Superintendent, V-Bar-V/DK Ranch

The Superintendent position supervises staff and serves as the site lead at both the V-Bar-V (V-V) and Cracchiolo Ranch (DK). This position works with the Arizona Experiment Station (AES) Director, University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), University Animal Care (UAC), and University Animal Welfare (UAW) departments, and is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance, proper animal care, husbandry, and herd management under the 500-cow federal grazing permit.

This position works with the AES Director and the Range Science Coordinator in the development of the V-V annual grazing plans and Annual Operating Instructions with the US Forest Service. The V-V superintendent works collaboratively with UA Faculty, extension personnel, government, and external stakeholders in facilitating active research, teaching, and outreach opportunities at the V-V and DK, in line with the UA land grant mission.

V-V and DK infrastructure includes the Forest Service grazing permit, cattle handling facilities, fields, shops, equipment, personnel, and long-term cattle performance and genomic data. The Director is responsible for managing the $750K annual operating budget, as well as executing and delivering contractual services and agreements generating revenue annually.

This position is required to reside onsite at V-V Ranch to provide day-to-day and 24-hour emergency services as needed, and housing will be provided.

The Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension (ALVSCE) includes the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Arizona Cooperative Extension, and Arizona Experiment Station, which represent the land-grant mission areas of instruction, research, and Extension. Our foundational goal, to be the most sought-after place to be a part of, is evident throughout the division from our Diversity and Inclusiveness Council to our employee engagement survey. To find out more about ALVSCE, go to https://alvsce.arizona.edu/.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Manage and lead support staff and other ranch personnel.
• Evaluate performance, solicit and recruit personnel, and build team strengths and personnel awareness.
• Coordinate resources and facility infrastructure improvement focused on provision of daily animal care needs, husbandry, and management of UA livestock herd in line with UA IACUC and AAALAC standards.
• Responsible for adaptive grazing strategies and ecological monitoring for range management.
• Responsible for the repair and maintenance of all equipment and facilities at both locations.
• Manage V-V and DK Ranches by overseeing and making daily decisions, reviewing and developing management strategies, enforcing policy, establishing operational guidelines, resolving issues during challenging situations, and overseeing daily research operations.
• Engage and communicate with research faculty, industry representatives, stakeholders, community leaders, and support staff personnel in designing, planning, and executing a variety of research programs and activities.
• Communicate effectively and regularly with project leaders and other users of the facility to determine needs, feasibility, and resources, and assign support resources in a timely fashion to accomplish tasks.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of and expertise in rangeland cattle production practices on federal land including artificial insemination, breeding, palpation, genetic-based trait selection, livestock marketing, federal land grazing policies and practices, best practices for support of research, extension and education programs, field station operations and facilities, and team leadership.
• Ability to use the computer proficiently including Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and email.
• Ability to work in a busy, dynamic environment where each day will present new challenges and opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of related work experience, including 2 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of
  education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
• This position is required to reside onsite at V-V Ranch.

• Five or more years of related managerial experience.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Animal Science, Range Science, or related field of study.
• Significant and exceptional work experience as staff or as a leader on a Land Grant University Research Station.
• Commercial Drivers License (CDL).