Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Livestock Coordinator

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success, and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

POSITION SUMMARY

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities, and businesses. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan's economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities, and empower our children to dream of a successful future.

Bowers Farm at Discovery Oaks is a centerpiece of Oakland County Parks' (OCP) Food, Farm, and Managed Landscapes initiative, one of the strategic pillars of Mission 26, OCP's framework for building a connected, equitable, and resilient countywide park system. Mission 26 recognizes parks as essential civic infrastructure that supports public health, environmental stewardship, learning, and community life. The Food, Farm, and Managed Landscapes initiative extends this mission by developing working agricultural landscapes across the OCP system that produces food, sustains ecological health, and creates meaningful learning and community experiences for Oakland County residents.

As part of MSU Extension and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), the Livestock Coordinator will assist in overseeing and managing the daily operational activities of a working educational farm to support research, teaching, and outreach goals. You will provide operational leadership and comprehensive livestock care for Bowers Farm at Discovery Oaks, an approximately 84-acre working farm operated through a partnership between Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC), MSU Extension and Bloomfield Hills Schools. In this role, you will play a critical role in animal welfare, student learning, farm production, site stewardship, educational programming and community engagement.

Bowers Farm at Discovery Oaks is a multi-species working farm whose livestock operations play a vital role in the overall functioning of the site. As the Livestock Coordinator, you will be the primary point of contact for all livestock-related matters. Responsibilities encompass daily livestock chores, animal health monitoring, supply and feed management, pasture rotation, coordination of a breeding program, and marketing and processing of livestock. You will also actively contribute to 4-H programs, summer camps, school programs, and special events at the farm, including supporting workshops, school programs, public programs, summer day camps, public visitor hours, and participating in community events.

You will support the coordination and execution of daily farm operations, including the care and maintenance of livestock, crops, equipment, facilities, and farm infrastructure. You will maintain fencing, barns, shelters, water systems, and livestock infrastructure, and ensure adequate supplies of feed, bedding, hay, and equipment through inventory tracking and purchasing. You will maintain farm system records and databases, including production data, and evaluate records to support farm management decisions. You will inspect equipment and facilities, recommend service or repair, and fabricate specialized equipment when necessary. You will also help maintain a clean, safe, and compliant working environment in accordance with safety rules, codes, and regulations.

You will play a key role in livestock care and health management in alignment with MSU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) standards and Bowers Farm at Discovery Oaks Standard Operating Procedures. You will work with the Bowers Farm at Discovery Oaks Manager and the Discovery Oaks Park Supervisor to develop and implement a livestock chore schedule that ensures all animals are observed at least twice daily, seven days a week.  You will provide routine and emergency care for livestock species including goats, horses, cattle, pigs, and poultry. You will monitor, document, and maintain animal health records and treatment logs, implement biosecurity protocols, and ensure proper nutrition, hoof care, and preventative health practices. You will address minor health concerns in coordination with the on-site livestock care team and report major veterinary issues to the Farm Manager. You will consult with veterinary professionals to manage herd health, medication inventory, and treatment plans, and you will prepare animals for educational and public programming. You will also support breeding, production, and marketing efforts by assisting in planning and executing breeding programs, coordinating the buying and selling of livestock, and arranging processing and meat sales when appropriate. You will maintain animal registration records, breed documentation, and support merchandising and marketing of farm products.

You will contribute to educational programming and community engagement by assisting faculty and Extension educators with research and outreach initiatives, coordinating farm-based programming, conducting tours, and supporting public-facing demonstrations. You will oversee the safe handling and presentation of animals during on-site and off-site events. In this role, you will also support staffing, volunteer coordination, and administrative functions by assisting in recruiting, training, scheduling, and supervising staff and volunteers. You will ensure compliance with MSU Extension Volunteer Selection Process requirements and assist with hiring processes, performance management, and resolution of workplace concerns.

This position will be located at Bowers Farm at Discovery Oaks in Oakland County and requires the Livestock Coordinator to reside in the on-site farm residence at the Farm as a condition of employment. Continuous on-site presence is necessary to ensure the welfare of livestock seven days per week, including early mornings, evenings, and emergency care. Details regarding the residential arrangement, including any associated allowances or offsets, will be outlined in the offer of employment and governed by applicable MSU Extension and OCPRC policies.

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal. The position is non-union.

Characteristic Duties/ Responsibilities

• Oversees and/or assists in managing the daily operations of the farm/facility to accomplish the research, teaching, or outreach goals.
• Maintains and cares for the livestock and crops.
• Orders supplies and equipment in order to maintain a working inventory.
• Assists in maintaining farm system records and data bases, records data and evaluates production records.
• Conducts tours of farms/facilities in order to promote public relations and provide information.
• Inspects equipment and facilities and recommends service or repair; and fabricates special equipment when necessary.
• Prepares animals for scheduled programming
• Assists in merchandising and/or marketing crops and animals.
• Assists in interviewing, hiring, supervising, scheduling, assigning and evaluating the support staff; resolving grievances and complaints.
• Assists in planning the farm breeding program and/or the crop program in order to produce the required feed and animals.
• Assists with implementing research projects by completing documentation of animal care and use.
• Assists in managing the Extension activities for the farm.
• Participates in enforcing safety rules, codes, regulations and maintains a clean and safe working environment.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Animal Science or Crop and Soil Science or agricultural field related to the area of employment.
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in supervision, all areas of farm work/production within specific animal groups and/or crops related to the area of employment.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in computer usage.
• Knowledge of farm equipment.

Desired Qualifications

• Valid vehicle operator's license where needed to perform duties of the position.
• Experience working on a teaching farm, research farm, or public agricultural site.
• Pest applicator certification. If candidate does not possess certification, professional development will be provided through MSU Extension to pursue this certification.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in culture, access, and belonging, with a special emphasis on reaching populations representative of the communities we serve, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status, socio-economic class and other human differences.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, regulators, and industry partners.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and varied economic backgrounds and perspectives of the target population served.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office or plant environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Current resume/CV.
• Cover letter.
• Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.

Work Hours

Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://youtu.be/R58m2-um5Mg?si=Qra8RMsP

Summary of Physical Demands

Mildly disagreeable working conditions involving exposure to adverse weather conditions. The job requires heavy physical exertion and involves handling animals and lifting and moving equipment, hay and harvested crops of over 75 pounds up to 25% of the time.