Technical Assistant II Assistant Livestock Barn Manager - Hadley Farm

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public landgrant research university that seeks to expand educational access fuel innovation and creativity and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863 UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1450acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts stateoftheart facilities for teaching research scholarship and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse equitable and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valuedand thrives and offers a full range of undergraduate graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental social economic and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The Assistant Livestock Barn Manager will 1 work closely with the Livestock Barn Manager and the leadership of the Center for Agriculture Food and the Environment (CAFE) to implement daily farm operations and longterm strategic planning 2 participate as part of a team in the daily maintenance of animal health wellbeing and feeding of University livestock and 3 serve as a primary support person for federal capacityfunded research Veterinary and Animal Science program curriculum and public outreach programs conducted at the Hadley Farm.

Essential Functions

Livestock Care:

• Coordinate and participate in the daily care of sheep goats pigs poultry horses and cattle including feeding/providing water and environmental cleaning.
• Assist in the maintenance of animal health including daily observation administration of prescribed treatments and participation in monitoring programs (such as body condition scoring FAMACHA evaluations and parasite fecal flotations).
• Implement standard operating procedures based on evidencebased best management practice protocols provided by the facility.
• Assist with the organization and management of breeding and the subsequent lambing/kidding of approximately 35 ewes/20 does and the farrowing of sows.
• Assist in the organization and preparation of livestock their products and the farm facilities for classes research sales and public outreach events.

Facility and Ground/Pasture Maintenance:

• Conduct daily inspection of farm livestock facilities including barns fences shelters and pastures. Maintain professional standards for cleanliness biosecurity organization and safety.
• Operate equipment and motor vehicles including but not limited to tractors truck/trailer mower UTV and so on to conduct facility maintenance and travel to work sites.
• Assist with the development and implementation of pasture management programs based on the needs and goals of livestock operation and best management practices. Assist with hay and forage production; manage and spread manure; apply pesticides/herbicides as needed.
• Troubleshoot problems with electric fencing shelters water bowls/basic plumbing and basic carpentry. Perform facility maintenance/ repairs/improvements and notify supervisor of needed work orders.

Administrative Duties:

• Maintain detailed production and medical records.
• Regularly inventory supplies feed and medications. Notify supervisor when supplies need to be reordered.
• Schedule train and supervise student workers and review and submit their weekly timesheets.
• Comply with all University Farm Protocols and Biosecurity Guidelines IACUC and Animal Care Guidelines and FDA USDA and state laws.
• Support classroom and laboratory education and research programs that directly involve the livestock the Livestock Barn and the Hadley Farm.
• Assist in the development of curriculum.
• Coach students and employees in daily and routine management chores of the livestock facilities.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork diversity equality and inclusiveness.
• In the performance of work take initiative be creative and operate with selfdirection.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences and the Deans strategic priorities.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge Skills Abilities Education Experience Certifications Licensure)

• Minimum of one 1 year of fulltime direct experience with livestock.
• Experience in animal handling husbandry practices and the management of small ruminants cattle swine and poultry including monitoring and assessing animal health and administering prescribed treatments.
• Knowledge and experience in the implementation of livestock feeding regimens based on best management practices.
• Experience with lambing/kidding and resolving small ruminant dystocias.
• Experience with pasture and manure management best practices.
• Basic mechanical operative and maintenance skills including the use of hand / power tools. Experience with the use of agricultural equipment necessary to support livestock agricultural operations.
• Excellent communication interpersonal and organizational skills and the ability to use software such as word processing and spreadsheets.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team work productively with a diverse population and to resolve problems or conflicts. Prior experience working independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities.
• Valid drivers license.
• Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator Private Certification or ability to receive certification within one 1 year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge Skills Abilities Education Experience Certifications Licensure)

• Bachelors degree in Animal Science Agricultural Science or a related field.
• Three 3 to five 5 years direct experience with livestock including one 1 year fulltime.
• Experience with the direct supervision of staff in an agricultural setting.
• Experience in setting goals formulating plans and objectives and working with colleagues to identify and implement process improvements.
• Enthusiasm interest and experience in teaching and public outreach.
• Experience answering agricultural questions from farmers and other stakeholders.
• Experience in the development of small ruminant feed regimen pasture management and manure management plans.
• Experience in the operation of the farm equipment: tractors loaders skid steers bush hogs sprayers mowers and whackers. Experience in the calibration and maintenance of this equipment.
• Experience with the harvesting of forage (hay) including the use of mower tedder rake and round baler. Experience with the calibration and maintenance of this equipment.
• Experience with snow removal and the use of frontend loaders.
• Knowledge of biosecurity principles and common diseases that affect ruminants.
• Experience collecting biological samples from livestock including blood and milk.
• Experience using hand and electric shearers in shearing sheep.
• Prior experience attaching driving and reversing a livestock truck and trailer.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• The ability to balance carry pull/push stand bend climb drive reach sit twist and perform repetitive motion.
• The ability to lift 50 pounds.
• The ability to work in adverse weather conditions such as extreme heat cold and precipitation.

Additional Details

• This position is designated as essential personnel.
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays.
• Availability after normal working hours for emergencies related to weather animal care or student/employee injuries.

Work Schedule

Thursday Monday; 7AM 3PM.

Salary Information

USA/MTA Grade 14.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three 3 professional references.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race color religion caste creed sex age marital status national origin disability political belief or affiliation pregnancy and pregnancyrelated condition(s) veteran status sexual orientation gender identity and expression genetic information natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment admission to and participation in academic programs activities and services and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities women persons with disabilities and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes rules and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.