Farm and Site Operations Manager

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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Job Summary
The UBC Farm is a 24-hectare teaching research and community farm located on the unceded ancestral territory of the Musqueam people at the University of British Columbias Vancouver campus. Embodying UBCs aspiration to be a living laboratory the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm provides experiential learning opportunities for students community members and the general public and strives to explore and exemplify how land food and community are brought together to create healthy and sustainable food systems. The UBC farm site includes cultivated field areas greenhouses second-growth forest and trails research plots landscaped areas for public events a childrens garden Indigenous gardens hedgerows and a variety of interspersed green spaces roadways buildings and outbuildings. The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems operates a revenue-generating farm operation at the UBC Farm and maintaining high levels of consistent marketable farm products is essential for the financial sustainability of this unique research teaching and community resource. More information about the CSFS at UBC Farm can be found at .

The Farm and Site Operations Manager provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for the UBC Farm stewarding the site as a healthy agro-ecosystem high-functioning research and learning facility and welcoming public landscape. The role translates CSFS priorities into clear annual work plans; oversees diversified production and sales to sustain program revenues; and leads maintenance of fields greenhouses equipment and infrastructure. The manager directs site services and logistics including space allocation access events and user support while ensuring health safety and regulatory compliance. They recruit coach and coordinate a multidisciplinary staff and student team; partner with researchers instructors and community program leads; and develop budgets records and KPIs that guide operational and land-use decisions. Through continuous improvement and careful resource management this position safeguards farm resilience supports academic excellence and delivers reliable service to the many users of the UBC Farm.

Organizational Status
Reports to the CSFS Director. Manages a team of up to six direct staff reports ten indirect staff reports and twenty student employees. Makes up part of the Management Team for the CSFS; collaborates with other members of the management team on strategic and operational decision-making processes.

Supports researchers and instructors active at the UBC Farm. Liaises with CSFS at UBC Farm staff LFS faculty and staff undergraduate and graduate students UBC faculty program coordinators suppliers and various University departments (e.g. UBC Facilities) to ensure ongoing and timely services for the CSFS at UBC Farm.

Work Performed
Manage day-to-day operations of the UBC Farm and affiliated sites ensuring alignment with CSFS strategic goals and annual work plans.

Develop annual work plans with measurable site and farm goals; translate CSFS strategic priorities into land-based activities and operational milestones.

Lead the UBC Farm Land Committee to set long-term land-use plans aligned with CSFS priorities.

Oversee land stewardship and production across annual and perennial field crops greenhouse production forest products herbs cut flowers vegetable seeds and poultry; direct processing storage sales and distribution through scale-appropriate channels (e.g. farmers markets CSA direct sales donations).

Plan and deliver facility maintenance and site services including irrigation installation/management mowing pest management hoop-house construction/maintenance hedgerows poultry care invasive-species control compost/waste systems machinery upkeep trails and landscape improvements.

Manage space allocation site access/parking/signage noise mitigation and event/rental logistics; ensure appropriate furnishings storage and equipment organization.

Supervise delivery of site services and administrative activities (site rentals equipment/space booking and land-based project administration).

Develop implement and regularly update operational policies procedures and administrative systems (including health and safety land-use protocols equipment/space booking and records management).

Represent CSFS on the LFS Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee; ensure regular inspections by the Local Safety Team and timely resolution of identified concerns.

Manage the operational budget and annual sales activities; analyze financial information prepare forecasts and develop annual budgets (including sales targets).

Provide budget updates and forecasts; ensure revenue expense and cost-of-goods recording supports decision-making and reporting.

Oversee purchasing and inventory for field sales and maintenance supplies (e.g. seeds irrigation amendments pest control packaging fuel merchandise tools); negotiate and manage contracts and agreements.

Plan and budget for major infrastructure and equipment needs; oversee renovations and manage contractor and vendor performance.

Manage projects related to farm and site enhancements (capital improvements renovations equipment upgrades) including scope timeline budget procurement and stakeholder communication.

Manage farm and site staff: update job descriptions and unit policies; hire onboard develop coach evaluate and offboard employees.

Establish annual goals and performance expectations; coach staff to achieve operational safety and service outcomes.

Provide first-level advice on HR matters and ensure compliance with UBC/CSFS policies and applicable regulations.

Manage volunteers practicum participants and student employees to support operations and learning outcomes.

Support researchers with experimental design; establish maintenance work plans track land use and invoice annual fees per MOUs.

Support educators with experiential learning (undergraduate labs volunteer programs practicum) and advise students on non-academic site matters.

Coordinate with community program leaders to ensure safe equitable and effective site use; manage special events as required.

Ensure consistent auditable field production and sales records for academic and operational use; develop dashboards and metrics to track progress toward annual goals and prepare operational financial and land-use reports for CSFS leadership.

Monitor KPIs (production sales safety service levels); implement process improvements and risk mitigations.

Contribute to strategic planning land stewardship and academic policy development; participate in grant writing and support as needed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Makes decisions regarding management of human and financial resources contracts and administrative policies. Effective stewardship of the UBC Farm site and management of CSFS farm operations are critical to the success of the CSFS and its partners. The academic and financial goals of the CSFS are dependent on the UBC Farm being stewarded as a healthy agro-ecosystem an innovative learning and research facility and a unique and inspiring public landscape. Failure to plan and communicate effectively and anticipate or respond adequately to problems could result in unsafe working conditions increased operational costs lost revenue decreased academic productivity and strained strategic relationships. Tact and discretion are required in dealing with external contractors and suppliers internal operational units and a wide range of site participants and program partners. This includes situations where there may be interpersonal conflict or an expectation to inform individuals or a group to change a course of action. Unprofessional conduct could negatively impact the mission and reputation of the CSFS the Faculty and the University.

Supervision Received
Supervised by the CSFS Director. Works autonomously in assigned areas. Makes routine operational decisions independently within overall direction from the CSFS Director in terms of milestones unit-level goals performance targets and significant issues involving external relationships. Work is reviewed in terms of sound management practice and achievement of specific objectives management of ongoing unit operations and contribution to the development of the CSFS

Supervision Given
Manages a team of up to six direct staff reports ten indirect staff reports and twenty student employees. Responsible for hire discipline evaluation and termination. Reviews and recommends revisions to job descriptions as needed

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a diversified farm ideally under organic management.

• Experience overseeing maintenance and operations of a land-based academic facility (e.g. research or teaching farm).

• Broad technical skill set with understanding of horticultural production landscape management soil management equipment operation and maintenance and animal care in a market-farm setting.

• Demonstrated strength in supervisory organizational communication and interpersonal skills.

• Experience engaging with researchers educators and community partners.

• Experience creating and managing annual budgets.

• Experience at UBC is an asset including knowledge of policies and procedures and familiarity with UBC Facilities and Safety & Risk Services.

• Proficiency with common software (e.g. MS Office SharePoint); familiarity with UBC systems (e.g. Workday Planon) is an asset.

• Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative team-based environment.