Job Description
The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (http://spes.vt.edu) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Tech is inviting applications for an Agriculture Specialist IV position (12- month CY) located in Blacksburg, VA. The incumbent will report to the Manager of Kentland Farm for their primary responsibilities in managing the facilities of Homefield Farm, and growing crops for use by Virginia Tech Dining Services. The incumbent will work through the direction of the Dining Sustainability Manager to create usable planting plans that will serve the dining center's needs. Homefield Farm at Virginia Tech is a 12-acre organic farm, which is a cooperative partnership between CALS and Virginia Tech Dining Services (https://dining.vt.edu/sustainability/homefieldfarm.html). In managing Homefield Farm, the incumbent will be responsible for planning, budgeting, crop production, harvesting, management and coordination of personnel and students/volunteers working at the farm. The incumbent will be responsible for maintaining Organic and GAP certifications and coordinating communications between Homefield Farm, Kentland Farm, CALS and Dining Services. The incumbent will coordinate with faculty in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (SPES) and other departments to conduct extension or research activities at Homefield Farm. Annually, the incumbent will be responsible for the creation of the annual farm report for distribution to stakeholders. The incumbent will be asked to lead tours at Kentland/Homefield farm in collaboration with SPES, Dining Services or the community.
Required Qualifications
• Experience with crop production
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent record-keeping and organization skills
• Considerable experience in the safe operation of tractors, tractor implements and equipment.
• Experience with irrigation and general farm maintenance
• Experience in employee supervision
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
• B.S. in horticulture, agronomy or closely aligned field
• Extensive experience with vegetable crop production in field
• Experience working with organic crop production or experience with the organic process
• Budget management experience
• Experience in soil health and/or plant health
• Experience with tillage equipment and/or vegetable production equipment
• Experience with research and/or research plots
Pay Band
4
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
45,000 – 65,000
Review Date
09/22/2024
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto,Ut Prosim(That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive communitydedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicinecollege, Graduate School , andHonors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including theInnovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerousExtension offices andresearch centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
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Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
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