Emmons Blaine Dairy Manager
Job Summary
The Emmons Blaine Arlington Dairy Research Center is part of the Integrated Cattle Research Facilities for the Agricultural Research Stations at UW-Madison. This industry leading facility was built in 2008, and is home to 500 milking cows, roughly 100 dry cows, and 100 neo-natal calves. This sand bedded freestall dairy facility, in the heart of the Arlington Ag Research Station just 20 miles north of Madison, allows for the completion of pen-based nutrition work, mammary and reproductive physiology research, welfare and behavioral sciences studies, calf growth research, transition cow management projects, environmental sustainability research, and individual animal intake information.
The incumbent in this position will manage this industry leading facility with knowledge and dedication towards the mission statement of Blaine Dairy and the Agriculture Research Stations. This individual will lead a team of Animal Care Supervisors and Animal Care Technicians towards achieving overall farm goals and maintaining superior production aspects to include feeding, breeding, milking, and general animal care of the herd. The program manager is responsible for working closely with the Program Director, and the veterinary staff, to develop standard farm protocols and animal care treatment regimens. They will provide recommendations to the department on necessary changes or improvements that should be made and play an active role in making those improvements. These areas of focus will include animal care protocols as well as facility maintenance, personnel management, compliance, budgets, and research. This position will require the Research Program Manager to play an active role in conjunction with the Animal Care Supervisors for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training new employees, as well as oversight on employee performance. It will also require in depth understanding of the compliance regulations and guidelines of the Animal Care and Use Committee, Occupational Health and Safety, and AAALAC to ensure that high standards are met. The Research Program Manager will work closely with the Program Directors to develop budgetary plans, make recommendations for capital equipment expenses, and ensure financial resources are properly allocated to maximize herd efficiency.
Research project involvement will include coordination and implementation of projects involving the dairy herd to meet the needs of more than 25 faculty/academic staff, 20+ graduate students and research interns. This individual must possess a high level of attention to detail to ensure the best animal care, and collection of accurate research data. Oversight of all data and record keeping will need to be closely maintained, as well as tracking all animal use and feed inventories to ensure proper availability of animals and all ingredients to meet research demands. The incumbent in this position will need to excel at both verbal and written communication techniques so that they can quickly and proficiently relay any concerns, adverse events involving research animals, and general information to the Program Director, CALS Veterinary Staff, and the department research teams.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert among internal and external stakeholder groups, collaborates across disciplines and functional areas, provides program information, and promotes the accomplishments and developments of scholars and research initiatives
- Plans and directs the day-to-day operational activities of one or multiple research programs or units according to established research objectives in alignment with strategic plans and initiatives
- Monitors program budget(s) and approves unit expenditures
- Assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of trainings and workshops for internal and external audiences to disseminate research program developments and information
- Develops policies, procedures, and institutional agreements on behalf of the program
- Plans, develops, and implements processes and protocols to support research aims
Required Qualifications
Required Knowledge & Skills:
- Farm dairy herd experience (e.g., herd health, reproduction, feeding, calves, or milking operations in a commercial or research dairy setting, etc.)
- Experience working as a team leader to support daily operations, research outreach & teaching activities (e.g., coordinating staff, leading daily tasks, supporting research trials, mentoring students, etc.)
- Experience operating agricultural equipment to perform a range of farm tasks (e.g., tractors, skid steers, feed mixers, manure handling, milking/parlor equipment and basic maintenance, etc.)
- Experience working with personnel, budgets, and dairy record management (e.g., supervising staff, scheduling, tracking budgets, maintaining herd records in software systems, etc.)
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to convey information clearly to staff, students, and stakeholders (e.g., communicating with staff, faculty, students, and visitors; documenting procedures clearly, etc.)
- Ability to interpret and follow written and oral instructions (e.g., following research protocols, SOPs, and regulatory requirements, etc.)
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent training and/or experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience developing outreach and instructional programming (e.g., workshops, farm tours, student training, or SOP development, etc.)
- Experience managing or working within a dairy research facility (e.g., supporting research trials, coordinating research and farm activities, data tracking, etc.)
- Knowledge of maintaining a Grade A milk license and operational compliance (e.g., inspections (state & federal), milk quality standards, regulatory compliance, etc.)
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