Farm Shop Manager*, Carvel Education and Research Center

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Job No: 503120
Work Type: Staff
Location: Georgetown, DE
Categories: Research & Laboratory, Full Time

PAY GRADE
: 29N

The Carvel Research and Education Center (CREC), located in Georgetown, Delaware serves as the southern agricultural experiment station for the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. CREC encompasses the Thurman Adams Jr. Agricultural Research Farm (347 acres) and the Warrington Irrigation Research Farm (120 acres), both of which serve as primary locations for field crop research in many agronomic, vegetable, and fruit crops.

CREC also supports many off‑farm research projects conducted across the state.

Under limited supervision from the Farm Manager, this position serves as the head of the CREC farm shop, providing leadership, supervision, operational data analysis, and coordination of all equipment and vehicle maintenance and repairs. The position also serves as the head of shop safety on the CREC facility safety committee, providing training recommendations, maintenance, supply inventory and records, and waste monitoring of shop materials.

In addition, this position performs and coordinates farm field operations using precision agriculture technologies at the CREC farm and off‑farm locations across the state and provides supervision to full and part‑time personnel working within the farm shop. The principal emphasis with this position is on highly skilled farm maintenance and maintenance shop management and supervisory activities. Independent judgment is required to assess, prioritize, and schedule timely completion of repairs.

Analytical skills to evaluate equipment performance, fuel consumption, and cost of operation to make recommendations for future replacements and upgrades.

• Provide strategic leadership and supervision of equipment operations by managing and mentoring technical staff, coordinating daily maintenance activities, establishing performance standards, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the lifecycle management of agricultural equipment, including the development and implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance programs, optimization of equipment utilization, and integration of telematics and computerized maintenance management systems to enhance reliability and operational efficiency.
• Conduct advanced financial and technical analyses of equipment operating costs, including total cost of ownership, depreciation, fuel and maintenance expenses, and performance metrics to support data‑driven budgeting and resource allocation. Lead all planning, scheduling, and implementation of farm machinery, vehicle, and shop maintenance and repairs on the following: fleet vehicles, trailers, class A trucks, farm tractors, planters, combines, sprayers, mowers, and numerous pieces of field tillage equipment.
  • Perform standard preventive maintenance services such as oil changes, chassis lubrication, and overall vehicle inspections.
  • Conduct electronic engine analysis and specialized tests to maintain emissions, safety, AC, and data collection systems.
  • Diagnose major engine and drivetrain issues.
• Take appropriate action regarding emergency repairs or replacements regarding equipment and vehicles, including working directly with researchers on identifying specifications on such equipment to support the research programs associated with crop production.
• Operate and troubleshoot problems on all agricultural research equipment. This can include transport of equipment.
• Maintain inventory and maintenance records for all shop and machinery parts and supplies, including specialized research components supporting the precision agriculture technologies. Direct inventory and procurement functions, ensuring accurate asset tracking, optimal parts and supplies…