Manager of Farm Operations

Manager of Farm Operations

Amherst Campus
Full Time
JR4916

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites you to apply for the Manager of Farm Operations position. The Manager of Farm Operations is a full-time position, starting at $63,000 per year - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

The Manager of Farm Operations will be responsible for all aspects of planning and operating the Book & Plow, a student-centered community farm that grows vegetables. This requires creating a farm that provides a safe, positive, and educational environment for students who visit the farm for work-study, summer internships, and community experiences, as well as management of farm staff and land through planning, cultivation, and harvest. This position supports the Presidential institutional priorities of enhancing student belonging, making the College a better place to work, and impacting the greater Good through our community impact. This role collaborates with many campus constituents including Dining Services, Landscape and Grounds to maintain agricultural land owned by the college; Student Activities to coordinate campus events; and Development, Communications and Grants to promote the Farm's work. This role takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Program Direction

• Leads long term vision of dynamic farm programs including student leadership, farm operations and sustainable land stewardship.
• Hire, supervise, and mentor professional staff and teams of student employees along with managing performance planning.
• Develop and administer operating and capital budgets.
• Applies for grants and maintains relationships with donors and The Office of Advancement.
• Manage data collection and reporting on farm to allow transparency, educational opportunities and community input on farm challenges and system improvements.

Farm Operations and Management

• Plan and manage crop production to maximize the use of farm produce.
• Manage day-to-day operations of farm, set work schedules, track progress and quality of work including; greenhouse seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, crop care, harvest and washing.
• Supports when needed the assistant farm manager in organizing field prep and cover crop programs and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
• Maintain and operate tractors and other farm vehicles.
• Manage auxiliary agricultural land including lease arrangements with area farmers to ensure proper care and maintenance in line with the agricultural practices of the farm.
• Administer and approve the annual farm budget, invoices, and sales to Dining Services and Amherst College Community.
• Manage data collection and reporting to allow transparency, educational opportunities and community input on farm challenges and system improvements.
• Supervise the Assistant Farm Manager and farm staff in fulfilling the operations of the farm

Student, Campus and Community Engagement

• Maintain the farm core site as a community space.
• Liaise with community partners for visits to the farm and student engagement opportunities.
• Provide a pick-your-own garden for our campus community.
• Support student-driven research and projects, such as special topics courses and the Mellon Grant design thinking challenge.
• Teach and lead seeding, planting and cultivating crops, as well as harvesting and washing crops.
• Train and supervise in maintenance and operation of tractors and farm infrastructure and equipment.
• Allow students the opportunity to explore their own interests as part of their student-farmer experience.
• Develop student leadership in farm/campus/community programming.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in education, environmental studies, or agriculture, or commensurate experience.
• A valid driver's license and successful credentialing is required in order to operate college vehicles.
• Supervision and leadership skills.
• Experience in creating and managing budgets.
• 4 years of experience working on a farm, with at least 2 years of experience working as a farm manager or assistant farm manager in vegetable production.
• Knowledge of organic farming practices and pest management.
• Problem solving and analytical skills including computer proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Suite
• Strong written and verbal, interpersonal, customer service, time management and organizational skills
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical/lift test.
• Commitment to or experience working with a diverse community.

Preferred:

• Related higher education or professional experience preferred
  
  Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.
  
  Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.
  
  Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs . Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Career icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
  
  
  To apply, visit https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Amherst-Campus/Manager-of-Farm-Operations_JR4916-1
  
  
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