Director, Farm Services

Agency

Department

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The Farm Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative management for the Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU) Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Farm and Ranch operations in support of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ (CAFNR) land grant mission of research, teaching, extension, outreach, and public service. The position is responsible for ensuring that the farm operates as a modern, efficient, safe, productive, and mission-aligned agricultural enterprise that supports faculty research, student experiential learning, extension programming, demonstrations, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable agricultural development.

The Farm Director oversees integrated farm systems including crop production, livestock operations, greenhouse systems, natural resource management, equipment and infrastructure management, personnel supervision and performance evaluation, and operational planning. The position works collaboratively with faculty, research scientists, extension specialists, extension agents, students, industry partners, and community stakeholders to advance CAFNR priorities, the NIFA Plan of Work, and PVAMU’s strategic initiatives.

The Farm Director serves as the lead operational administrator for farm activities and is expected to provide forward-thinking leadership, operational discipline, accountability, and innovation to support the continued growth and modernization of the university’s farm and ranch enterprise.

This position is funded by a grant or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding.

The salary is determined in accordance with the University’s compensation structure and will be commensurate with the candidates’ education and experience, within the assigned salary range for this position. 

Responsibilities:

Farm Operations Management and Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight for all farm and ranch activities.
• Direct and coordinate daily operations involving crops, livestock, greenhouses, pasture systems, natural resources, and support facilities.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range operational plans aligned with CAFNR strategic priorities and institutional goals.
• Establish seasonal work plans, operational calendars, production schedules, labor plans, and resource allocation strategies.
• Ensure operational efficiency, productivity, accountability, and continuous improvement across all farm systems.
• Coordinate land use planning, irrigation management, forage utilization, and infrastructure utilization.
• Lead efforts to modernize farm operations through technology integration, precision agriculture tools, and data-driven management systems.
• Support development of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural systems.

Research, Teaching, and Extension Support

• Coordinate farm resources, personnel, equipment, and land to support faculty-led research projects, demonstrations, field trials, and extension programming.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, extension specialists, and extension agents to implement research protocols and educational activities.
• Support experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Assist with field days, workshops, demonstrations, tours, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Coordinate farm scheduling and use to support teaching laboratories, student projects, and extension events.
• Ensure farm operations effectively support interdisciplinary research and extension initiatives.
• Maintain records and reporting systems related to research and educational activities.

Personnel Leadership and Workforce Management

• Recruit, supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate farm personnel, technicians, seasonal employees, student workers, interns, and support staff.
• Establish work assignments, schedules, operational expectations, and performance standards.
• Foster a collaborative, safe, professional work environment.
• Promote workforce development, employee accountability, and operational excellence.
• Coordinate staff communication and support cross-functional collaboration among operational units.
• Support employee development through training opportunities related to safety, technology, equipment, compliance, and operational procedures.

Equipment, Facilities, and Infrastructure Management

• Oversee maintenance, repair, replacement planning, and safe operation of farm equipment, machinery, vehicles, irrigation systems, barns, fencing, storage facilities, greenhouses, feed systems, and related infrastructure.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance programs and equipment utilization schedules.
• Monitor operational readiness of facilities and farm assets.
• Oversee facility improvement projects and infrastructure upgrades.
• Maintain accurate records related to maintenance activities, inventories, and equipment usage.
• Ensure safe operation and compliance with university policies and agricultural safety standards.

Financial Management, Procurement, and Resource Stewardship

• Assist with preparation and management of farm operating budgets.
• Monitor expenditures, cost recovery activities, purchasing, inventory control, and operational resource utilization.
• Oversee procurement of equipment, supplies, livestock inputs, chemicals, feed, seed, fertilizer, and related operational materials.
• Support strategic allocation of resources to maximize operational effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate operational and financial records.
• Assist leadership with budget projections, operational forecasting, and financial planning.

Compliance, Environmental Stewardship, and Safety

• Ensure compliance with university, state, federal, USDA, and environmental regulations.
• Oversee implementation of agricultural safety protocols, pesticide regulations, biosecurity procedures, animal welfare standards, and environmental stewardship practices.
• Promote sustainable land management, soil conservation, water management, and resource protection.
• Coordinate inspections, audits, certifications, and required documentation.
• Maintain operational records associated with compliance and safety programs.
• Support emergency response planning and risk management activities.
• Outreach, Partnerships, and Stakeholder Engagement
• Represent CAFNR and the university farm professionally with producers, agencies, industry partners, community organizations, donors, and external stakeholders.
• Support outreach programming, demonstrations, tours, agricultural field days, workshops, and public engagement events.
• Foster partnerships that support research, workforce development, extension programming, and farm sustainability.
• Assist with development of collaborative initiatives aligned with land-grant priorities.
• Promote visibility and impact of university farm operations within the agricultural community.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Systems Management, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Agribusiness, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in farm management, agricultural operations, research farm administration, ranch operations, or a related agricultural setting.

 Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of crop production systems, livestock operations, natural resources, pasture management, irrigation systems, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Knowledge of farm equipment operation, maintenance, and agricultural safety procedures.
• Knowledge of environmental stewardship, land management, pesticide regulations, and compliance standards.
• Knowledge of operational planning, budgeting, inventory management, and workforce coordination.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic agricultural environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, researchers, extension personnel, students, and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Agriculture, Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Natural Resources, Agricultural Systems Management, or a related field.
• Experience supervising personnel and managing agricultural operations involving crops, livestock, facilities, equipment, and land resources.
• Experience supporting research, teaching, extension, demonstration, or outreach activities.
• Experience with budgeting, procurement, operational planning, and resource management.
• Experience in a land grant university, research farm, or extension environment.
• Experience managing integrated crop and livestock systems.
• Experience supporting faculty research trials, extension demonstrations, and student learning environments.
• Experience with precision agriculture technologies, AI-enabled agricultural systems, remote sensing, greenhouse automation, and digital farm management platforms.
• Licensed pesticide applicator or ability to obtain certification in 3-6 months after hire date.
• Demonstrated success in improving operational efficiency, sustainability, and farm productivity.
• Experience managing large-scale agricultural operations and multidisciplinary teams.

Other Requirements:

• Work is performed in office, field, livestock, greenhouse, and outdoor agricultural environments.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, livestock, agricultural chemicals, machinery, and farm equipment.
• Ability to perform moderate physical activity including walking fields, lifting materials, inspecting facilities, and operating around livestock and equipment.
• Occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and emergency response work may be required based on operational needs and seasonal demands.
• Some travel may be required.

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.