Farm Manager

Department of Education, Western Australia; Shire Of Kellerberrin; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Australia College of Agriculture – Harvey (WACOA Harvey) seeks a Farm Manager to lead the 920-hectare farm, including dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry and horticulture, on a semi-commercial operation aligned with industry best practice.

The successful candidate will be an innovative, proactive leader with strong people management, budgeting and policy development skills, ensuring high educational and operational outcomes for students.

Qualifications

• Broad understanding of agricultural enterprises and farming operations is essential.
• A commitment to innovation and continuous improvement is essential.
• Highly developed communication, organisational and staff management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the College's 920-hectare farm including dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry and horticulture.
• Develop and review farm policies, operational plans and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee budget development and management of financial resources.
• Recruitment, induction, performance development and staff rosters.
• Share on-call responsibility to manage issues beyond standard hours.

Job description

This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027Western Australia College of Agriculture – Harvey (WACOA Harvey) is a vibrant, co-educational specialist school for students in Years 10 to 12. As a leading provider of agricultural and trades-based education, we attract motivated young people from across Western Australia, many of whom board on site to fully immerse themselves in our authentic, hands-on learning environment. Our students choose WACOA Harvey for real experience, practical skills, and meaningful pathways, and as a result are engaged, purposeful, and highly motivated to learn.

Situated in Wokalup, just 8 km south of the Harvey town centre, the College is set on a 900-hectare working farm that operates a range of industry-aligned, semi-commercial agricultural enterprises. This unique setting provides students with daily opportunities to learn through real-life work, using industry-standard practices, equipment, and technologies. Our Trades Training Centre further expands pathways through high-quality Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs that prepare students for employment, apprenticeships, and further study.

Graduates of WACOA Harvey are highly employable and consistently achieve strong post-school outcomes. Many secure apprenticeships or skilled employment shortly after graduation, while others transition successfully into further training or university, supported by a university-level bridging program delivered on campus.

Harvey and the surrounding region offer an exceptional lifestyle. Located just 1.5 hours south of Perth, 20 minutes from the coast, and 40 minutes from Bunbury, the area provides a balance of rural charm and modern convenience. The community is welcoming and well-resourced, with excellent sporting facilities, shopping, medical services, and a wide range of recreational opportunities—making it an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family.

To learn more about our College, please visit www.harveyag.wa.edu.au or explore our profile on Schools Online.

The Role

The Farm Manager is responsible for the management of the College's 920-hectare farm, which features a broad range of animal and plant enterprises operated on a semi-commercial scale and modelled on industry best practice. Reflecting the agricultural enterprises common to the local region, these include dairy, beef cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, meat processing and horticultural operations such as citrus, grapes, vegetables, amenities and hydroponics.

The successful applicant will be an innovative and proactive leader with the ability to develop a sound appreciation of the College's diverse farming operations and their contribution to the College's educational and operational objectives. Applicants are not required to have detailed knowledge of every farm enterprise; however, a broad understanding of agricultural enterprises and farming operations is essential.

A commitment to innovation and continuous improvement is essential, with the successful applicant demonstrating an interest in emerging agricultural technologies and industry advancements. This will help ensure the College's farming operations continue to reflect current practices and provide students with exposure to modern farming methods, technologies and workplace expectations, preparing them for successful careers in the agricultural sector.

The role requires highly developed communication, organisational and staff management skills, with the ability to effectively prioritise workloads, delegate responsibilities and lead a team of staff working across a range of farm enterprises.

In conjunction with the Principal, Farm Staff and the Agricultural Advisory Committee, the Farm Manager is responsible for the development, implementation and review of farm policies, operational plans and strategic initiatives. With support from the Manager Corporate Services, the Farm Manager oversees significant financial resources, including budget development and management, and ensures the accurate collection and maintenance of production and operational records. The role also carries responsibility for the effective management of human resources, including staff recruitment, induction, performance development and the preparation and management of staff rosters.

As part of this role, the Farm Manager shares an on-call responsibility to ensure timely management of operational issues that arise beyond standard working hours.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Petrina Bean, Principal on [phone] or [e-mail].

During the school holidays, please contact Petrina Bean on 0427 521 100 or [e-mail].

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS1057045

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close:

4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 23 October 2026