Supervisor - Agricultural Operations

A full time, permanent position as Supervisor – Agricultural Operations is available at The Rockhampton Grammar School. This is a live-in role, with accommodation provided on site at our Port Curtis Farm. 

Commencement for this position will be at the beginning of Term 2, 2024.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the supervision of and hands on support of operations, animal husbandry, maintenance of grounds, buildings and equipment to ensure Agricultural Operations are in optimal condition to support the educational and co-curricular programmes.

Competitive salary to be negotiated with the successful candidate (the pay-scale is reflective of the applicants teaching experience and in accordance with the RGS EBA).

The Rockhampton Grammar School was founded in 1881 and is an independent co-educational day and boarding school private school, educating and caring for students from Prep to Year 12, as well as the Early Learning Years. The School is the largest independent boarding school in Queensland and the second largest co-educational boarding school in Australia. It is a leading school in regional Queensland and one of the foremost schools in regional Australia. 

We employ motivated people who want to work together to produce excellent outcomes for our staff and students. Our staff are recognised as being central to achieving our mission. The School values co-curricular involvement and provide a wide variety of opportunities for staff in this regard.

At The Rockhampton Grammar School, we are proud to be a leading provider of Agricultural Education in Queensland. With our own demonstration farm and access to a commercial cattle herd at Belmont Station, we deliver a Certificate III in Agriculture as part of a larger paddock-to-plate food education programme.

The Rockhampton Grammar School is proud to partner with CQUniversity to provide students with a seamless pathway from the Certificate III in Agriculture to CQUs Bachelor of Agriculture. Eligible students will be allowed to apply directly to CQU upon completion of the Certificate III in Agriculture.

This is a stand-out opportunity to work within this fantastic department. To learn more about our Agriculture department, please visit - Agriculture | The Rockhampton Grammar School (www.rgs.qld.edu.au) 

GENERAL

Responsible for:

• Leading, guiding and supervising operations, in collaboration with teaching staff (HoD);
• Planting, watering and care of crops and market gardens etc. including regular physical maintenance and the use of appropriate insecticides, herbicides and fertilisers where necessary;
• The care (and feeding) of animals, cleaning cages and pens etc. including weekends, public holidays etc., as negotiated;
• Setting up facilities and support for onsite and local activities;
• Maintaining infrastructure and keep them in a tidy and clean condition;
• Regularly inspecting infrastructure and grounds and report any damage to the Head of Department and Facilities Department;
• Consulting with the Facilities Department regarding maintenance matters requiring additional resources outside of farm resources;
• Purchasing and/or collecting necessary materials and equipment (non-capital) to perform maintenance function adequately and within budget with approval from Head of Department;
• Keeping the property secure against trespass and vandalism;
• Keeping roadways and access paths clear of obstructions and in good order;
• Operating machinery and equipment within safe & legal limits;
• Ensuring all appropriate risk assessments and Workplace Health & Safety requirements are attended to in terms of farm equipment, infrastructure and resources;
• Other relevant agricultural duties as directed by Head of Department.

TECHNICAL

Responsible for:

• Animal husbandry, crop and soil improvement and enhancement activities;
• Processing, selling and delivering produce, product and livestock as required.

FARMHOUSE

Responsible for:

• Ensuring School residence and gardens are kept to a reasonable standard;
• Liaising with the Facilities Department on any maintenance matters in regard to the School house.

ASSISTING TEACHER ACTIVITES

Responsible for:

• Organising the distribution and collection of class sets of tools, equipment and materials for practical work;
• Assisting teachers during practical agricultural class activities;
• Providing general assistance with teaching material for agricultural classes;
• Assisting with duties on campus and at other sites as required e.g. Belmont, Showteam.

STOCK

Responsible for:

• Ensuring animals are in healthy condition, including stock for Showing;
• Controlling and maintaining feed and water for the animals;
• Controlling and maintaining security for any supplements or drugs;
• Administering treatments and supplements;
• Disposing of sharps, biohazards, carcass and body tissue appropriately;
• Arranging Veterinary inspections and appointments in consultation with Head of Department.

STORES MANAGEMENT

Responsible for:

• Collecting and/or receiving deliveries of agricultural materials, unpacking, checking invoices and store appropriately in compliance with legislative and policy requirements;
• Collecting and/or receiving petrol, LP gas, insecticides, herbicides, fertilisers, chemical and associated supplies and prepare requisites;
• Keeping secure poisons and flammable liquids as per legislative requirements;
• Maintaining and ordering feedstuffs.

