Director, Farm Services
Location: Prairie View, TX · Type: Full time · Posted: 2026-06-25
· Reference: R-094471
Job Title
Director, Farm Services
Agency
Prairie View A&M University
Department
College Of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Prairie View, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Important Immigration information:
A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000
fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised
that Texas A&M University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need
immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult
with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether
your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment
from Texas A&M University subject to this fee.
In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium
on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce
Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship
for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ
you should you be selected as the final candidate.
The Farm Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and
administrative management for the Prairie View A&M University's (PVAMU)
Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Farm and Ranch operations in support of the
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' (CAFNR) land grant
mission of research, teaching, extension, outreach, and public service. The
position is responsible for ensuring that the farm operates as a modern,
efficient, safe, productive, and mission-aligned agricultural enterprise that
supports faculty research, student experiential learning, extension
programming, demonstrations, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable
agricultural development.
The Farm Director oversees integrated farm systems including crop production,
livestock operations, greenhouse systems, natural resource management,
equipment and infrastructure management, personnel supervision and performance
evaluation, and operational planning. The position works collaboratively with
faculty, research scientists, extension specialists, extension agents,
students, industry partners, and community stakeholders to advance CAFNR
priorities, the NIFA Plan of Work, and PVAMU's strategic initiatives.
The Farm Director serves as the lead operational administrator for farm
activities and is expected to provide forward-thinking leadership, operational
discipline, accountability, and innovation to support the continued growth and
modernization of the university's farm and ranch enterprise.
This position is funded by a grant or restricted funds. Continued
employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding.
The salary is determined in accordance with the University's compensation
structure and will be commensurate with the candidates' education and
experience, within the assigned salary range for this position.
Responsibilities:
Farm Operations Management and Strategic Leadership
Provide overall leadership and operational oversight for all farm and
ranch activities.
Direct and coordinate daily operations involving crops, livestock,
greenhouses, pasture systems, natural resources, and support facilities.
Develop and implement short- and long-range operational plans aligned with
CAFNR strategic priorities and institutional goals.
Establish seasonal work plans, operational calendars, production
schedules, labor plans, and resource allocation strategies.
Ensure operational efficiency, productivity, accountability, and
continuous improvement across all farm systems.
Coordinate land use planning, irrigation management, forage utilization,
and infrastructure utilization.
Lead efforts to modernize farm operations through technology integration,
precision agriculture tools, and data-driven management systems.
Support development of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural systems.
Research, Teaching, and Extension Support
Coordinate farm resources, personnel, equipment, and land to support
faculty-led research projects, demonstrations, field trials, and extension
programming.
Collaborate with faculty, researchers, extension specialists, and
extension agents to implement research protocols and educational
activities.
Support experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate
students.
Assist with field days, workshops, demonstrations, tours, and stakeholder
engagement activities.
Coordinate farm scheduling and use to support teaching laboratories,
student projects, and extension events.
Ensure farm operations effectively support interdisciplinary research and
extension initiatives.
Maintain records and reporting systems related to research and educational
activities.
Personnel Leadership and Workforce Management
Recruit, supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate farm personnel,
technicians, seasonal employees, student workers, interns, and support
staff.
Establish work assignments, schedules, operational expectations, and
performance standards.
Foster a collaborative, safe, professional work environment.
Promote workforce development, employee accountability, and operational
excellence.
Coordinate staff communication and support cross-functional collaboration
among operational units.
Support employee development through training opportunities related to
safety, technology, equipment, compliance, and operational procedures.
Equipment, Facilities, and Infrastructure Management
Oversee maintenance, repair, replacement planning, and safe operation of
farm equipment, machinery, vehicles, irrigation systems, barns, fencing,
storage facilities, greenhouses, feed systems, and related infrastructure.
Coordinate preventative maintenance programs and equipment utilization
schedules.
Monitor operational readiness of facilities and farm assets.
Oversee facility improvement projects and infrastructure upgrades.
Maintain accurate records related to maintenance activities, inventories,
and equipment usage.
Ensure safe operation and compliance with university policies and
agricultural safety standards.
Financial Management, Procurement, and Resource Stewardship
Assist with preparation and management of farm operating budgets.
