Job Description

General Purpose:

Provide regular personal contact and service to all Western Area farmer-owners within the Central Valley territories. Maintain and grow the Western Area member milk supply. Ensure members produce milk meeting Western Area standards while maintaining a continuous IMS-rated supply of milk. Assist farmer-owners to improve milk quality and administer Western Area policies/programs, as well as national dairy industry programs at the producer level. Actively promote the Western Area in the community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide all members in territory with the services, information, and assistance the member requires in order producing high quality milk. Inform members on the latest production practices that members may utilize to increase their production per cow or expand their dairy operations.
• Monitor members' milk quality/component test results and provide prompt technical advice and service to those having difficulty earning quality premiums or are failing to meet Grade A or local market standards
• Inform the Field Supervisor of members who, after repeated efforts to assist them, are unwilling to correct chronic milk quality problems.
• Work with all federal and state regulatory agencies to maintain membership milk on Grade A and IMS- approved status.
• Regularly work with milk haulers and DFA transportation dispatchers and others in the territory to develop good relationships, openly discuss problems, and develop ways to improve service.
• Inform Field Supervisor and other appropriate staff of significant developments in area that affect relationships with producers, haulers, customers, competitors, regulatory agencies, or the public. Provide managers and administrative staff with complete, accurate, timely information - both written and verbal - required to effectively administer Western Area programs and policies
• Communicate with members and their workers the importance of the national dairy industry program, Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program and DFA’s Gold Standard Program
• Assist in the awareness, completion and progress of FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) and Workforce Development (WFD) Modules. In addition to becoming certified to complete the ES and WFD evaluations for the Area.
• Provide outreach to members on available resources to develop and implement a dairy biosecurity program to obtain farm operation security
• Maintain an excellent relationship with members. Work with the Field Supervisor and other appropriate staff, promptly develop and implement a plan to communicate the benefits of being a DFA member.
• Stay informed of developments in the dairy industry and be versed on the full benefits of being a DFA/Western Area member. Identify opportunities that bring value to members through DFA Farm Services, coordinating farm visits and/or introductions for the various service providers.
• Stay abreast of federal and state agriculture/dairy legislative issues. Contact legislators when necessary to present the Western Area’s position on an issue. Educate members on these issues and encourage them to contact their legislators to support the Western Area position.
• Maintain documentation and quality reports related to customers to help ensure good quality milk is being delivered to all plants. Document contacts in the field on the DFA Salesforce platform
• Promptly respond to all producer requests and calls including those received outside normal working hours.
• Provide proper care and maintenance for the Western Area’s vehicle and equipment.

Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agri-business, dairy science or related field
• 2 - 5 years of directly related job experience
• Prior dairy farm experience is a significant plus
• Milk production and milk quality knowledge

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possesses basic skills and knowledge gained through specialized training and experience in areas such as milking system evaluation, cleaning and sanitizing evaluation, mastitis prevention, milk quality troubleshooting and membership solicitation.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Bilingual preferred but not required
• Good problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people in business and social settings.
• Strong customer service attitude/focus and a sincere desire to help dairy producers succeed.
• Basic to intermediate skill with desktop computers and MS Office software applications. (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Licensing and Certification:

· Valid driver’s license with no significant restrictions or violations

· Must obtain any certifications/licenses (e.g. certified industry inspector, CA Sampler and Weigher required by regulatory agencies as a condition of continued employment)

· Must obtain certification as a FARM Program evaluator for the Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship (ES) and Workforce Development (WFD) Modules.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work on dairy farm operations in all seasons.
• Exposed to heat, cold, dust, noise, agricultural chemicals, machinery, and livestock
• Substantial periods of driving required (20 - 30% of workday)
• Occasional evening and weekend work required
• Lift 30 pounds

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

Pay Range

$73000-$83000 / year