Departmental Assistant - Center Agriculture, Food, Environment Farm Facilities

Overview

Title: Departmental Assistant - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment Farm Facilities

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences

Department: Center for Agriculture

Work Location: South Deerfield

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary Serves to support the daily operations of the UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) Farm Facilities, primarily at the Crop and Animal Research and Education Farm. Performs a variety of functions including but not limited to maintenance and repair of facilities, grounds, and equipment.

• Operates motor vehicles and equipment necessary to support farm operations and maintenance, including tractors with front end loaders, plows, harrows, seeders, cultivators, mowers, snowplows, and trucks with attached trailers.
• Operates manual, electric, air, and motorized power tools.
• Provides general labor for routine equipment maintenance and annual servicing of equipment.
• Assists in fabrication and more advanced equipment repairs.
• Participates in daily inspection of facilities to ensure safety and security; notifies supervisor of any potential issues immediately.
• Maintains grounds as directed—mows and trims lawns, maintains and repairs fences, assists with road maintenance.
• Maintains a high standard of organization and cleanliness of shops, barns, and related facilities as directed.
• Assists with the establishment and maintenance of field research projects at CAFE farm facilities; ensures proper research protocols are followed and maintains research integrity and learning objectives related to crops and animals.
• Participates in the care of farm animals (primarily cattle) as needed, including feeding, watering, transport, and cleaning of pens.

• Work collaboratively to promote teamwork, equality, and inclusiveness.
• Work with CNS community and campus partners to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

• Minimum Qualifications
• High School Diploma.
• One (1) year of agricultural work experience in an agronomic, vegetable, turf, livestock, or similar field.
• One (1) year of experience in operation of farm equipment including tractors, loaders, tillage equipment, general landscape equipment, etc.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to operate farm equipment and machinery.
• Ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction in a fast-paced agricultural environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to organize and prioritize goals; ability to collaborate to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall college goals; ability to identify and implement process improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to set and meet deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.

• Preferred Qualifications
• Three (3) or more years of experience in an agronomic, vegetable, turf, livestock, or similar field.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in the operation of farm equipment including tractors, loaders, tillage equipment, general landscape equipment, etc.
• Basic automotive and/or agricultural equipment maintenance and repair experience.
• Basic carpentry skills.
• Experience installing agricultural fence (woven, barbed, and/or electric wire).
• Experience with ARC and/or MIG welding.
• Experience operating a truck-mounted snowplow and/or using a front-end loader to remove snow.
• Experience driving a truck with attached trailer.

Work is performed in indoor and/or outdoor environments and requires frequent lifting, bending, tool use, or equipment use. May involve work in confined spaces or at heights.

Monday – Friday; 7 AM – 3 PM, Flexible.

Hourly Rate: 18-22

Along with application, please submit a resume.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.