Field Program Specialist - Raw Milk Handling Procedures, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, All cities, PA
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative -
All cities, PA,
US
Field Program Specialist - Raw Milk Handling Procedures
Date Posted: 2024-06-01
Job description
SUMMARY
MUST RESIDE IN THE SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA OR RELOCATE TO THAT AREA TO BE CONSIDERED
We are seeking a Field Program Specialist-Raw Milk Handling Procedures to join our team! This role involves providing essential support and expertise to our dairy farmer member owners, promoting best practices, and ensuring optimal productivity and profitability of dairy operations. Additionally, this position will monitor and ensure that proper procedures are being followed from loading raw
milk at member dairies to being unloaded at the processing plant.
The Field Program Specialist acts as a liaison between the dairy farm and Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA), sharing knowledge, resources, and solutions to address challenges and maximize the potential of the dairy farm.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Some overnight travel may be required.
Member Relations
Maintain relationships with the membership in an assigned geographical area
Be the liaison between Maryland & Virginia, its customers and the membership
Keep management informed of all membership concerns as they arise
Support board and management decisions to the membership
Participate in various industry-related functions and organizations
Attend and assist management at all membership meetings in your area
Help identify farms inside of designated membership area that can host customers for farm tours and assist with the facilitation of those tours
Procurement
Recruit and retain new member farms that meet the high standards of Maryland & Virginia customers including its own Maola farmer owned, local dairy brand
Be knowledgeable of federal milk pricing and be comfortable explaining all pieces to the monthly milk check
Understand the competitive environment in your area and how to compare MDVA pay programs to others
Food Safety/Quality/Regulatory and Customer Relations
Know and train membership on the specifications of quality raw milk
Keep membership informed of quality concerns as they arise
Know how to identify and troubleshoot quality concerns at member's operation
Use resources available to help solve quality concerns
Support and educate membership on food safety, customer quality and regulatory standards customer specifications are being met
Must be a state Certified Industry Inspector where applicable
Must maintain any required quality and regulatory records in good order
Required with the support of your manager and State Employed Sanitarian to uphold all the requirements for raw milk as outlined in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO)
Conduct routine Receiving Bay Audits with an emphasis on the six member owned processing plants and primary third-party customer plants to ensure proper milk onloading procedures are being followed. Report findings to management
Conduct routine Milk Hauler Evaluations to ensure proper raw milk loading procedures are being followed to ensure accurate sampling, milk weights, efficient pick-up and delivery of milk. Report findings to management
Where appropriate, use technology, i.e. video cameras/trail cameras, to aid in both Receiving Bay Audits and Milk Hauler Evaluations
Work with the Animal Care & Sustainability Staff to ensure a consistent message to the membership regarding FARM Animal Care and Sustainability protocols and practices
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree. Degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Dairy Science, or a related field preferred.
At least five years of related experience and/or training
OR
At least seven years of related experience and/or training
QUALIFICATIONS
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with dairy farmers and stakeholders.
Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and provide actionable recommendations.
Proficiency in using technology and software for data management and communication.
Problem-solving skills to address challenges faced by dairy farmers and develop effective solutions.
Knowledge of relevant regulations, biosecurity measures, and industry standards
Strong understanding of dairy cattle nutrition, health, genetics, and management practices preferred.
Practical experience working on dairy farms, in related agricultural roles, or milk or food processing facility preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS.
Certified Dairy Farm Inspector License (where required)
State Certified Milk Weigher/Sampler (where required)
Valid driver's license required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
MUST RESIDE IN THE SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA OR RELOCATE TO THAT AREA TO BE CONSIDERED
We are seeking a Field Program Specialist-Raw Milk Handling Procedures to join our team! This role involves providing essential support and expertise to our dairy farmer member owners, promoting best practices, and ensuring optimal productivity and profitability of dairy operations. Additionally, this position will monitor and ensure that proper procedures are being followed from loading raw
milk at member dairies to being unloaded at the processing plant.
The Field Program Specialist acts as a liaison between the dairy farm and Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA), sharing knowledge, resources, and solutions to address challenges and maximize the potential of the dairy farm.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Some overnight travel may be required.
Member Relations
Maintain relationships with the membership in an assigned geographical area
Be the liaison between Maryland & Virginia, its customers and the membership
Keep management informed of all membership concerns as they arise
Support board and management decisions to the membership
Participate in various industry-related functions and organizations
Attend and assist management at all membership meetings in your area
Help identify farms inside of designated membership area that can host customers for farm tours and assist with the facilitation of those tours
Procurement
Recruit and retain new member farms that meet the high standards of Maryland & Virginia customers including its own Maola farmer owned, local dairy brand
Be knowledgeable of federal milk pricing and be comfortable explaining all pieces to the monthly milk check
Understand the competitive environment in your area and how to compare MDVA pay programs to others
Food Safety/Quality/Regulatory and Customer Relations
Know and train membership on the specifications of quality raw milk
Keep membership informed of quality concerns as they arise
Know how to identify and troubleshoot quality concerns at member's operation
Use resources available to help solve quality concerns
Support and educate membership on food safety, customer quality and regulatory standards customer specifications are being met
Must be a state Certified Industry Inspector where applicable
Must maintain any required quality and regulatory records in good order
Required with the support of your manager and State Employed Sanitarian to uphold all the requirements for raw milk as outlined in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO)
Conduct routine Receiving Bay Audits with an emphasis on the six member owned processing plants and primary third-party customer plants to ensure proper milk onloading procedures are being followed. Report findings to management
Conduct routine Milk Hauler Evaluations to ensure proper raw milk loading procedures are being followed to ensure accurate sampling, milk weights, efficient pick-up and delivery of milk. Report findings to management
Where appropriate, use technology, i.e. video cameras/trail cameras, to aid in both Receiving Bay Audits and Milk Hauler Evaluations
Work with the Animal Care & Sustainability Staff to ensure a consistent message to the membership regarding FARM Animal Care and Sustainability protocols and practices
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree. Degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Dairy Science, or a related field preferred.
At least five years of related experience and/or training
OR
At least seven years of related experience and/or training
QUALIFICATIONS
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with dairy farmers and stakeholders.
Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and provide actionable recommendations.
Proficiency in using technology and software for data management and communication.
Problem-solving skills to address challenges faced by dairy farmers and develop effective solutions.
Knowledge of relevant regulations, biosecurity measures, and industry standards
Strong understanding of dairy cattle nutrition, health, genetics, and management practices preferred.
Practical experience working on dairy farms, in related agricultural roles, or milk or food processing facility preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS.
Certified Dairy Farm Inspector License (where required)
State Certified Milk Weigher/Sampler (where required)
Valid driver's license required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)