Overview

The farm at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is an integral unit of the Department of Animal Resources. Farm staff maintain teaching, research, and production herds of many common agricultural species including cattle and small ruminants. In addition to providing an opportunity for hands-on instruction and skill development of students enrolled in the professional DVM curriculum, farm staff manage 60 acres of pasture, produce hay and corn sileage on an additional 100 acres of land, and manage the waste produced by Cummings School's Hospital for Large Animals.

What You'll Do

The Farm Supervisor coordinates the activities of farm staff (currently consisting of two full-time employees) to provide and care for agricultural species such as cattle and small ruminants, which support the teaching and research needs of Cummings School faculty and students. The Farm Supervisor manages farm resources including labor, equipment, and budget to meet the teaching and research goals of the school. The Farm Supervisor collaborates with both the Farm Director and the Director of Animal Resources to develop and implement management plans and strategies, including collaboration on the budgeting process. As a working supervisor, the Farm Supervisor oversees management of all species and performs daily activities as needed. Other duties may be assigned. All farm employees are cross-trained and able to cover for their colleagues as needed.

Work with the Farm Director to develop and implement goals for feeding, breeding, and husbandry of cattle and small ruminants.
Supervise staff and animal schedules to harmonize teaching and research needs with farm requirements.
Adjust seasonal/weekly/daily work assignments to respond to programmatic changes.
Comply with institutional, state, federal, and accreditation guidelines for the care and use of teaching and research animals.
Oversee farm business and facilities, working closely with the central Facilities team.
Oversee animal health care needs including breeding, parturition, newborn management, preventative medicine programs, and maintenance of on-farm medical records.
Oversee treatment of minor illnesses seen on the farm and seek help from veterinary faculty for illnesses that are beyond the scope of farm staff to treat.
Manage the bedding waste produced by the Hospital for Large Animals and perform daily activities as required.
Coordinate production of first and second cut round and square bales including both dry hay and haylage with farm staff and outside maintenance staff as needed.
Assist with teaching veterinary courses including Farm Selective and Farm Elective.
Ensure that animals are available for teaching in other laboratory courses on a weekly basis.
Research liaison and support - Oversee and manage the care of research animals and support on-farm research projects.
Collect biological specimens, provide analgesic and post-procedural care, and perform other technical procedures as needed (following the provision of training).
Maintain needed research records.
Report regularly to the Farm Director on the challenges, achievements, and strategies to implement farm goals.
Supervise farm staff and resources to achieve financial and animal husbandry goals.
Provide input to the Farm Director when preparing semiannual and annual performance reviews of farm staff.
Work with the Director of Animal Resources, Farm Director, and budget staff as needed to develop and track the annual budget. Manage recruitment and training of temporary staff / new hires as needed.
Lab animal husbandry / care - Ensure all farm staff are cross trained to take care of small ruminants, swine, and horses that belongs LAMS to ensure farm staff are able to fill in for their colleagues as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:
Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

High School Diploma
7-10 years Experience working on / managing a commercial farm operation
Proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel
Basic understanding of budgeting and forecasting
Supervisory experience
Experience operating farm equipment
Flexibility to accommodate shifting priorities, program changes, weather events, etc
Attentive to workplace health and safety considerations

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in a related field such as agriculture or animal science.
Experience with equipment maintenance and basic repairs

Pay Range

Minimum $30.65, Midpoint $36.40, Maximum $42.30

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Tufts University

Farm Supervisor - Department of Animal Resources

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