MAINTENANCE

Responsible for:

• Repairing infrastructure and equipment;
• Maintaining storerooms, machinery sheds and field laboratories in a functional, safe and orderly manner;
• Maintaining plant rooms, glasshouses, hydroponic systems, aquaponic systems and aquariums;
• Completing routine maintenance as required.

CLEANING

Responsible for:

• Removal and disposal at regular intervals of animal waste and associated materials;
• Removal and/or disposal of rubbish as required;
• Cleaning and sanitisation of toilet facilities, eating areas and facilities.

SHOW TEAM

Responsible for:

• Assisting Teacher in Charge – Showteam in the delivery of the show team co-curricular programme by attending training sessions, workshops and shows;
• Assisting staff in the care and welfare of students;
• Organising livestock for transport;
• Driving transport for livestock as required;
• Attending to the welfare and husbandry of livestock during and after hours as required;
• Preparing weigh bills, Vendor declarations and other documents associated with livestock management;
• Other duties as required by Head of Department or Teacher in Charge – Showteam.

ADMINISTRATION

Responsible for:

• Maintaining electronic and hard copy stock records;
• Maintaining heard health records;
• Preparing weigh bills, Vendor declarations and other documents associated with livestock management;
• Preparing and maintain Animal Welfare registration, approvals and assist with audits;
• Processing invoices for authorisation;
• Monitoring expenses and budget in relation to farm operations.

The School takes child protection seriously, and as a staff member or volunteer of The Rockhampton Grammar School, you are required to meet the behaviour standards outlined in our Practice and Behaviour Guidelines. You will receive a copy of these guidelines as part of the induction process. 

Therefore, as a part of your duties and responsibilities, you are also required to: 

• Provide a welcoming and safe environment for children and young people;
• Promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people to whom we provide services;
• Ensure that your interactions with children and young people are positive and safe;
• Provide adequate care and supervision of children and young people in your charge;
• Act as a positive role model for children and young people;
• Report any suspicions, concerns, allegations or disclosures of alleged abuse to management;
• Maintain valid “working with children” documentation;
• Undergo periodic “national criminal history record” checks;
• Report to management any criminal charges or convictions you receive during the course of your employment that may indicate a possible rick to children and young people.

• Experience in mustering and carrying out routine livestock husbandry procedures;
• Knowledge of animal welfare requirements;
• Knowledge of regionally significant animal health issues and experience in implementing animal health control programmes in livestock;
• Experience in operating two-wheel motorbikes under variable environmental conditions;
• Experience in operating tractors;
• Skills in constructing and maintaining rural fencing;
• Knowledge of work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice;
• Knowledge of environmentally sustainable work practices;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

• Certificate III in Agriculture or Rural Operations (or related industry relevant qualification)
• Current First Aid and CPR Accreditation
• Qualified in the Units of competency being delivered, or equivalent;
• Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control (ACDC) accreditation;
• Working with Children Check (Blue Card);
• Police Check;
• Safeguarding Children Online Certificate;
• Valid Open Driver’s Licence.

The successful applicant will be subject to a “Working with Children Check and Criminal Records Check” where applicable. The School undertakes several screening processes to ensure the appropriate protection of children and young people in its care. This includes reference checks, identity checks qualification check and professional registration checks.

1. Read the Notice to all Candidates – Staff Safer Recruitment Policy and Recruitment and Selection Policy on the RGS website (http://www.rgs.qld.edu.au/employment)
2. Complete an Application for Employment Form (Non-Teaching) – found on RGS website (http://www.rgs.qld.edu.au/employment)
3. Submit your completed Application for Employment Form with your comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, detailed cover letter and two work related referees to *********@rgs.qld.edu.au – applications close 4:00pm Friday 22nd March 2024.
4. Enquiries can be directed to Dani Donnelly (HR & Compliance Officer) at (07) 4936 0***.

*Only successful applicants will be contacted

NOTE: The Rockhampton Grammar School reserves the right to review applications as they are received, and if required close applications prior to the original date listed.

The Rockhampton Grammar School reserves the right to amend this Position Description at its discretion in accordance with any legislative and/or operational requirements.