Monitor expenditures, cost recovery activities, purchasing, inventory
control, and operational resource utilization.
Oversee procurement of equipment, supplies, livestock inputs, chemicals,
feed, seed, fertilizer, and related operational materials.
Support strategic allocation of resources to maximize operational
effectiveness.
Maintain accurate operational and financial records.
Assist leadership with budget projections, operational forecasting, and
financial planning.
Compliance, Environmental Stewardship, and Safety
Ensure compliance with university, state, federal, USDA, and environmental
regulations.
Oversee implementation of agricultural safety protocols, pesticide
regulations, biosecurity procedures, animal welfare standards, and
environmental stewardship practices.
Promote sustainable land management, soil conservation, water management,
and resource protection.
Coordinate inspections, audits, certifications, and required
documentation.
Maintain operational records associated with compliance and safety
programs.
Support emergency response planning and risk management activities.
Outreach, Partnerships, and Stakeholder Engagement
Represent CAFNR and the university farm professionally with producers,
agencies, industry partners, community organizations, donors, and external
stakeholders.
Support outreach programming, demonstrations, tours, agricultural field
days, workshops, and public engagement events.
Foster partnerships that support research, workforce development,
extension programming, and farm sustainability.
Assist with development of collaborative initiatives aligned with land-
grant priorities.
Promote visibility and impact of university farm operations within the
agricultural community.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural
Engineering, Agricultural Systems Management, Natural Resources,
Environmental Science, Agribusiness, or a closely related field.
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in
farm management, agricultural operations, research farm administration,
ranch operations, or a related agricultural setting.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of crop production systems, livestock operations, natural
resources, pasture management, irrigation systems, and sustainable
agricultural practices.
Knowledge of farm equipment operation, maintenance, and agricultural
safety procedures.
Knowledge of environmental stewardship, land management, pesticide
regulations, and compliance standards.
Knowledge of operational planning, budgeting, inventory management, and
workforce coordination.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving
skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic
agricultural environment.
Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, researchers, extension
personnel, students, and stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree or Ph.D. in Agriculture, Agronomy, Animal Science,
Agricultural Engineering, Natural Resources, Agricultural Systems
Management, or a related field.
Experience supervising personnel and managing agricultural operations
involving crops, livestock, facilities, equipment, and land resources.
Experience supporting research, teaching, extension, demonstration, or
outreach activities.
Experience with budgeting, procurement, operational planning, and resource
management.
Experience in a land grant university, research farm, or extension
environment.
Experience managing integrated crop and livestock systems.
Experience supporting faculty research trials, extension demonstrations,
and student learning environments.
Experience with precision agriculture technologies, AI-enabled
agricultural systems, remote sensing, greenhouse automation, and digital
farm management platforms.
Licensed pesticide applicator or ability to obtain certification in 3-6
months after hire date.
Demonstrated success in improving operational efficiency, sustainability,
and farm productivity.
Experience managing large-scale agricultural operations and
multidisciplinary teams.
Other Requirements:
Work is performed in office, field, livestock, greenhouse, and outdoor
agricultural environments.
Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, livestock, agricultural chemicals,
machinery, and farm equipment.
Ability to perform moderate physical activity including walking fields,
lifting materials, inspecting facilities, and operating around livestock
and equipment.
Occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and emergency response work may be
required based on operational needs and seasonal demands.
Some travel may be required.
Job Posting Close Date:
Until Filled
Required Attachments:
Please attach all required documents listed below in the attachment box
labeled as either “Resume/CV or Resume/Cover Letter” on the application.
Multiple attachments may be included in the “Resume/CV” or Resume/Cover
Letter” attachment box. Any additional attachments provided outside of the
required documents listed below are considered optional.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Application Submission Guidelines:
All applicants are required to apply via our Career Site on or before the
closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via
email and websites such as Indeed, HigherEdJobs, etc. will not be considered
unless the individual has applied to the available position via the PVAMU
Career site.
The required documents listed in the above "Required Attachments" section must
be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to
ensure full consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the
Office of Human Resource on or before the closing date indicated above at
936-261-1730 or [email protected] should you need assistance with the online
application process.
Background Check Requirements:
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal
history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's
verification of credentials and/or other information required by the
institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history
check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
