The NH Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of New Hampshire seeks the next manager and leader for the UNH Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center. This position oversees the farm’s operations, finances, personnel, and facilities to ensure excellence in animal care, infrastructure management, and daily farm functions. The manager supervises full-time staff and student employees, coordinates research projects, teaching activities, and outreach events, and works closely with faculty, Extension professionals, staff, industry partners, and vendors. A particular priority is supporting the success of the UNH CREAM program and facilitating the farm’s teaching and research mission. Through strong leadership, a commitment to human and animal safety, respectful collaboration, and effective resource management, the manager will help advance research that supports New Hampshire’s dairy industry, provide impactful hands-on education for future food system professionals, and strengthen UNH’s reputation as a leader in dairy science, innovation, and workforce development. To apply, please use the link: bit.ly/fairchild-manager
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership of operations and people
- Provide overall leadership of the facility and the many diverse groups of stakeholders (researchers, instructors, students, student workers, residents, visitors, internal and external vendors and partners) who use and support the facility to meet the research, teaching, and engagement missions of UNH.
- Ensure that there is a collegial, communications-driven, and supportive culture of work that ensures that all those who use and visit the facility are welcomed and productive.
- Supervise full time employees, student workers, and adjunct staff.
- Be an active participant in regular meetings with other farm managers.
- Work with the NHAES operations manager to oversee the facility’s budget and provide responsible fiscal leadership.
- Work with the NHAES Director to identify, plan, and execute strategic investments to ensure long-term sustainability of the facility and its operations.
Animal health and care
- Oversee the overall standards and protocols for animal care, healthcare, and data logging, ensuring that they follow industry best practices, align with UNH IACUC requirements and USDA requirements, and are coordinated with the UNH Attending Veterinarian.
- Identify and participate in continuing education of animal health and care and actively incorporate new knowledge and practices into the facility’s standard operating procedures.
- With the assistant manager, manage herd health and breeding.
- Provide training and instruction to staff, student workers, students, and others in identifying animal care issues and managing them.
- Ensure that veterinary supplies and records are regularly maintained, checked, ordered, and disposed of properly.
Farm operations
- Participate in daily facility cleaning and animal feeding and milking chores.
- Ensure effective milk and animal sales.
- Working with UNH Farm Services, ensure effective manure management.
- Working with UNH Farm Services, ensure effective seasonal delivery and storage of feed.
- Ensure that there are sufficient student and adjunct staff employees and student residents to ensure effective farm operations.
Equipment and facilities maintenance and repair
- Track and conduct preventative maintenance on farm machinery and infrastructure.
- Communicate and coordinate with internal (UNH Facilities, UNH Farm Services) partners and external vendors to ensure timely and effective repairs of facilities and equipment.
- Ensure that farm, office, and student living facilities meet safety, comfort, and presentability standards for employees; faculty, staff, and students; residents; and visitors.
Assisting with research and teaching activities
- Working with researchers to coordinate, set up, and facilitate research projects.
- Working with instructors to provide guest lectures, educational activities at the farm, and coordinating classes and student clubs.
- Engaging with faculty, staff, extension professionals, and NHAES staff to organize outreach events at the farm for external stakeholders and audiences.
Other duties
- Other related and relevant duties as assigned.
Requirements
Minimum Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in animal science, dairy science, or a closely related field.
- 5+ years experience working on a dairy farm, with demonstrated progression in responsibility and leadership.
- 4+ years of supervisory and leadership experience
- Experience in advanced mechanical repairs and management.
- Experience with conducting or supporting agricultural research, including knowledge IACUC protocols.
- Experience in agricultural education and training.
- Knowledge and experience of overseeing building and other farm infrastructure construction and repair projects.
- Valid CDL.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Excellent communication skills and a commitment to timely and effective communication among employees and stakeholders.
- Supervisory and leadership skills needed to hire, train, and retain full-time and student employees.
- Experience in managing interpersonal interactions and leading supportive and collegial working environments for employees of different experience levels and skillsets.
- Training and experience in animal care and health topics, including artificial insemination and breeding.
- Knowledge and repair experience in basic mechanics.
- Experience in operating farm equipment and machinery (including milking equipment, feeding equipment, and mini loader) and ability to train other workers.
- Experience using computers for managing animal information, employee record keeping, and payroll.
- Sufficient strength and physical dexterity to perform duties and responsibilities of this job including heavy work (lifting up to 50 pounds) with exposure to inclement weather conditions for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to wear and use appropriate personal protection equipment as necessary.
- Commitment to building and maintaining a culture of shared responsibility, team-based success, and continuous improvement.
Applicant Instructions:
Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents)
- Current resume that demonstrates skillsets and experience relevant to the position description.
- Cover letter that provides a vision for leading a teaching and research dairy farm at a land-grant university and examples of relevant skillsets and experiences that demonstrate a strong fit with the position.
- Names and contact information (verified email and/or phone number) of three references.
Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.
Priority Review Deadline
Applications submitted prior to August 1, 2026.
FTE
Full-time, benefitted, salaried 1.0 FTE position.
Apply
To apply, please use the link: bit.ly/fairchild-manager
