This is the first supervisory class for positions which are responsible for supervising the activities which support the operations of agricultural/farming programs. This class generally functions as a working supervisor involved with one or more activities, procedures or program components in support of agricultural or farming operations at the designated institution to which it is assigned. Positions in this class may exist at a state university facilitating farming operations and activities for agricultural research, academic or extension programs. They may also be responsible for facilitating agricultural business and/or farming operations at state correctional facilities. This class is distinguished from the Agricultural Manager class in that the latter supervises more complex programs requiring considerable time planning, developing and supervising farm operations.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty in executing and implementing guidelines and operating tasks developed and established by the higher level program superintendent, manager, research scientist or project director. Depending upon whether positions are assigned to (1) an educational institution in facilitating one of its agricultural research, academic or extension programs, such as Animal Science, Dairy Science, Forestry, Agronomy, Horticulture or Entomology, or (2) a correctional facility in supporting its agricultural business and farming programs and operations, the applicable duties typically involve assigning, training and directly supervising Agricultural Technicians, inmate work crews, students and other farm workers and support personnel who are responsible for livestock production, care and maintenance, as well as crop and vegetation production, care and maintenance. Assists in planning and directing farming operations, which includes all aspects of crop growing and animal husbandry. Helps maintain livestock and crop production reports and maintenance records. Assists in the maintenance of all farm equipment, machinery and facilities. Instructs and supervises workers in the use of farm machinery and equipment. Performs and supervises the repair of farm fences, storage buildings, roads, hay barns and other general farm facilities. Plans yearly crop rotation, types of crops to be grown and makes field selection for planting. Takes soil samples, plans timing of planting, spraying, fertilizing and harvesting of crops. Trains and supervises inmates in the feeding, watering, vaccinating, selecting and care of farm livestock, and in the planting, fertilizing, spraying, harvesting, storing and irrigation of crops. Supervises and performs procedures on animals involving digestion trails, metabolism work, estrus synchronization and organoleptic evaluation. Monitors estrus cycles and trains animals for semen collection and performs breeding by artificial insemination. Trains workers in scientific methods used in maintaining research animals and experimental plots. Teaches special skills in pruning, training, thinning, propagating, transplanting, irrigating and related cultural practices. Plans insect and disease control programs including the determination of which insecticides and fungicides to be used. Records plant growth and productivity responses, and determines the need for changes in experimental practices. Keeps complete record of growth, yield and other data. Tabulates and summarizes data in preparation for statistical and/or computer analysis, and the publication of results. Plans and supervises the care and feeding of beef and dairy cattle, swine and poultry. Oversees slaughtering and butchering. Plans daily work activities. Plans and conducts herd health programs. De-horns, castrates, vaccinates and carries out other health care procedures. Supervises and performs detailed preparation and blending of experimental diets. Supervises and performs the collection of special samples of blood, feces, urine, rumen, ingesta, abomasol fluid and tissue by biopsy. Collects research data including feed consumption, growth rates, body measurements and blood and urine samples. Conduct and supervise field and laboratory fruit disease control experiments involving fungicides, bactericides and nematicides, virus effects and orchard management techniques from test establishment, initiation and completion through summarization of research results as well as training of personnel in experimental testing procedures.

Supervision Given: Provides day-to-day supervision to small to medium-sized groups of workers which may typically include: inmates, agricultural technicians, service/trades personnel and students who perform generally repetitive tasks depending on their area of assignment.

Supervision Received: Directions are received from higher level Agricultural Managers, project managers, research scientists, superintendents or other administrators.

Scope: Activities of these positions affect the total efforts of the programs and activities they support through their actual performance of the work and direct supervision over workers in the performance of their day to day tasks.

Impact of Actions: Positions in this class have a direct impact upon the success or failure of the agricultural research, extension, business and farming goals and objectives for the individual institution, facility or component program they facilitate.

Personal Contacts: This class has frequent contacts within the institution to which it is assigned and occasional outside contacts to discuss issues of farm activities and ordering supplies.

Knowledge: Working knowledge required depends upon the area of assignment. Working knowledge of all types of farm work, farm machinery, animals and pest control chemicals; field and greenhouse crop production and management; animal husbandry; livestock production, maintenance and breeding; pest identification and pesticide application procedures; agricultural research/experimental techniques and procedures; carpentry, plumbing, welding and other mechanical practices.

Skills: Working skills include operating agricultural/farm machinery, tools and equipment, and horticulture, orchard and research equipment; operating and utilizing carpentry, plumbing and electrical equipment; preparing and processing vegetables and fruits; and artificially inseminating livestock.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to train, direct and supervise others; follow complex oral and/or written instructions; organize work assignments; and collect, organize and maintain accurate records of compiled data.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certificates: Pesticide Applicator Certification may be required.

Education or Training: Graduation from high school in a program which includes course work and/or training primarily in any one of the applicable agricultural sciences.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in the production, management/maintenance and/or research aspects of agricultural or farming operations involving livestock, field or greenhouse crops. Experience in the use of a variety of farming and research equipment, machinery and tools and their maintenance and repair.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class is a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program and replaces the class of Agricultural Manager A. It was established in September 1989.

Last updated: 9/16/89