Field Representative

Join the Our Talent Network•Batavia, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, a farmer- and employee-led organization owned by over 200 local family farms, is a leading dairy cooperative in America. We process and market a variety of high-quality dairy products, including milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, and cottage cheese, under well-known brands such as Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Our mission is to support sustainable farming practices, strong communities, and to deliver fresh, local dairy products to consumers daily. The Field Representative plays a crucial role in supporting our member farms by ensuring they meet Upstate Niagara Cooperative's Dairy program requirements. This involves focusing on milk quality, regulatory compliance, animal care, environmental stewardship, and workforce development. Working closely with Area Managers and reporting to the Manager, Member Services, this position acts as a key liaison between the cooperative and its member farms. Responsibilities include conducting regulatory farm inspections as a Certified Milk Inspector (CMI), assisting with FARM program evaluations, promoting milk quality improvements, and building strong relationships with producers through consistent communication, education, and support.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Agriculture, or a related field.
Basic understanding of dairy farm operations, cattle care and handling, and milk quality management.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Certified Milk Inspector (CMI) license within the first year of employment.
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to learn and navigate data-entry and reporting platforms.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
Excellent attention to detail and recordkeeping abilities.
Ability to identify issues, assist with problem-solving, and escalate concerns appropriately.
Effective time-management and organizational skills with the ability to independently manage a multi-farm schedule.
Dependable, self-motivated, and committed to continuous learning.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of farm and cooperative information.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position.

Nice To Haves

Dairy farm internships or hands-on dairy farm experience.
Exposure to FARM program standards, environmental stewardship programs, FARM ES, or COOL Farm Tool through coursework, internships, or professional training.
Associate degree plus two years of dairy farm experience.
Four years of dairy industry experience.

Responsibilities

Obtain and maintain a Certified Milk Inspector (CMI) license through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, including completion of all required training, examinations, and practical requirements within the first year of employment.
Conduct Grade "A" dairy farm inspections and support compliance with state and federal regulations, including the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO).
Monitor milk quality metrics, including somatic cell counts (SCC), bacterial counts, antibiotic residues, and other quality indicators.
Partner with producers to identify root causes of milk quality concerns and implement corrective action plans.
Maintain accurate inspection reports, farm records, corrective action documentation, and regulatory records.
Educate producers on regulatory requirements and provide practical guidance for achieving and maintaining compliance.
Conduct or assist with FARM Animal Care evaluations, including follow-up on required protocols, documentation, training, and third-party verification activities.
Work toward FARM Animal Care Evaluator Certification when eligibility requirements are met.
Support Environmental Stewardship initiatives by collecting farm data, completing FARM ES and COOL Farm Tool documentation, and following up on annual reporting requirements.
Conduct FARM Workforce Development evaluations and support producers with employee training, documentation, and workforce development resources.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and provide education, tools, and resources to help producers meet FARM program expectations.
Build and maintain strong relationships with member-producers through regular farm visits, communication, education, and problem-solving.
Serve as a trusted resource by responding to producer questions, addressing concerns, and connecting members with appropriate cooperative resources.
Communicate cooperative programs, policies, expectations, and other relevant information to member farms.
Collaborate with Area Managers, Member Services, milk quality personnel, and other cooperative departments to address member needs and resolve issues.
Participate in staff meetings, membership meetings, corporate meetings, and ongoing professional development activities related to regulatory requirements, FARM programs, milk quality, and cooperative operations.