Wildcat Farm Manager

Central Washington University is recruiting a Wildcat Farm manager to join ourCWU Wildcat Farm team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the  academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Rent Cafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more:
Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

The Role:

The Wildcat Farm Manager provides strategic leadership and oversees the management, coordination, production, and continual development for Central Washington University's (CWU) six-acre Wildcat Farm. This position is responsible for managing day-to-day farm operations, production, and educational programming as well as student engagement, business development, community partnerships, marketing, and communications at the Wildcat Farm. This position will support CWU's efforts to transform the Wildcat Farm into a sustainable living laboratory, which will enhance opportunities for applied research, workforce development, new and existing community partnerships, and sustainable agricultural operations.

The Farm Manager will help develop the Wildcat Farm into a financially viable, outdoor educational hub and bolster the student experience through education, employment, and volunteer initiatives.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Farm Operations, Production, and

Education:


- Lead, manage, and oversee all aspects of CWU's Wildcat Farm, including farm production fields, high tunnel production areas, community garden, livestock/chickens, apiary, irrigation, composting, sustainability initiatives, sustainable farming education, and community programs.
- Develop and implement high-volume, climate-smart farm production plans that support education objectives and revenue goals.
- Manage and strategically expand the existing Community Supported Agriculture program for the CWU and Ellensburg Community.
- Establish and manage a consistent Farm Stand on campus.
- Purchase tools, supplies, and operate farm equipment.
- Support students as they develop and implement CWU Student Green Fund projects located at the Wildcat Farm.
- Collaborate with the Sustainability Director and faculty to incorporate sustainable farm-based learning into academic programming.
- Support and coordinate student internships, applied educational activities, and experiential learning opportunities.
- Provide expertise that supports curriculum development focused on sustainable farming, agriculture, food systems, and circular economies.
- Provide Wildcat Farm tours and facilitate educational sustainable farming workshops.
- Partner with the CWU Wildcat Pantry to minimize student food insecurity.
- Work with community food pantries to address food insecurity in the broader Ellensburg community.
- May be required to operate company owned vehicle in congested areas.

Business Development, Community Outreach, and Communications:
-Manage the Wildcat Farm operational budget;
Develop revenue projections and annual reports.
- Identify, develop, and establish revenue-generating opportunities, including but not limited to produce sales and workshops.
- Pursue grant opportunities, sponsor ships, donations, and other external funding opportunities.
- Build and maintain existing partnerships with campus entities, Ellensburg School District, tribal…