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:

– Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates baseline working knowledge of routine work tasks. Follows the standard principles and practices. Acts under direct and frequent supervision using established procedures with detailed instructions. Participates as a team member and actively contributes to completion of team goals. Clearly communicates information.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– None

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Typically none

Problem Solving:

– Encounters routine problems
– Follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems

Independence of Action:

– Work is closely monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are provided
– Applies standard operating procedures with limited guidelines for deviation

Communication and Collaboration:

– Typically communicates internally within working unit
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Clearly communicates information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing

• Comp Grade – 5
• Minimum – $38,300.00
• MidPoint – $46,900.00
• Maximum – $55,500.00