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About Olds College Of Agriculture And Technology

Founded in 1913, Olds College has been offering quality hands-on education for over a century. Through our regular programming, continued education, and online and blended programming, we provide accessible educational opportunities within Alberta and beyond. We work closely with industry to advance and adapt our programming to ensure our graduates have the skills to succeed.

At Olds College we value our people and are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment. Olds College provides quality education in an environment that is designed to promote academic excellence and student success. There are many reasons to join Olds College and build a meaningful career in a community that is innovative, diverse and welcoming. Everything we do at Olds College is done to advance all aspects of the agriculture and agri-food community. All of our programs and actions align to our social purpose, “Transforming agriculture for a better world”. Our mission is to ensure Alberta's agriculture community has the talent, knowledge, and thought leadership to lead globally.

The Opportunity

The Olds College Smart Farm (OCSF) Manager is responsible for planning, operating and managing the ag production activities on a 3,600 acre mixed crops and livestock (beef and sheep) enterprise in two provinces (Alberta and Saskatchewan) with additional assets that support equine and animal health technology programming. The Manager is responsible for ensuring the Smart Farm and team provides an exemplary level of measured customer service to all stakeholders, ensuring a high degree of collaboration with academic departments, continuing education, Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI), various clubs and user groups, external stakeholders, industry partners, and other customers.

The Manager will also provide leadership that fosters the implementation of leading edge farm production practices and technologies and will make use of sensors, devices, controls, monitors, and software to gather data that will inform decision making within the farm entity with a focus on profitability, productivity, and sustainability.

The Manager will be accountable to manage the farm operating budget, ensuring monthly and annual revenue and spending are on target while establishing mitigation plans to achieve performance targets. He/she will foster and maintain strong industry involvement and contact with stakeholders connected directly to the farm as well as those through applied research and development relationships.

Key Job Functions

Leadership and Team Management:

• Provide leadership for a dynamic Smart Farm team (approximately ten full-time staff plus seasonal staff) and directly manage key staff.
• Coordinate daily work schedules and ensure tasks are completed to high standards.
• Model leadership in a complex environment combined with the ability to coordinate, manage, leverage and integrate the efforts of faculty, staff, contractors and partners.
• Set clear team goals and objectives aligned with the organization's vision and strategy and ensure effective execution and achievement of targets.
• Manage team performance by setting and tracking key performance indicators, conducting performance reviews, and addressing any performance issues or gaps.
• Champion and foster a positive and inclusive work culture, promoting teamwork, collaboration and open communication within the team.
• Champion a customer-focus and safety mindset within the team ensuring exceptional service delivery and internal/external stakeholder satisfaction.
• Creates team spirit and helps to direct individuals toward achievement of team and organizational goals. Inspires others to do their best, develop professionally, and contribute to the success of the leadership team.
• Provide guidance and support to the operational team to ensure crop and livestock plans are modified as required and implemented in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders.
  
  

Operations Management:

• Utilize Smart Ag technologies and data available to inform crop and livestock planning operational decision making.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders and resources to develop and communicate the annual and three-year crop plan and livestock plan.
• Work with external consultants such as agronomists and nutritionists, as well as custom contractors, to ensure that key operational activities are being met efficiently and with success. Oversee the purchase of operational inputs such as seed, fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide, feed, bedding, veterinary products and replacement breeding stock, as appropriate.
• Annual marketing of harvested grain, forage and animal commodities produced by the Smart Farms.
  
  

Educational Programming & Research:

• Ensure that teaching and learning requirements as they relate to Smart Farm Operations are understood, communicated, and organized for effective course delivery and efficient Smart Farm operations.
• Ensure that applied research and demonstration requirements as they relate to Smart Farm Operations are understood, communicated, and organized for effective project execution and efficient Smart Farm operations.
  
  

Industry Relationships:

• In collaboration with the Development, Academic, and Research teams, build and maintain relationships with companies and organizations that support Smart Farm Operations.
• Professionally represent the College and Smart Farm in meetings and discussions with internal and external stakeholders.
  
  

Facilities, Buildings, and Equipment:

• Provide oversight and management of Smart Farm infrastructure including buildings and equipment.
• Collaborate with Facilities and Grounds teams to ensure that Smart Farm assets and spaces are well maintained.
  
  

Health and Safety:

• Actively promote and reinforce practices that prioritize the well-being and safety of all individuals at Olds College, show a proactive attitude towards safety measures, continuously striving to enhance safety protocols and procedures to ensure the highest standards of protection, collaborate with colleagues to instill a culture of shared responsibility and accountability when it comes to maintaining a safe and secure work setting.
  
  

Administration:

• Ensure that Smart Farm Operations assets and activities are compliant with relevant regulations (e.g.: Occupational Health and Safety, Canadian Council on Animal Care, etc.).
• Implement and manage the annual Smart Farm operations budget which includes revenue from commodities, grant revenue, internal revenue, and enterprise related expenses.
• Develop and keep the farm capital plan up-to-date, ensuring capital purchase requests are submitted and communicated appropriately.
• Utilize appropriate internal systems to ensure service requests are managed and executed.
• Maintain and ensure compliance with an up-to-date Environmental Farm Plan and Verified Beef Plus program.
• Participate in the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and provide oversight and support to ensure the College aligns with animal use guidelines and reporting requirements.
• Participate in additional governance committees as required to ensure the Smart Farm continues to be a valuable asset to the College.
  
  

Education/Experience/Skills/Knowledge Required:

• Diploma or degree in Agricultural Production, Science, Management or a related area is preferred, an equivalent combination of relevant education, skills and experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of experience managing a progressive mixed farming operation with a focus on the use of leading agricultural technologies.
• 5+ years of proven experience in managing teams.
• Computer literacy including experience with Microsoft Office and the Google suite.
• Actively promotes equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout the campus and our communities and serves as a real ally to all.
• Makes decisions with the College’s interests in mind, while demonstrating inclusivity, openness, transparency, civility, and respect.
• Able to stand and bend for long periods of time and lift 50+ lbs.
• Ability to express farm production concepts effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work collaboratively and in team situations.
• Budgeting and financial decision-making ability.
  
  

Conditions Of Employment:

• Current Criminal Reference check that is free of any offenses.
• Must respect and actively promote health and safety policies.
  
  

Olds College offers a competitive benefit plan: (if applicable)

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan (LAPP)
• Extended Health, Dental, and Prescription Drugs benefits
• Health/Personal Spending Account
• Generous Vacation Leave
• Paid Holiday Closure
• ‘Olds College in the Community’ volunteer leave
• Professional development and opportunities for growth, including employee and family tuition waivers
  
  

Open until suitable candidate is found.

We thank all individuals for their interest in this position. We appreciate the time involved for candidates in the application process. At this time, please note only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Olds College is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of any sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.