"Lead Farm Operations Technician"

Lead Farm Operations Technician

Company:
North Carolina State University

Job Location:

Category:
Farming and Agriculture

Type:
Full-Time

Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers in North Carolina, offering a large range of career opportunities. Visit us at https://jobs.hr.ncsu.edu/.

Department: 192001 - CVM Teaching Hospital

Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:
This position plays a key role in supporting the daily care of equines and the overall operations of the Reedy Creek Farm (RCF) facility. Working in close partnership with the Farm Manager, you will help ensure that the farm's grounds, equipment, and infrastructure are maintained to a high standard to support teaching, research, and outstanding animal care. This role also contributes to staff oversight, project coordination, and facility planning-offering a meaningful opportunity to be part of a mission-driven, hands-on agricultural and animal care environment.

You will use your practical expertise and problem-solving skills to keep the farm running smoothly, manage a broad inventory of agricultural equipment, and contribute to the training and development of staff and students. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys variety in their work, takes pride in maintaining an exceptional facility, and thrives in an outdoor, team-oriented setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that small engines, vehicles, UTVs, tractors, and other equipment remain in safe, reliable working condition through regular repair and maintenance.
• Maintain facilities and grounds so they remain in excellent condition and present an outstanding appearance to the public.
• Support pasture and paddock management-including rotational grazing-to meet the teaching and research needs of the farm.
• Assist the Farm Manager with preparing and monitoring facility budgets; follow purchasing guidelines and use appropriate computer systems for documentation.
• Coordinate, assign, and monitor multiple maintenance and construction projects simultaneously.
• Evaluate and update quality assurance and safety standards for facility projects, tools, and equipment.
• Perform construction and repair tasks-including basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work-while using appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Carry out a variety of landscaping duties such as mowing, trimming, tree removal, and fertilizing.

Leadership & Compliance Responsibilities

• Serve as the acting lead for daily operations in the Farm Manager's absence, ensuring continuity of all farm functions.
• Assist in overseeing daily RCF operations, including selecting, training, assigning, and evaluating animal care and maintenance staff.
• Oversee equipment operations and maintenance, and implement changes needed to remain compliant with local, state, and federal regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Support a teaching and research environment in alignment with the mission and expectations of the Primary Site Veterinarian (PSV), University Attending Veterinarian (UAV), IACUC, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

Animal Care Responsibilities

• Provide basic equine husbandry when needed, including feeding, watering, cleaning stalls, maintaining pastures and dry lots, and assisting with safe horse handling.
• Catch, lead, and restrain horses safely for medical and instructional procedures.

Work Environment & Safety

• Work in a secure teaching and research facility and participate in required Medical Surveillance procedures in accordance with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Perform duties in areas where hazardous materials or infectious agents may be present (e.g., chemicals, pesticides, fuels, solvents, zoonotic risks).

Physical Requirements

Please note this is a physically demanding position that involves, but is not limited to, the following:

• Quickly respond to and access horses covering a 200-acre facility.
• Work outside in all weather conditions.
• Bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surfaces up to 8+ hours a day.
• Push, pull, move and lift heavy objects weighing up to 125 lb. with or without reasonable accommodations (e.g. bales of feed and bedding, feed sacks, materials, equipment, etc.).
• Work in a dusty, dirty and odorous environment.
• Tolerate foul odors, sights and substances.
• Work with animal dander, different types of hay and feed, and a variety of cleaning agents.
• Work in an area with and occasionally handle potentially dangerous large animals.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience/Education:
High school diploma or equivalency; or demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. Some positions may require special licenses or certification(s).

Optional Guidelines: Experience in the trade(s) areas related to the area of assignment may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Required Qualifications:
N/A

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Mechanical & Equipment Operation: Demonstrates the ability to operate a varied fleet of farm equipment-including various tractors, attachments, full-size pickup trucks, and ATVs-while performing comprehensive maintenance and small engine repairs, such as changing oil, filters, tires, and batteries.
• Expert Equine Care & Behavioral Analysis: Utilizes extensive experience to safely catch, lead, and restrain horses, while performing daily husbandry tasks including stall sanitation and feeding; possesses the specialized skill to identify subtle behavioral changes or signs of illness and injury in equines.
• Facility Infrastructure & Systems Repair: Performs essential minor repairs on critical farm infrastructure, including the maintenance of fencing, watering devices, feeders, and minor plumbing systems to ensure a safe and functional environment for livestock and staff.
• Physical Requirements: Physical capacity to lift 125 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation to meet the rigorous demands of the facility.
• Administrative & Digital Proficiency: Leverages technical skills to operate personal computers for professional communication and the management of facility records using MS Word and Excel to ensure operational organization and data accuracy.

Required license or certification:

• NC Driver's License is required and will need to be obtained within 60 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
• NC Pesticide License or ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire and maintained through employment.

Position Number: 00107692

AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.