Farm Manager

North Carolina Community College System; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina Community College System seeks a Farm Manager to work with the Director of Agriculture Programs and field lab staff. You will ensure tasks are completed to meet objectives across various agricultural areas.

The role provides field management, coordination, and support at all facilities. Essential duties include overseeing greenhouse operations, crop management, and data collection, as well as applying treatments and maintaining equipment.

Qualifications

• Strong written communication skills for reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to present information to administrators, faculty, students, and the public.
• Spanish language preferred where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee high tunnel and greenhouse operation, production, and management.
• Manage field crops, vegetables, fruit, and animal specimens and maintain lab space as a farm system.
• Apply treatments according to protocol including pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation.
• Operate agricultural equipment to prepare fields, apply treatments and harvest crops.
• Coordinate maintenance of equipment and facilities and assist with repairs.
• Assist with plot layout, treatments, and data collection.

Skills

Written communication

Oral presentation

Spanish language (preferred)

Education

Associate Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy or related field

Public Pesticide Applicators License

Driver’s License

Job description

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy or a related field
• Experience in sustainable and organic production that may include horticulture crops, grains, cover crops, greenhouses, and livestock.
• Hold Public Pesticide Applicators License or obtain credential upon hire.
• Hold a valid Driver’s License.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret policies, procedures, and governmental regulations.

• Strong written communication skills for preparing reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, faculty, students, and the public.
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee works indoors and in the agricultural field lab, greenhouse, and animal facility.
• The work environment typically has a moderate to loud noise level.
• Evening and weekend hours are required to support the field lab and animal facilities.

Physical Demands:

• The employee must be able to occasionally stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• The position requires occasional lifting or carrying of agricultural or animal related materials and equipment up to 60 pounds.
• Effective communication with students, faculty, and staff is essential.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Years of Experience, Skills, Training, and Education

• Highly motivated and independent worker who has the ability to take direction as well as to independently problem solve and make decisions, as needed
• Ability to prioritize tasks is necessary, while considering input from multiple participants and availability of labor and equipment.
• Two to three years’ production experience is highly desirable.

Position Description

THIS POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

The Farm Manager will work closely with Director of Agriculture Programs and field lab technicians to ensure that all tasks are completed as needed to meet the objectives of the different agricultural areas. The Farm Manager position provides field management, coordination, and support at all BCC agriculture facilities.

Examples of Duties:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee high tunnel and greenhouse operation, production, and management.
• Oversee the establishment, maintenance, and disposition of the field crops, vegetables, fruit, and animal specimens while maintaining the lab space so that it functions as a whole farm system, providing the base of education and outreach activities.
• Applying treatments according to protocol including pesticides, fertilizers and irrigation.
• Operating a wide variety of agriculture equipment to prepare fields, apply treatments and harvest crops.
• Oversee the maintenance of equipment and facilities. Work with Director of Facilities to coordinate needed repairs.
• Assisting with plot layout, implementation of treatments, and collection and recording of data.
• Hand planting and harvesting field lab.
• Working with various types of irrigation equipment including setup and maintenance.
• Assisting with maintenance of field plots and other tasks.
• Demonstrate production techniques for tours, workshops, and education programs.
• Maintain records of seed, feed, and equipment and submit order requests to Director of Agriculture Programs.
• Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position may supervise work-study students or part-time staff.