Farm Coordinator/Veterinary Tech Support
- Title: Farm Coordinator/Veterinary Tech Support
- Class: Classified
- Exempt Status: Non-exempt
- Grade: 20
Nature and Scope of Work
Under the direction of instructional management, coordinates the farm operations at the Rock Creek Campus. Directly supports the Veterinary Technology program by working with students to enhance their learning; and in coordinating support activities of the programs. Develops agronomic activities that provide feed and farm program learning experiences for students. Maintains and restores the college environmental center and adjacent natural areas. Responsible for feeding and caring for animals and repairing and maintaining the housing and environment for those animals. Interpersonal contacts extend to college staff, students, the public, vendors and external agencies. Job requires well developed verbal skills to present and exchange technical or complex information. Incumbent is a key contributor and is responsible for results or services that facilitate the work of others in a specific work group. Responsible for performing work requiring advanced job skills and for responding to work situations with minimum guidance or direction.
Principal Accountabilities
- Functions as the lab assistant for the Veterinary Technology Program. Coordinates and communicates with instructors to assist in the prep and management of livestock prior to and during laboratory sessions. Provides assistance to the Veterinary Technology Program including assisting with husbandry of animals assigned to Veterinary Technology Program, provides assistance in the operation and maintenance of kennel facilities for domesticated dogs and cats. Performs some or all of the duties of the Instructional Support Technician IV classification.
- Performs various farm operations including cleaning and maintaining barns, storage buildings and fencing; removal of horse manure from the paddock and barn; performing cutting, raking, baling and transporting of hay; maintaining college fields (e.g., leveling, planting, fertilizing); and conducting tours of college farm. Responsible for the repair of dog kennels, horse stalls and paddock and drain maintenance for septic systems of the kennels. Participates in special projects to support the Veterinary Technology Program as needed. Provides care and feeding for the Veterinary Tech Lab animals during college closures due to inclement weather.
- Provides complete husbandry for farm animals including cattle and sheep: performs handling, dehorning, hoof trimming, feeding, breeding and obstetrics, and medical procedures (e.g., drawing samples, administering medications, using medical apparatuses, performing palpation); identifies and transports excess stock to auction, and coordinates timely disposal of animals in accordance with college policy
- Maintains and restores the college environmental center and adjacent natural areas, communicates and coordinates with the environmental center; performs hazard removal including tree felling and removal; establishes and moves fences both permanent and temporary including electric; in accordance with the environmental center practices sprays herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides as needed; in accordance with practices to support the environmental center rotates and pastures animals in areas needing control; transports construction and educational materials to and from site; provides supervision and labor for construction and development projects; monitors and removes dogs, feral cats and other species; performs weed control.
- Maintains appropriate contracts (e.g., sheep shearing contract) and records including but not limited to records on costs and revenues related to farm activities and disparate funding sources related to the farm; maintains a weekly log of work activities. Monitors land lease agreements related to farm operations.
- Orders, procures and stores necessary supplies in support of the college environmental center and adjacent natural areas, greenhouse and Landscape Technology Program, Veterinary Technology Program, farm operations and animal husbandry.
- Maintains a safe work environment including the safe use and disposal of hazardous and other materials.
- Assists with cooperative work done with the Grounds Department
- Stays abreast of current trends in agriculture methodologies.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Work occurs outdoors and in outdoor structures (farm buildings and shop). Exposure to noise from equipment, dead or diseased animals, odors from livestock and plant amendments. Work hours vary with the season and requirements of the farm, livestock and programs.
Physical Requirements
Requires considerable physical effort including heavy lifting, digging, equipment operation and the use of tools, handling of large animals (e.g., cattle, sheep, horses), and extensive walking/standing.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent plus two years of college level training in agriculture including crops and livestock is required. Experience performing the duties of the job may substitute for the college level course work on a year-for-year basis.
Minimum four years of experience working with farm animals including cattle, sheep and horses; and operating and performing minor troubleshooting of farm equipment, specifically tractors in various applications including bailing, plowing and disking; and planting, harvesting and maintaining various field crops.
Knowledge of the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials is required. An Oregon Public Pesticide Applicator License must be obtained within 90 days of employment. Must have proven communication skills adequate to work with instructors and to assist students in understanding the work they are to perform. Must be willing to live on the Rock Creek Campus in a college owned home. Must be able to provide transportation for off-site travel.
Reviewed: 12/18
- Rev: 01-28-02
- Replaces: Farm/Green House Coordinator 08-03-94
- Replaces: Herdsperson, Grade 18, 03-02-92