Farm Operations Assistant — Equine & Facilities

UMass Amherst; Hadley (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Amherst Hadley Farm is seeking an Assistant To Farm Superintendent to support daily operations of CNS CA FE Hadley Farm Research and Education Center. The role includes facility inspection, maintenance, and primary support for equine programs, with emphasis on animal care, safety, and biosecurity.

Responsibilities span daily care of horses, pasture and equipment management, and coordination of veterinary and outreach activities for students and researchers at the Hadley Farm.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of full-time direct experience with care of horses.
• Experience in equine handling, husbandry practices, and related management practices.
• Knowledge of pasture and manure management best practices.
• Basic mechanical operative and maintenance skills and use of agricultural equipment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily facility inspections and maintenance.
• Care for horses and livestock, including feeding, watering, and stall cleaning.
• Coordinate veterinary and outreach appointments; maintain barn calendar.
• Assist with pasture management, equipment operation, and biosecurity protocols.
• Support education and research programs at Hadley Farm and prepare facilities for classes.

Skills

Horse care

Equine handling

Biosecurity

Communication

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Pesticide certification

Farm equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science/Agricultural Science/related field

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Job description

UMass Amherst Hadley Farm is seeking an Assistant To Farm Superintendent to support daily operations of CNS CA FE Hadley Farm Research and Education Center. The role includes facility inspection, maintenance, and primary support for equine programs, with emphasis on animal care, safety, and biosecurity.

Responsibilities span daily care of horses, pasture and equipment management, and coordination of veterinary and outreach activities for students and researchers at the Hadley Farm.