Farm Operations Manager

JOB GOAL:

To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

Kirkwood Community College is seeking an individual responsible for the day-to-day operation of the farm learning laboratory and student employees. The farm laboratory consists of approximately 600 acres of corn, soybean, and pasture; 300 head beef feedlot and cow/calf herd; 50 sow farrow to finish operation; and a veterinary technician large animal skills lab. This position will be responsible for the planning, organizing, and daily operations of agricultural enterprises working collaboratively with program faculty, staff, and administration. Faculty members provide direction for their respective enterprises, and this position supports the execution of daily operations. Additionally, this position collaborates with Facilities to maintain a 130 acre off site farm property. The successful candidate should have practical agricultural production experience, strong equipment operation and maintenance skills, collaborate positively with others, and the ability to work independently and effectively in a hands-on environment.

The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm with seasonal changes.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.

Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.

Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.

Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.

Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain regular and consistent attendance at work. Be available for the seasonal schedule required by farm operations, including weekends as needed.

Perform day-to-day farm operations (i.e., crop production, livestock care, and other seasonal activities).

Monitor budgets, financial plans, and records while demonstrating fiscal responsibility in the use of farm resources.

Assist in preparing and carryout of annual crop and livestock management plan.

Provide assistance in the development and carryout of an enterprise commodity marketing plan.

Responsible for governmental program compliance and documentation in collaboration with faculty and staff.

Responsible for daily work schedule staffing. Weekday and weekends included.

Responsible for equipment inventory and maintenance of equipment.

Collaborate with faculty, administration, students, and industry partners to support farm operations and hands on learning activities.

Communicate with neighbors, city officials, and other stakeholders regarding farm activities.

Supervise non-faculty staff.

Responsible for safety in regards to equipment, livestock and facility usage, condition, operation, and process.

Collaborate with Facilities and appropriate personnel in the operation and maintenance of off-site farm property.

Perform other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

Ability to work in a cross-functional team-based environment and collaborate with others in setting goals and problem solving.

Be able and willing to represent the college in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve.

Establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, administrators, and the general public.

Assume responsibility; deal effectively with problems and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.

Be able to work effectively in both an individual role involving independent judgment, as well as in a team role involving shared input and decision-making.

Must be able to work effectively in an environment where interruptions of work in progress occur frequently, where work on multiple projects is common, and where timelines on project completion are tight.

Must be able to have flexibility in schedule to include evenings and weekends.

Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Position involves working in an outdoor and office setting. Occasional (10-33%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Frequent (34-66%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Exposure to noise, dust, fumes, gasses, cold, heat, rain, snow, hazardous chemicals, contact with machinery, operating farm equipment. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking, and hearing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Associates degree in agricultural related field with 3 years agriculture production/management experience in crop and livestock production OR 7 years agriculture production/management experience in crop and livestock production with high school diploma.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Valid Driver’s License.

• This position requires a valid driver's license and participation in continuous Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring. Your driving record will be verified initially and monitored on an ongoing basis as a condition of employment.

Ability to earn Commercial Driver’s License and Iowa Pesticide Applicators License within 1 year.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in agricultural related field.

Commercial Driver’s License and Iowa Pesticide Applicators License

EEO/AA STATEMENT:

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404,319-398-5572,equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone:(303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email:OCR.Denver@ed.gov.

WHY KIRKWOOD:
Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.