Livestock Supervisor - Morris, MN

Reporting To: Adrienne Hilbrands
Pay Range: $31.00 - $33.00 (0.80 - 0.85)
Appointment Type: 12-Month Full-time
Location: WEST CENTRAL RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)

This is a full time, continuing position located at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), Morris, MN. The position reports to the WCROC Farm Manager. UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center is a 1,100 acre research farm located near Morris, MN with approximately 500 acres of pasture and 600 acres of crops. As an active farming operation, WCROC has research programs in the areas of Dairy, Horticulture, Renewable Energy, and Swine. WCROC research has national and international impact. The dairy and swine systems require daily care 365 days of the year. The cropping systems provide feed, forage, and bedding for the dairy and swine programs as well as serving as a research platform. A unique aspect of WCROC is the in-house production of certified organic crops and pasture to support certified organic dairy and swine research and production.

The Livestock Supervisor is responsible for excellence in the research and production of dairy and swine. The Livestock Supervisor works closely with the Farm Manager, Facility Supervisor, Director of Operations, and Faculty to provide exceptional care of the livestock, oversee and execute livestock research protocols, and work as a team to ensure the seamless operations of the WCROC farm operations, research, and outreach activities.

Worker safety and health and animal welfare will be the highest priorities for this position. The Livestock Supervisor will strive to develop and maintain a positive and inclusive culture and a productive work environment.

Please note this position is not H1-B eligible.

Skills and Competencies of a Successful Candidate

• Excellent management and communication skills
• Effective in supervising staff and students
• Collaborate closely with faculty, research leaders, Director of Operations, and take direction from the Farm Manager to execute the missions, goals, and objectives of the WCROC
• Capable of troubleshooting and responding quickly to changing conditions and environments within livestock operations
• Have deep knowledge and understanding of research methods to maintain and deliver high-accuracy and impactful research results.
• Ensure the highest level of integrity within the compliance areas of organic certification, milk quality assurance testing, food safety, manure management and feedlot permitting and reporting, and safety training and compliance of facilities and staff.

Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages):
Essential Functions
1. Livestock Operations Supervision (55%)

• Oversee livestock production including but not limited;
  • Daily milking of dairy cows, maintain milk quality standards,
  • Feeding and bedding of dairy and swine, manage dairy grazing,
  • Health monitoring and treatment of cows and pigs
  • Breeding of cows and pigs
  • Monitor inventories of feed and quality of feed stocks, oversee ration formulation,
  • Troubleshooting critical equipment and facility issues, ensuring timely and adequate response to emergencies
  • Monitoring equipment necessary for the daily care and welfare of livestock, marketing of livestock and milk
  • Recording of data into herd management software
  • Record keeping in a searchable and transferable data base form
  • Adherence to regulated aspects including organic certification of dairy and swine, IACUC, food safety, and manure / nutrient / water quality permitting.
  • Oversees livestock equipment and facilities maintenance, repair, sourcing (purchasing and leasing), and scheduling.
• Participates in planning and oversight of feed, bedding, and pasture production including but not limited to;
  • Maintaining feed inventories, harvest of forage and grain,
  • Maintenance of hard copy and digital records including information needed for organic certifications,
  • Adherence to regulated aspects including organic certification of pastures, feed, forage, and bedding,pesticide permitting and storage, and manure and soil testing for nutrient reporting / manure management.
  • Participates in oversight of livestock equipment and facilities maintenance, repair, sourcing (purchasing and leasing.
• With the Farm Manager, participate in the supervision of the livestock staff and student workers including;
  • Training and coaching staff
  • Setting work and leave schedules
  • Performing employee evaluations
  • Ensuring adherence to labor contracts
  • Assigning tasks and overtime as determined necessary
  • Communicating overtime and call-ins with appropriate staff
  • Recommending hiring, pay increase, disciplinary action, and termination
• Responsible for setting goals, objectives, expectations, and fostering a positive work climate.
• Participates on a team to oversee livestock aspects of site and facility management including but not limited to;
  • Environmental health and safety
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Capital projects
  • Snow and ice removal
  • Exterior and interior finishes, furnishings, generators, and motors
  • Feed, manure, and livestock handling
• Duties that support the overall center operations

2. Research Oversight (40%)

• Responsible for implementing and executing research protocols in livestock production, and research that intersects with other programs.
• Ensure the collection of accurate data and samples for both operations and research projects.
• Oversees the recording of data and cataloging of samples in a digital and transferable database or downloading data from portable or mounted units or cloud based systems.
• Actively participates in research activities to ensure quality control and application of technical training and experience.
• Participates or assists on analysis of data, preparation, transfer, and-/- or testing of samples, writing of materials, methods, and or results.
• Oversees tracking, weighing, and harvesting meat and milk as protocols require.
• Provides oversight, training, coaching, and technical expertise to staff and students conducting research.
• Serve as a front-line manager to ensure and guarantee responsible and high quality research products along the entire chain from front-line workers to students to faculty.
• Potential to lead research in areas of specific technical ability or in areas of need or special interest to stakeholders.
• Participate in stakeholder and-/-or research team meetings.
• Participate in WCROC, ROC, CFANS, and UMN meetings as requested.
• Provides direction, oversight, and training in the use of precision agricultural tools for dairy and swine.

3. Outreach (5%)

• Lead groups of visitors (including children and students) on tours explaining livestock care, research, and other farm activities.
• Represent the WCROC and UMN at various meetings and conferences to various stakeholder groups.
• Participate in advisory committee meetings, ROC / CFANS / UMN meetings and committees as requested.
  
  

Required

• BA/BS degree plus at least five years of relevant agricultural experience or related field, or advanced degree plus at least three years of relevant agricultural experience, or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least nine years.
• Documented professional supervisory experience.
  

Preferred

• BS / BA / MS / MA degree in animal science, vet science, or related field.
• Experience in an agricultural research setting including data collection and analysis, and technical writing (publications).
• Demonstrated experience with certified organic production systems.
• Demonstrated capability in fiscal management.
• Demonstrated organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience organizing teams and providing leadership.
• Livestock management experience including marketing, purchasing, inventory, and regulatory aspects.
• Commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Pay Range: $31.00 - $33.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

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