Institutional Farms Manager

Positions within this job family are assigned responsibilities involving directing the operations of farm and/or livestock programs, or food production and/or processing programs at a correctional institution.

Typical functions include:

• Planning and supervising the work of inmates in soil preparation, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvesting and storing of field crops and produce; supervising the operation and maintenance of farm machinery.
• Supervising an equine management program for inmates.
• Inspecting gardens, fields and orchards and recommending crop rotation, soil conditioners and materials used; estimating and planning for the seed and fertilizer needs of the farm.
• Ordering and supervising the grinding and mixing of feed and the watering and feeding of livestock.
• Maintaining herd health according to established standards and performing routine veterinary work.
• Supervising and participating in animal slaughtering, processing, packaging, inventory control, and distribution of food products.
• Inspecting barns and facilities; supervising cleaning and sanitation and making minor repairs as needed; ordering materials and equipment as required.
• Supervising milking of cows, cleaning of equipment and cleanliness of general dairy area.
• Supervising the receiving and distribution of eggs and making appropriate reports.
• Planning and regulating breeding programs.
• Keeping production records, breeding records and time cards.
• Planning and maintaining preventive maintenance program for vehicles, equipment, and structures.

Level descriptors:

Level I: This is the basic level of this job family where employees are primarily responsible for performing routine entry-level work. Incumbents are assigned responsibilities and receive formal on-the-job training the supervision of inmates, and a variety of duties in the operation of a dairy, poultry, field crops, beef cattle, swine, equine, food production and/or processing, pecan production, or other state-operated agricultural programs within the Department of Corrections.

Level II: This is the career level of the job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities for a full range of agricultural operations to ensure the health and welfare of livestock and/or the quality and guarantee of a consumable food product. Responsibilities may include providing training and assistance to new farm managers in the completion of various duties.

Level III: This is the specialist level of this job family where employees are routinely assigned responsibilities for advanced level agricultural work related to maintaining and administering all livestock health and guaranteeing top quality food products for consumption and providing training and assistance to other farm managers. Duties may include oversight of a smaller enterprise within the agriculture or food production unit that may include, but not be limited to livestock feed production, dairy production, meat processing and production, and vegetable processing and production.

Knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies required include knowledge of agriculture, livestock or field crop operations; of the safe operation, maintenance, and routine repair of vehicles, equipment, and structures; of dairy operations; of the treatment of common livestock or field crop disease; of supervisory and instructional practices and procedures, including directing inmates; and of a food production and/or processing operation. Ability is required to implement plans and programs in a variety of agricultural practices; to establish and maintain working relationships with others; to perform routine veterinary work; and to maintain records.

Education and experience requirements vary by level:

Level I: Four years of experience in agriculture and/or food production or processing operations; or a bachelor's degree in agriculture, food or meat science, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Level II: Five years of experience in agriculture and/or food production or processing operations; or a bachelor's degree in agriculture, food or meat science, or a closely related field plus one year of experience in an agricultural operation and/or a food production/processing operation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Level III: Seven years of experience in agriculture and/or food production or processing operations; or a bachelor's degree in agriculture, food or meat science, or a closely related field plus three years of experience in an agricultural operation and/or a food production/processing operation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special requirements include the determination that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.

Additional job description includes Agri-Services/Jackie Brannon Correctional Center Meat. This is not a remote position.

Equal opportunity employment is provided by the State of Oklahoma, which does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.