Position Function :

Manage the research and production operations of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Bearden Dairy Research Center (Bearden Center).

Salary Grade : 14

Please see or for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile :

The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department currently houses approximately 530 undergraduate students and 20 faculty, both on campus and at research and extension centers throughout Mississippi.

The Department conducts teaching, research, and extension activities on the 1,200-acre Leveck Animal Research Center and Bearden Research Dairy.

The Bearden Dairy Research Facility is a 1,200 acre farm with 135-150 free-stall housed lactating cows, milking 100 Holsteins and 35 Jerseys in a modern Double 8 parallel milking parlor that was renovated in 2021-2022.

The heifer / dry cow facility can house 100 head. The cull cow herd of 25-35 head is used for teaching in Animal and Dairy Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine.

Anticipated Appointment Date :

April 2024.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

1. Maintain and manage all dairy operations including managing the parlor, staff, students, reproduction operations, and equipment and computer programs.

2. Managing of heifer and cow breeding programs and artificial insemination of animals.

3. Keep extensive records using PC Dart Herd Management Software.

4. Ensure all animal medical treatments and procedures are kept up to date and interact with veterinary faculty and staff.

5. Manage and maintain the Double 8 milking parlor equipment and the Dairy Plan 21 system.

6. Assist and support research project activities.

7. Train and manage Assistant Herders and Dairy Milkers with daily tasks and education.

9. Other duties as assigned.

Shifts will vary. The successful candidate will be expected to work weekends and holidays as needed, and job requires flexible scheduling.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education : Bachelor of Science degree in animal and dairy science or closely related field.

Licensures : Artificial insemination certificate. Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications :

Dairy cattle production and farm equipment operational experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of dairy operations.

Ability to supervise others.

Good communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Considerable physical activity. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of job. Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and / or loud noises.

Last updated : 2024-03-02