The University of Wisconsin – River Falls Equine Program is seeking a full-time Equine Farm Manager responsible for managing the daily operations of the Campus Farm which includes a herd of 60 – 140 horses. The successful candidate will provide day-to-day care and management of the equine herd; conduct routine farm facility maintenance and repair; assist faculty with needs for laboratory courses, programs, and projects; coordinate and provide support for events hosted at the Campus Farm; and supervise student employees working at the Campus Farm. This position is a full-time 12-month appointment. The standard university hours are 7:45-4:30 Monday-Friday. However, this position requires flexibility in scheduling hours to adapt to changing work conditions related to faculty, students, laboratory classes, and equine program/facility needs. There is an expectation of some weekend/evening and holiday work as needed. Appointment date: January 5, 2026.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will: provide for the health and production of the equine herd; supervise on average 12 student employees in all aspects of equine herd management; complete facility maintenance and repair tasks to meet safety and welfare standards; complete facility maintenance and repair tasks to meet safety and welfare standards; provide assistance in coordinating and managing events at the campus farm such as horse shows, sales, clinics, and outreach programs; provide professional assistance to faculty in labs and applied research grants/projects; and perform other duties as assigned at the discretion of Equine Program Director.

The individual will work with faculty to maintain appropriate safety standards, as well as a clean, well-maintained, and environmentally responsible facility. This includes performing regular maintenance on fencing, gates, and other facility repair. Machinery and tractor operation is necessary. Excellent interpersonal communication, mentoring, management and supervisory skills are required.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

       Animal Care and Herd Management

• Maintain healthy animals in the equine enterprise in accordance with animal care procedures and protocols and ensure compliance with the IUCAC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) rules and regulations.

• Directs and performs day-to-day activities related to horse farm operations such as feeding and monitoring of feed quality; watering; cleaning and bedding stalls and pens.

• Develop a management plan, maintain electronic records, and perform or manage health care procedures in the equine herd including but not limited to farrier and dental care, wound evaluation and management, routine medical administrations, and lameness evaluations.

Laboratory Farm Maintenance and Operations Management

• Operate equipment and machinery (farm tractors, skid loaders, trailers and associated equipment) and maintain equipment in safe and proper working order.

• Perform or coordinate routine facility maintenance of farm area including upkeep of pastures, grounds, arenas, and buildings.

• Maintain security and ensure compliance with biosecurity protocols.

• Adhere to mandated safety protocols regarding animals, equipment, and facilities.

Course and Program Support

• Ensure facilities, horses, and equipment are prepared, available, and/or in serviceable condition for use in courses, associated programs, and applied research.

• Provide professional assistance to faculty relative to animal science equine courses, programs, and research projects.

• Facilitate, coordinate and assist in college sponsored events and competitions including but not limited to judging contests, IHSA, rodeo, horse sales, shows and clinics, and university.

• Coordinate with external community and industry users hosting events at the campus farm facility.

• Provide and assist with farm tours and public relations.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Procure, maintain, and manage resources for the equine enterprise including but not limited to feed and bedding materials; supplies for routine animal care, facilities upkeep, and equipment maintenance; and equipment and supplies necessary for laboratory courses and associated programs.

• Communicate with horse and facility users regarding scheduling and course, programming, or event needs.

• Supervise and manage student employees including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluation of students across all aspects of the equine enterprise and academic support functions.

• Monitor and reconcile work study and student assistant budget allocations.

• Monitors the unit or program budget, approves unit expenditures, and ensures funds are used appropriately

• Identifies, develops, and facilitates unit staff training opportunities

• Directs and performs the day-to-day activities of an animal care facility, ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures to align with unit objectives and strategic initiatives

• Prepares, completes, audits, and documents animal care procedures, assessments, and medication administration according to established research protocols, rules and regulations

• Serves as the subject matter expert to unit leadership regarding unit operations and functions

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Evaluates and ensures feed quality

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science or closely related discipline. Candidates in the process of completing their bachelor’s degree will be considered for conditional appointment with degree completion no later than May 31, 2026.

• Demonstrated expertise in equine management.

• Experience operating machinery and equipment necessary for routine animal and facility management.

• Ability to perform routine maintenance of farm grounds, facilities, and equipment as needed.

• Documented knowledge of animal welfare as well as both human and animal health and safety protocols.

• Ability to accurately document and track processes related to animal care and equipment/facilities maintenance, manage budget allocations, and develop and present reports.

• Knowledge of and experience in computer software.

• Effective oral and written communication, problem solving, analytic and organizational skills.

• Possess or be able to obtain a valid Wisconsin driver's license.

• Pass a post-offer employment test.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an academic setting is preferred.

• Experience in supervising, managing and training staff.

• Experience in equine reproductive techniques and breeding management.

• Experience in managing pastures and hay production.

Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications.  Applicants are required to provide:

• Resume

• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

Inquiries should be addressed to:

Jennifer Weinert Nelson

Associate Professor and Search Chair

jennifer.weinertnelson@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before January 11, 2026.

The selected candidate must be able to pass a post-offer employment test and hold a valid driver’s license to obtain Wisconsin certification to drive University vehicles.

A six-month probationary period is required.
 

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.95%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguideus.pdf

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 

As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uwrf.edu; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix. 

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275. 

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy. 

UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact hr@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3518. 

The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.