Departmental Assistant - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment Farm Facilities

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Serves to support the daily operations of the UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) Farm Facilities, primarily at the Crop and Animal Research and Education Farm. Performs a variety of functions including but not limited to maintenance and repair of facilities, grounds, and equipment.

Essential Functions

Equipment Operation, Maintenance, and Repair :

• Operates motor vehicles and equipment necessary to support farm operations and maintenance. Equipment includes but is not limited to tractors equipped with front end loaders, plows, harrows, seeders, cultivators, mowers, snowplows, and trucks with attached trailers.
• Operates manual, electric, air, and motorized power tools.
• Provides general labor for routine equipment maintenance / annual servicing of equipment.
• Assists in fabrication and more advanced equipment repairs.

Facility and Grounds Maintenance and Repair :

Support of Field Research and Animal Care :

Other Functions

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

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

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

This position involves an outdoor working environment - applicants must be able to work for an extended period in adverse environmental including but not limited to extreme heat and / or cold, rain, snow, etc. Must be able to work with standard automotive fluids, solvents, etc. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds repetitively.

Additional Details

Work Schedule

Salary Information

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

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 at : Inclusive Excellence : College of Natural Sciences : UMass Amherst, and For the Common Good - 2024-2034 : Strategic Plan : UMass Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.