, or frequent exposure to hazardous materials. Alternatively, the work area may be subject to environmental discomfort such as poor ventilation. Loud noises, and/or extremes of heat or cold. The work often requires wearing protective gear that may be uncomfortable. The nature of the work environment may produce moderate levels of stress.

Factor 7: Physical Demands

Level 4.0 - 150 Points: Work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as climbing ladders, frequent lifting of objects over 50 pounds, crawling or crouching in restricted areas. Occasional lifting of heavy objects weighing 75 pounds or more is required.

Factor 8: Responsibility for Facilities and Resources

Level 4.0 - 100 Points: At this level would be jobs in which the incumbent has the primary responsibility for the security of one or more facilities and the safety of the public within the facility. Jobs at this level might also involve total responsibility for the security and operation of expensive equipment used by others. Consequences of error would likely result in high risk of injury or death to self, other employees, or the public, and/or major damage to University assets.

Factor 9: Complexity

Level 3.0 - 450 Points: The work includes various duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods. Decisions regarding what needs to be done depend upon knowledge of the duties, priorities, commitments, policies, and program goals of the supervisor and the department and involve the analysis of the subject, phase, or issues involved in each project or assignment, and the course of action may have to be selected from many alternatives. The work involves elements that must be identified and analyzed to discern interrelationships.