Position Function:
Manage the research and production operations of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Bearden Dairy Research Center (Bearden Center) including the dairy shop facilities.
This position is running concurrently with PARF 510477 with only one position being filled.
Salary Grade: 15
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department currently houses approximately 625 undergraduate students and 20 faculty, both on campus and at research and extension centers throughout Mississippi. The Department conducts teaching, research, and extension activities on the 1,200-acre H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center and Bearden Research Dairy. The Bearden Dairy Research Facility is a 1,200 acre farm with 135-150 free-stall housed lactating cows, milking ~100 Holsteins and ~35 Jerseys in a modern Double 8 parallel milking parlor that was renovated in 2021-2022. The heifer/dry cow facility can house ~100 head. The cull cow herd of ~25-35 head is used for teaching in Animal and Dairy Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine.
Area of Specialization:
Dairy Unit
Anticipated Appointment Date:
July 1, 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Maintain and manage all dairy operations including managing the parlor, staff, students, reproduction operations, and equipment and computer programs.
2. Managing heifer and cow breeding programs and artificial insemination of animals.
3. Keep extensive records using PC Dart Herd Management Software.
4. Ensure all animal medical treatments and procedures are kept up to date and interact with veterinary faculty and staff.
5. Manage and maintain the Double 8 milking parlor equipment and the Dairy Plan 21 system.
6. Assist and support research project activities.
7. Train and manage Assistant Herders and Dairy Milkers with daily tasks and education.
8. Order commodities and manage commodity inventory and delivery of rations.
9. Responsible for general management and operation of dairy shop facilities to include maintenance management, facilities operation, grounds maintenance, and environmental compliance.
10. Responsible for safety management including inspection of compliance issues, emergency response planning, pesticide storage, and waste records.
11. Responsible for property inventory control and monitoring of facilities-related spending.
12. Maintains accurate records of inventory and maintenance related to farm operations for audit and accounting purposes.
13. Delegate responsibility and promote community among staff for direct support of research and general management of dairy shop operations.
14. Oversees employees for farm operation, equipment and shop maintenance, land preparation, building and repairing fences, cultivating and harvesting crops, and application of pesticides and herbicides.
15. Manages and coordinates farm operations to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of the department/unit. Plans crop planting and harvesting. Confer with research personnel regarding maintenance of research plots and related matters.
16. Organizes daily work schedule for farm operation; supervises, assigns duties, trains, evaluates and approves timesheets for farm staff. Approves leave for employees.
17. Recommends purchase of equipment, materials, supplies and other related items.
18. Oversees maintenance of equipment and machinery including assisting in the purchase of repair and replacement parts and maintenance supplies as well as performing routine maintenance and minor repairs to farm equipment.
19. Recommends improvements in farm management techniques and economical use of facilities.
20. Operates various farm equipment to perform various farm operations such as hay, forage, crop harvesting, and pasture maintenance as well as ground maintenance such as mowing and bushhogging.
21. Serves as liaison between facility operations and outside vendors; recommends correction of deficiencies; coordinates remodeling activities as appropriate for the position.
22. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences or related field.
Certification in artificial insemination.
Experience: Supervisory, farm operation, equipment and maintenance and dairy cattle production experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of farm equipment operation.
Knowledge of dairy cattle production.
Ability to manage people.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and customer service oriented.
Basic Microsoft Word and Excel skills and the ability to communicate electronically.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Considerable physical activity. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of the job. Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
All applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu to be considered for this position. Attach to the online application college transcripts, resume, and cover letter. Any social security numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online. Three names of reference along with contact information should be submitted with the application.
Screening Date:
May 12, 2026, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
