Superintendent/Shenandoah Valley AREC

About the Role

The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) and Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station (VAES) at Virginia Tech is seeking a Superintendent for the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SVAREC), located about 65 miles north of Roanoke near Steeles Tavern. Known as the McCormick Farm, the site was the home of Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the grain reaper. SVAREC supports research and extension programs in beef cattle production and reproduction, forages, sheep, and forestry, and hosts the annual Virginia Sheep Producers Association Performance Ram Lamb test. The center employs 3 full-time and 1 part-time staff, alongside the superintendent, and serves as a key information source for progressive beef, sheep, forage, and forest producers statewide.

The center comprises approximately 878 acres of land (plus additional leases) and livestock facilities. At least 12 faculty from other Virginia Tech units conduct cooperative research at SVAREC.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support for integrated research and Extension programs critical to the profitability and sustainability of beef, sheep, forages, forests, and related agricultural programs in Virginia.
• Oversee all aspects of Center operations, including research and Extension programs, budget preparation and management, facilities coordination, and daily management of staff.
• Recruit, evaluate, and supervise staff; serve as liaison with college and VAES administration and faculty.
• Promote center programs with local leaders and government agencies, ensuring public relations and visibility.
• Collaborate with faculty to develop strategic plans and execute research and extension protocols; schedule and prioritize work with staff.
• Physically assist with projects, herd management, facilities, grounds maintenance, and other operational tasks.
• Manage the historic McCormick Farm site, protect its historic status, facilitate tours, oversee the McCormick Memorial Plot, and host the annual McCormick Farm Mill Day.
• May carry and use a firearm for wildlife control as part of daily responsibilities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in animal science, agronomy, or a closely related discipline.
• Agricultural research experience.
• Strong professional leadership, communication, interpersonal, and administrative skills.
• Farm business management experience; experience in ruminant animal production, reproduction, forage utilization and management, including operation of farm equipment and livestock management.
• Physically able and willing to perform manual labor.
• Administrative experience with personnel and fiscal management.
• Strong commitment to applied research, extension programming, and long-term sustainability of agriculture.
• Proficiency in computer software programs (e.g., Microsoft) for management and communications.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds within the university, industry, and public sectors.
• Willingness to work with the McCormick museum in interpreting the McCormick story.

Preferred Qualifications

• Capacity for implementing technology applications such as precision agriculture and other technologies to advance applied research and Extension programming.
• Familiarity working with Extension, academia, and/or a farm-based research facility.

Pay

$95,000 - $105,000; commensurate with experience.

Schedule

40 hours per week. Overtime status: exempt (not eligible for overtime).

About the Organization

Virginia Tech is dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), pushing the boundaries of knowledge through a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars as leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution, Virginia Tech enhances the quality of life in Virginia and globally, fostering an inclusive community focused on knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers over 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 students across multiple campuses and research institutes, conducting over $650 million in research annually.