Technical Assistant III (Equine Barn Manager)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Oversees the daily operations of the Equine Facilities at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMA) Hadley Farm, including responsibility for the care and feeding of horses and maintenance of the facility. Maintains all records. Serves as support for the teaching, research, and outreach programs of the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) and Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (VASCI).

Essential Functions

• Supervises and participates in the daily care and feeding of the equine herd at the Hadley Farm, including cleaning stalls and paddocks, turning out horses, and operating farm machinery. Improves the efficiency of equine operations and the quality of horse care.
• Provides daily care and handling of the equine education and research herd, including foals and stallions. Maintains daily records on all horses, and coordinates with teaching and research faculty, staff, and UMA Animal Care Office on protocols.
• Hires, trains, and directly supervises student employees (20, FTE = 3). Works alongside student employees, while providing instruction and feedback to the students in the tasks necessary to care for the equine herd. Ensures appropriate scheduling and coordination of student employees in the Hadley equine barn. Reviews and ensures submission of student timecards weekly.
• Operates farm machinery in the care of animals and maintenance of Hadley Barn facilities and travel to work sites, including but not limited to: tractors equipped with front end loader, UTVs, trucks with attached trailer, mowers, manure spreaders, and related implements.
• Assists faculty in the scheduling and instruction of equine - related laboratory exercises for the Department of Veterinary and Animals Sciences.
• Instructs undergraduate and graduate students in appropriate use of facilities, animal restraint, etc.
• Provides support and assists with the coordination of student and public outreach programs at the facility, including clubs, equine shows, clinics, and related programs.
• Conducts daily health and well-being checks on all horses located at Hadley Farm. Conducts daily facility inspections, including barn, sheds, and pastures / fences. Maintains daily care records for the herd. Keeps up to date registration records, as required.
• Purchases necessary feed, medical, and associated education/research/management supplies. Oversees the storage of health and pharmacological products in accordance with FDA, USDA, and UMA Animal Care Office Standards. Ensures the maintenance of accurate inventory records.
• Implements standard operating procedures based on evidence-based, best management practice protocols provided by faculty.
• Manages medical and health maintenance programs, including routine and emergency situations. Maintains health and reproduction records as required by equine faculty, UMA Animal Care, Federal and State Government Authorities, and Breed Registries. Coordinates veterinary, farrier, and dentist appointments and aftercare for the horses. Oversees treatments and/or assists with treatments, as necessary. Maintains barn calendar for all upcoming appointments.
• Provides support to VASCI classes, labs, and events utilizing the horses, such as having requested animals ready for scheduled classes, restraining horses during labs, setting up facilities, supervising students completing class duties with horses, fostering an inclusive environment for students to gain husbandry skills, assisting with student boarding operations, and assisting with foal watches and aftercare.
• Assists Farm Manager in development of annual budget. Operates equine facility within approved budgets. Provides input to Farm Manager on the purchase of equipment and supplies necessary for the operation of the equinefacility.

Other Functions

• Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. In the performance of work, takes initiative, is creative, and operates with self-direction. Works in partnership with colleagues within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High School Diploma.
• Three (3) or more years of related experience, including supervisory experience. An Associate's degree or higher in Equine Management or related field can be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Experience in the handling of stallions and foals.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Familiarity with equine handling, nutrition, and reproduction/management practices.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and university regulations related to the use of animals in teaching and research.
• Ability to perform manual aspects associated with the care and feeding of horses.
• Ability to operate farm equipment, including but not limited to: tractors equipped with front end loaders, UTV, truck with attached horse trailer, mowers, manure spreaders, and related implements.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to use Microsoft Office platform including Excel, Word, Teams/Zoom software.
• Knowledge of equine first aid and evidence-based best management practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to organize, set priorities, and follow through on tasks.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Five (5) or more year's equine stable management experience including supervisory experience. An Associate's degree or higher in Equine Management or related field may substitute one (1) year of experience.
• Extensive experience in equine handling, care, nutrition, reproduction, and management practices.
• Experience with the operation of farm equipment in support of animal management, ability to perform basic maintenance of equipment.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and university regulations related to the use of animals in teaching and research.
• Extensive experience with equine first-aid and evidence-based livestock best management practices.
• Experience with pasture management, rotational grazing, and the use and maintenance of portable and fixed electric and non-electric fencing.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds repetitively.
• Must be able to work for extended periods in adverse environmental conditions including extreme heat and/or cold, rain, snow, etc.
• Must be able and willing to work with hazardous materials.
• Requires the ability to balance, carry, pull/push, stand, bend, climb, drive, reach, sit, twist, lift, and perform repetitive movements.

Additional Details

• May be required to report to duty during off hours / holidays to respond to emergency situations, provide adequate coverage to equine facilities, and/or support laboratory and other teaching activities of the department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.
• This position is designated as essential and on call.
• Direct Reporting Supervisor: UMA CAFE Farm Manager. Functional Supervisor: Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences; Director of Equine Programs.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 4:00pm with 1 hour lunch period; 37.5 hours per week.
• May be required to work after hours or holidays to respond to emergencies or staff shortages.

Salary Information

Grade 15

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a cover letter and resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here (https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan).

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.