Ranch Manager Postion at Research Station Available

Ranch Manager
Nancy M Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center
Open for Recruitment:
December 10, 2010 - Open until further notice
Announcement #: 16604058649
Salary Range: $40,000.00 + DOE + House
Full or Part Time: Full Time
Location: Salmon
Materials Required: Online Application (click to apply) Job References Letter of Qualification Resume

Application Procedures: To be considered, complete the online application including a letter of qualification that addresses the minimum and desireable qualifications, resume and a list of references. Review of application will begin January 3, 2011 and continue until a suitable applicant has been identified. Questions may be directed to John Hall at jbhall@uidaho.edu or (208) 756-2749.

MAJOR FUNCTION:
The ranch manager exercises independent judgment and is responsible for all daily operations at the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension, and Education Center (NMCREEC) including feeding, breeding, calving, herd health, fencing, feed/forage production, pasture management, and equipment/ranch maintenance. The manager ensures that day-to-day activities are handled according to required practices and/or specific research criteria. He or she is responsible for supervising, training, evaluating and setting schedules for board appointed and temporary employees assigned to the manager. The manager is responsible for providing support for research and education activities of faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers, providing expertise and training in maintaining records, collection of samples, feeding research animals, AI breeding, calving, and herd health. The position helps oversee the summer internship program. The position reports directly to the Superintendent of NMCREEC.

RESPONSIBILITIES: (% of Time, Essential/Marginal)
Manages daily operations of the NMC RE&E Center by: (65%, E)

Supervising and evaluating classified and temporary staff assigned to the manager; assisting Superintendent in hiring temporary staff; identifying staff training needs and determining appropriate training methods; overseeing all personnel matters, in conjunction with the Superintendent, for classified and temporary staff assigned to the manager, including discipline, grievances, and termination; ensuring compliance with safety rules and regulations and appropriate handling of livestock, tools and equipment; overseeing and managing livestock nutrition and feeding, ensuring the well-being and location of livestock to meet production and grazing objectives, including monitoring and treatment of livestock for disease and injury; working flexible hours as needed; working in inclement weather; lifting, moving or

carrying items weighing up to 80 pounds; maintaining electronic cattle production records; herd health records, cost of production and forage records and livestock inventory and sales records; ensuring ranch activities meet ACUC standards and guidelines, keeping up to date on applicable rules and regulations; assuring herd parturition, including assuring full-term pregnancies receive appropriate supervision and assistance as needed; managing herd breeding, sales and acquisitions in conjunction with Superintendent and research goals; managing irrigation, pasture rotation and field fertility; overseeing and assisting with the control of weeds and pests, maintenance of fencing and structures, and ensuring ranch kept in good order; responsible for budgetary requirements, as needed for area of responsibility; handling the purchasing of supplies, working in conjunction with the Superintendent, to meet budgetary and purchasing requirements; operating a variety of motorized ranch equipment, using hand and power tools, and handling livestock from horseback when necessary.

Provides assistance with research and education programs by: (20%, E)

Working with research faculty to ensure livestock availability, meeting specific research project goals; maintaining appropriate records, collecting data, and ensuring research protocols are followed; communicating with research faculty and superintendent on issues impacting research projects; assisting the Superintendent with compliance of all projects with ACUC protocols and standards; serving as a Co-instructor/mentor along with Superintendent for interns and undergraduate research projects; training students and others in proper care, treatment and handling of livestock; interacting with livestock producers, local educators and industry representatives; presenting appropriate results and management strategies at annual field day.

Coordinates planning and implementation of center programs by: (10%, E)

Working with Superintendent, faculty and staff to meet research, extension and teaching requirements for livestock availability and health; coordinating scheduling of programs, in conjunction with the Superintendent, impacting ranch operations, providing input utilizing expertise in ranch operations; working to accomplish center priorities and goals; using independent judgment to coordinate pasture and preserved forage production as well as determining ranch capacity for center research activities and programming; assisting in the development of the operating budget, and managing the cattle and forage budget assigned by Superintendent.

Provides general Center support by: (5%, M)

Maintaining expertise in areas of responsibility; assisting the Superintendent with projects as requested; providing input to resolve issues in a timely manner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience: BS degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Science or related field and at least 4 years ranching experience.

Ability and willingness to: handle livestock in a humane and low-stress manner; work on horseback; work flexible hours when necessary; work in inclement weather; stoop lift and carry up to 80 pounds.

Knowledge and Experience: in computerized record keeping and basic research principles.

Ability to: maintain accurate records and manage budgets.

Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to: treat common cattle afflictions, including pre and post parturition problem in cattle.

Knowledge of: livestock nutrition principles and practices; basic livestock and herd health principles and practices.

Demonstrated ability to: communicate verbally and in writing and work effectively with diverse individuals; work effectively in teams or independently and to supervise employees.

Experience: with proper use and maintenance of general motorized ranch equipment, hand and power tools and the proper handling of chemicals used to control weeds and pests and appropriate safety practices.

Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background check

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: MS degree in Dairy or Animal Science or closely related field. Experience and interest in research involving aspects of beef reproduction, health and nutrition. Experience mentoring and/or teaching students. Knowledge of EID technology. Proven ability to troubleshoot electronic feeding equipment (i.e. Calan Gates; GrowSafe Units) Five years general beef cattle experience, may include family ranch and/or non-paid experience.

About Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center:

The Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center is the University of Idaho’s primary cow/calf and forage research station. The center is comprised of 1,044 acres with 83% irrigated pasture and hayland. The research herd consists of 360 cows and 100 replacement heifers. The facility has new cattle working, reproduction, and laboratory facilities. In addition, a 200-head capacity nutrition unit featuring GrowSafe technology was recently completed. Current research focuses on reproductive efficiency, feed efficiency, extending the grazing season, and wintering system. The station is located 8 miles north of Salmon, ID.

Salmon, Idaho and Lemhi County towns are rural communities located on the Idaho-Montana boarder in the shadow of the Bitterroot and Beaverhead mountains. Salmon has a population of 3,300 with a total of 7,717 people in Lemhi County including Salmon. Ranching is the primary business in the county. The mining industry, tourism activities, and state and federal agencies are the other primary employers in the area. Salmon is a full-service town, despite its remote setting, providing all necessary stores, services, and a hospital. In addition, the town and area offer a city park with pool, golf course, movie theater, a business incubator, the Sacagawea cultural center, and many excellent restaurants. Two excellent school districts operate in Lemhi County – Salmon and Leadore. In addition, the Carmen Charter School offers grades K-8 education. The area offers some of the best opportunities for year-round outdoor activities – hunting, fishing, whitewater rafting, horse trails, skiing, and snowmobiling.
http://salmonchamber.com/index.html
http://www.cityofsalmon.com/
http://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/about.htm

To enrich education through diversity, the University of Idaho is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.