Assistant Farm Manager, Carvel Education and Research Center

University of Delaware

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which

encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women,

Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice

of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

Job No: 503003

Work Type: Staff

Location: Georgetown, DE

Categories: Research & Laboratory, Full Time

Pay Grade: 29E

Context of the Job:

The Assistant Farm Manager at the Elbert N. & Ann V. Carvel

Research and Education Center supports the Farm Manager in

coordinating all field research and extension projects conducted

on-site and at affiliated off-farm research locations. This

position provides leadership for the operation of the Warrington

Irrigation Research Farm and plays a central role in managing

precision agriculture systems, research data coordination, and

personnel training.

Working closely with faculty, staff, and students from the

University of Delaware’s Newark and Georgetown campuses, the

Assistant Farm Manager supports the Farm Manager to ensure that

projects are efficiently planned, implemented, and documented. This

includes coordination of field operations, maintenance of precision

ag equipment and software, and management of the center’s data

systems to support ongoing research and demonstration

programs.

This position requires strong technical, analytical, and

organizational skills, as well as the ability to operate and

maintain modern agricultural machinery, digital control systems,

and field data collection technologies. The Assistant Farm Manager

will also support educational programs, safety compliance, and

staff development in collaboration with the Farm Manager and Carvel

leadership.

Major Responsibilities:

Farm and Field Operations

• Assist the Farm Manager in all aspects of crop production and

research plot management, including field preparation, planting,

fertility, irrigation, pesticide application, and harvesting.

• Provide daily operational oversight of the Warrington

Irrigation Research Farm, ensuring that all irrigation and field

management activities align with research protocols and safety

standards.

• Under the direction of the Farm Manager, coordinate the setup,

calibration, and maintenance of specialized agricultural and

research equipment.

• Under the direction of the Farm Manager, work with project

leaders to plan, schedule, and complete research and demonstration

projects.

Administration and Leadership:

• Support the Farm Manager in supervision of farm assistants,

seasonal staff, and student workers, including scheduling,

timekeeping, and performance feedback.

• Assist with procurement of supplies, maintenance of equipment

inventories, and preparation of purchase requests.

• Participate in the planning and execution of field days, tours,

and special events.

• Maintain detailed records of field operations, maintenance

logs, and data management activities.

• Contribute to farm safety planning and serve on the facility

safety team.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural

Engineering, or a related field and three years of job-related

experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Knowledge of modern agricultural production systems, precision

agriculture hardware/software, and research field management.

• Demonstrated experience in the operation, maintenance, and

troubleshooting of agricultural machinery and computerized

equipment.

• Proficiency with GPS-based systems, data loggers, mapping and

data visualization software, and spreadsheet/database

management.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication

skills.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with

faculty, staff, and students.

• Intermediate computer skills including Microsoft Office, and

Excel.

• Ability to train and mentor staff in equipment use, safety, and

data collection procedures.

• Valid Delaware Pesticide Applicator’s License (or ability to

obtain within six months), Delaware Nutrient Management

Certification, and a valid Class A commercial driver’s

license.

Special Requirements:

• Work involves exposure to outdoor conditions, including heat,

cold, humidity, dust, and chemicals.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and climb stairs and

ladders up to 16 feet.

• Must wear personal protective equipment, including respirators

when required.

• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required during peak

field activity periods.

• Employees in this classification are considered essential

employees and are subject to being on call 24 hours a day, as may

be required to maintain the continuous operation of a farm.

Employees must provide a telephone number where they can be

reached. In the event of hazardous weather, employees may be called

to duty during off-hours. This is farm work requiring physical

exertion that is performed either outdoors under all weather

conditions.

Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person

on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity

or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital

status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other

characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment,

educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and

scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the

Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act

of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and

University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits

unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual

violence.

PI283753397