Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Farm Management

The Farm Specialist is responsible for the management of a university research farm, including crop production, livestock care, and facility and equipment maintenance; integrate practical farm management with educational goals; collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and visitors to ensure the farm's operational efficiency; delegate and provide direction to support staff; maintain a safe and productive environment that aligns with the university’s mission.

• Oversee daily farm operations, including planting, cultivation, harvesting, and livestock care
• Develop and implement farming schedules; manage crop and livestock production to meet educational, research, and operational goals
• Monitor the health of crops and livestock; take corrective action/escalate as necessary
• Oversee farm equipment and infrastructure maintenance and repair, ensuring safety and efficiency
• Collaborate with faculty to design and deliver educational programs and hands-on learning experiences for students; support educational program marketing
• Participate in the planning, coordination, and implementation of research projects; perform data collection as needed
• Supervise and/or mentor students participating in farm-related projects, internships, or work-study programs
• Organize and lead farm tours, workshops, and other educational events for the campus community and external visitors; support extension education activities
• Promote and implement sustainable farming practices, such as conservation techniques and waste reduction
• Keep abreast of agricultural trends and innovations; integrate new practices and technologies into farm operations
• May participate in budget processes, including tracking expenses, procurement, and financial reporting
• Maintain accurate farm activity records, such as crop yields, livestock health, and equipment maintenance
• Implement and enforce safety protocols to protect staff, faculty, students, and visitors
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations
• May collaborate on planning and executing harvested crop production sales
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 9
• Minimum – $56,200.00
• MidPoint – $68,800.00
• Maximum – $81,500.00