"Agriculture Specialist IV"

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 building collaborative, respectful relationships among diverse staff

Preferred Qualifications

• B.S. in horticulture, agronomy or equivalent experience
• 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
• Experience with greenhouse/plant propagation
• Experience with equipment maintenance/repair

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

45,000 - 65,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

03/08/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.