Manager, WKU Dairy Farm

Manager, WKU Dairy Farm About Western Kentucky University:

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees. Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities. Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home. Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about .

Job Description:

The Dairy Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the WKU Dairy/SmartHolstein Lab to include animal care, health, and well-being, animal nutrition, reproduction and genetics, marketing of livestock and milk, facility upkeep, cow comfort, management of lab technologies, forage production and harvest, public outreach, and managing dairy workers. Additionally, the Dairy Manager will work with the AREC Director on how to best utilize the Dairy budget to generate as much revenue as possible while still providing a laboratory for student engagement, education, outreach, and applied research. The WKU dairy is designed to milk 56 cows with associated replacements at the WKU Agriculture Research and Education Center. The WKU SmartHolstein Lab is a strategic, synergistic partnership between Holstein Association USA and Western Kentucky University Department of Agriculture and Food Science designed to be a research, development, and demonstration center for the dairy industry. With over 30 technologies in place, the SmartHolstein Lab has been established as an easy-to-access demonstration and development farm to explore new technologies designed to collect novel phenotypic traits including wearable or indwelling sensors and milk-based biomarkers. This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to work with genetically elite Holstein cows and cutting-edge technologies in a University setting. Housing can be provided, and there are opportunities to work towards a graduate degree while in this position. Primary Duties and Responsibilities Provide comprehensive oversight of dairy herd health, welfare, and production, including daily care routines, nutrition management, reproductive programs, health monitoring, and implementation of best practices to maintain high standards of animal fitness and productivity Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise dairy employees and promote safe, productive, and educational work environment Work with Holstein Association, faculty, and industry partners to install, operate, and troubleshoot new and emerging dairy technologies and facilitate research and educational opportunities Plan, coordinate, and execute the production, harvest, storage, and quality management of forage crops utilized by the dairy Assist in planning and leading educational tours, field days, demonstrations, and extension

Requirements:

B.S. in Agriculture or related field

Additional Information:

Salary Range:

$50,000 - $55,000 Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment. Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices. Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, may contact the Office of Institutional Equity at 270-745-5121 for assistance. To report concerns related to WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, No. 0.2040 and/or WKU's Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, No. 0.2070, please complete the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Reporting Form . Additional information regarding Title IX, including contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and reporting options, is available on WKU's Title IX website . Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: https://www.wku.edu/academics/ For information related to job postings, application status, or the hiring process, please email employment@wku.edu .

Application Instructions:

The following items must be submitted through this electronic talent management system: Cover Letter Resume You will receive email confirmation that your submission has been received. The candidate review process will generally begin as materials are received.

Quicklink to apply:

https://wku.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?

JOBID=201789