Farm Operations Foreman

University Of Idaho; Kimberly (ID); On-site; USD 44,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Idaho's Kimberly Research and Extension Center in the Magic Valley seeks an experienced operations manager to oversee field activities, equipment usage, and daily operations supporting agricultural research on potatoes, beets, beans, and more.

You will hire, train, and supervise farm staff; manage production protocols; ensure safety, record-keeping, and compliance with pesticide licensing; require a driver’s license and ability to operate university vehicles; flexibility to

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of supervisory experience in an agricultural setting.
• Four years of agricultural experience.
• Must have a driver’s license and ability to drive university vehicles.
• Possess restricted pesticide applicator’s license and chemigation applicator’s license or ability to obtain within three months.
• Ability to work nonstandard hours, including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, and supervise farm staff.
• Manage complex plant production protocols for research.
• Maintain safety practices and keep records.
• Oversee irrigation farming and farm equipment maintenance.
• Support research projects and Center operations.

Skills

Teamwork

Safety compliance

Record keeping

Irrigated farming

Farm management

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Established in 1950, the Kimberly Research & Extension Center encompasses 194 acres of irrigated land, four greenhouses, laboratories, a seed processing and storage facility, and a potato storage research complex.

KREC provides research and extension programs that support agriculture for the eight counties of the Magic Valley. Research teams investigate disease management techniques, potato storage practices, plant-insect interactions and biological control, and weed management practices.

Position Overview

This role manages all field, equipment, and operational aspects of the University of Idaho’s Kimberly Research and Extension Center ( KREC in the Magic Valley. This position is essential to supporting high-quality research projects and the overall mission of the Center, which focuses on agricultural research in crops like potatoes, sugar beets, dry beans, and more.

Duties may include:

• Hiring, training, and supervising farm staff
• Managing complex plant production protocols for research
• Two years of experience supervising in an agricultural setting
• Four years of agricultural experience
• Experience in:
  • working in a team environment to accomplish shared goals
  • following safety practices
  • keeping records
  • irrigated farming
  • farm management techniques, including equipment operation, maintenance, and crop management practices

Required Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent

Required Other

• Must have a driver’s license and ability to meet requirements for driving university vehicles
• Possess a limited (private) pesticide applicator’s license and chemigation applicator’s license or the ability to obtain these licenses within three months
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including weekends and holidays

Additional Preferred

• Degree in agriculture, agronomy, mechanics, or related field
• Knowledge of the requirements of field research
• Experience running, troubleshooting, and affecting minor repairs of farm equipment, tools, and machinery
• Knowledge of proper chemical application safety procedures

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Must be able to:
  • Work in adverse environmental conditions and with toxic chemicals
  • Sit for long periods of time in a tractor
  • Climb ladders, bend, and stoop
  • Lift, carry, or otherwise move items weighing up to 75 pounds
  • Stand and walk continuously throughout the workday
  • Work in inclement weather conditions

Degree Requirement

Degree Requirement Listed degree qualification is required at time of application

Posting Information

• FLSA Status
• FLSA Status Non-Exempt
• Employee Category
• Employee Category Classified
• Pay Range $24.79 per hour or higher depending on experience
• Type of Appointment
• Type of Appointment Fiscal Year
• FTE
• 1.0
• Full Time/Part Time
• Full Time/Part Time Full Time
• Funding
• Funding This position is contingent upon the continuation of work and/or funding.
• A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy.
• A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy. No
• Posting Date
• Posting Date 09/28/2026
• Closing Date
• Open Until Filled Yes

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Academic Careers
  • Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
  • Chronicle
  • Facebook
  • HigherEd/Academic Impressions
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Idaho Department of Labor/Job Service including Job Central or Idaho Works (Idahoworks.gov)
  • Indeed.com
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other Venue
  • Professional Listservs (Ex: NACUBO, AAAE, ISMC, etc.)
  • University of Idaho Website
  • University of Idaho Daily Register
  • University of Idaho Employee
  • Word of Mouth
  • Militaryjob.com
  • DSPSjobs.com
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
• * Were you referred to this employment opportunity by a current University of Idaho employee? If so, please provide their name and department.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you currently authorized to work in the United States of America?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you now, or in the future require sponsorship through the University of Idaho to continue working in the United States?
  • Yes
  • No