Assistant Farm Manager

Assistant Farm Manager

Job No: 538173

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Alachua

Categories: Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support, Veteran's Preference Eligible, Agriculture Operations

Department:  - AG-DAIRY RESEARCH UNIT

Classification

Title:

Farm Supervisor

Classification

Minimum Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent and three years of experience working on an agricultural operation, including supervision of others. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required years of experience.

The Department of Animal Sciences is seeking an Assistant Farm Manager. This position will serve as milking parlor supervisor and assistant herd manager. The individual will be supervised by the Agricultural Food Scientist III and be responsible for maintaining herd records, oversight of milking parlor operations, maternity and newborn calf care, and administering treatments prescribed by the herd veterinarian. This position serves as the back-up to the Ag/Food Scientist III (Dairy Unit Manager) and has the authority to act on their behalf in their absence.

• The individual will provide leadership and oversight to milking parlor operations. This includes supervision, training and evaluating procedures of personnel working in the milking parlor. It also includes monitoring milk quality, detection, prevention, and treatment of mastitis, monitoring the operation and cleaning of milking equipment as set forth in the Dairy Unit SOPs, ensuring that the parlor area is properly maintained and milk load-out is consistent and compliant.
  
  The individual must be knowledgeable about state and federal requirements for sale of milk and work with the Agricultural Food Scientist III to ensure the farm passes state and federal inspections. Serves as the back-up to the Ag/Food Scientist III (Dairy Unit Manager) and has the authority to act on their behalf in their absence.
• The individual will be responsible for maintaining herd written and electronic herd records, such as veterinary reports, calving records, and breeding records. The individual must be knowledgeable of Dairy Comp and Afi Farm record keeping systems in regard to input of data, and use of the systems to manage animals. It is essential for this position to work closely with the Agricultural Food Scientist III and herd veterinarian to maintain accurate animal records.
• Transition cow and newborn calf care. The individual will be responsible for ensuring that the SOP for ‘dry-off' procedures, vaccinations, ‘fresh cow' care and neonatal care as set forth in the Dairy Unit SOP. The individual will also oversee feeding and care of newborn calves and coordinate the transport of replacement heifers to and from the dairy unit. Driving will be required.
• Breeding cows in heat using the Aficollar monitoring system.
• Oversees general herd care, such as routine hoof trimming, administration of treatments prescribed by the herd veterinarian, and ensuring cows are clean, calm and comfortable.
• Covering milking and needed field operations duties when necessary.
• Counsels employees as needed on job performance, trains new personnel and ensures employees comply with animal ethics expectations as set forth in the Dairy Unit SOPs.
• Normal schedule is Sunday to Thursday 5:30 - 2:00 PM for a total of 40 hour per week. This is an essential position and the schedule can vary as needs change.

Expected Salary: $55,000 - $65,000 annually; commensurate with experience

Required Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent and three years of experience working on an agricultural operation, including supervision of others. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required years of experience.

Valid Florida driver's license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Preferred:

• 2-5 years of proven track record of relevant agricultural operation management, and personnel management.
• 3 years of experience managing and supervising a multi personnel dairy operation. Ability to plan and direct a dairy cattle and farming operation;…