"Alerted.org

Job Title

Farm Operations Manager

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Weslaco

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Weslaco, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

+ Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/)

+ Texas A&M AgriLife Research

+ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University (https://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/)

+ Texas A&M Forest Service

+ Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/)

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/) to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

The Farm Operations Manager (FOM) oversees the daily operations and research activities at the Weslaco field stations and associated locations across the Texas Rio Grande Valley. This role involves managing field trials, equipment, irrigation systems, and facilities, while ensuring compliance with safety protocols and regulatory standards. The FOM provides expert support for agricultural research, including the implementation of experiments in collaboration with faculty across disciplines such as breeding, crop physiology, irrigation, entomology, and plant pathology.

Key responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating field events, maintaining detailed records of agrochemical usage, and ensuring proper equipment maintenance and upgrades. The role also involves budget coordination, inventory management, and active participation in strategic planning meetings.

Responsibilities:

+ Responsible for the Weslaco field stations, trials, field equipment, irrigation, and management and organization of field station-related buildings, which requires operating a vehicle.

+ Provides research support expertise. Facilitates various farm trials, tests or experiments requiring planning, creativity, foresight, and judgment.

+ Manage daily operations of Weslaco field stations and associated locations through direction provided by the Center Director and Center Faculty.

+ Plan and direct all planting, crop maintenance, including weed and pest control, and help with the harvest of yield trials at multiple locations in the Texas Rio Grande Valley, which requires operating a vehicle.

+ Organize daily work schedules and assign tasks

+ Follow Texas A&M University System procedures, safety protocols and train employees to follow safety protocols and to operate equipment with safety in mind.

+ Record keeping of all agrochemicals and application dates.

+ Maintain a pesticide applicators license and be responsible for chemical purchase, proper storage, proper applications, and proper disposal when necessary.

+ Maintain, operate, repair, and update small plot and production field equipment. This includes replacing existing equipment with newer equipment that will enhance precision and/or efficiency. Oversee the maintenance, repair, and operation of farm equipment and vehicles. Expertise will also include software updates and computer expertise for efficient data collection and transfer.

+ Facilitate design and implement field experiments for collaborating programs, including Breeding, Crop Physiology, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agriculture Engineering.

+ Actively participate in regular meetings with the Center Director, Center Faculty and supervise students and staff and be part of the decision-making for field experiment and production planning.

+ Manage rotations, fallow periods, and soil conservation practices.

+ Audit program protocols and update protocols when needed.

+ Coordinate with Program staff to plan and facilitate field days and similar events, which require operating a vehicle.

+ Manages work orders, schedules work assignments and trains employees to do job tasks.

+ Responsible for evaluating farm services employee performance.

+ Maintains monthly equipment, and consumables (diesel, gasoline, etc.) inventories.

+ Maintains accountability of tools, supplies, and equipment.

+ Keep inventory of certifications (CEUs, pesticide licenses, etc.).

+ Assists in training, supervising and coaching staff to perform work safely on the farm and seek training opportunities for further professional development.

+ Completes Request for Purchase documentation and submits for approval as appropriate in close communication with the business office.

+ Assists in maintaining adequate custodial care of all farm buildings.

+ Inspect farm buildings, grounds, and equipment to determine maintenance work or repairs.

+ Assist in implementing short and long-term plans using technology to improve productivity and optimize performance.

+ Participates in community engaged activities

+ Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

+ Bachelor's Degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

+ Five (5) years of related experience.

+ Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

+ Ability to supervise personnel, multitask and work cooperatively with others as a team.

+ Attention to detail - identify problems early, good communications, personal responsibility.

+ Good/basic computer skills.

+ Cultivate/maintain a field-ready work ethic, great sense of initiative, enjoy outdoor work, work in wet, hot, or cold conditions.

+ Strong verbal and written communications skills.

+ Understanding of and ability to operate key farm equipment.

+ Innovative and problem-solving attitude.

+ Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

+ Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding.

Other Requirements:

+ Ability to lift moderately heavy objects (~ 50lbs).

+ Requires working in extreme weather conditions such as wet, hot or cold conditions.

+ Flexibility to adjust work hours in response to changing seasonal weather conditions

+ Must be able to promptly respond in person, on site, to after-hours building emergencies.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

+ Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/) with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

+ 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

+ Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

+ Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

+ Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

To be considered for this position, please attach the following materials:

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter

+ Name and contact information for 3 references.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.