Manager-Agricultural Operations — CFAES Wooster Campus

The Ohio State University • Wooster, AR

1d • $58,700 - $77,200 • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Superintendent of Farm Operations, the Manager-Agricultural Operations oversees daily management of production farm operations on the CFAES Wooster Campus. The role provides leadership for field operations supporting crop and forage production, supports Ohio State ATI student experiential learning, field scale research, extension demonstration plots in collaboration with teaching and extension faculty, staff, and students.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related field (equivalent education/experience considered).
• At least 3 years of professional experience in crop production and farm management, including comprehensive record-keeping.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience with precision agriculture technologies and specialized software.
• At least 3 years of experience supervising and mentoring employees or student teams.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, farm/project management software, and professional digital communication.
• Skilled in the operation, maintenance, and repair of modern farm machinery.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and can obtain a commercial pesticide license within one year of hire.
• Ability to regularly lift 50 pounds and perform physically demanding work, including kneeling, stooping, and manual labor in a field environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree in a relevant agricultural discipline.
• Working knowledge of field-scale research methods and experimental design.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in crop production and farm management, including comprehensive record-keeping.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience with precision agriculture technologies and specialized software.
• Experience with modern data collection, analysis, and management specifically for crop production.
• Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) status, Project Management Professional PMP, CDL, others
• Experience teaching or presenting complex agricultural concepts to various audiences.

Responsibilities

• Leads daily production operations, including farm crew assignments, crop rotations, and input management.
• Coordinates with livestock departments to determine forage needs.
• Manages all forage production and manure management activities, including vendor coordination.
• Maintains production records, precision agriculture data, and reporting for USDA Farm Service Agency programs.
• Ensures farm resources align with teaching, outreach, and research objectives.
• Serves as liaison to ATI faculty and point of contact for internal and external partners.
• Supports teaching labs and practicums by aligning equipment, field space, and rotations.
• Provides consultation to faculty, attends labs, and supplies resources for campus farm activities.
• Leads training programs for faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on equipment operation and farm safety.
• Actively participates in equipment operation and agricultural fieldwork.
• Coordinates grounds maintenance within the unit and with other campus research farms.
• Performs business functions including purchase requests, invoice submission, and procurement support.
• Communicates operational progress to faculty, staff, and students.
• Collaborates with the other research farm managers on crop rotations, services, and labor needs.
• Hires, trains, and supervises farm operations staff.
• Aligns performance management and accountability across the unit.
• Ensures staff receive proper and annual safety training.
• Represents the department on the Wooster Campus Safety Committee as needed.
• Contributes to strategic planning to improve teaching support, outreach, resource management, and farm operations efficiency.
• Provides recommendations on equipment, facilities, labor, and policy development.
• Provides input for field days and outreach events.
• Assists with snow removal, budget monitoring, time/effort tracking, and crop marketing.
• Ensures a safe work environment, including equipment operation and pesticide use.
• Participates in continuing education, team meetings, and professional development.
• Develops relevant training programs for farm staff.
• Works a flexible schedule based on weather, soil, pest, and crop conditions.

Benefits

• Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager