Superintendent, Southwest Virginia AREC

The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) and Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station (VAES) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is seeking a Superintendent for the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SWAREC). The Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SWAREC), located near Glade Spring, Virginia, supports Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission through applied research and Extension programs serving livestock and forage producers across Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth. The Center focuses on beef cattle, sheep, and forage systems, with strong emphasis on practical, field-based solutions developed in partnership with faculty across multiple Virginia Tech units. The Southwest AREC is the key site for hair sheep research at Virginia Tech. It is home to the Southwest Virginia Forage-Based Ram Test, being the first program offered in the U.S. evaluating rams through a forage-based performance test designed specifically to quantify post-weaning growth and parasite resistance for the sheep industry.

SWAREC spans 210 acres of land and includes livestock and research facilities that support on-farm and field-scale studies. The Center is staffed to support daily operations and collaborative research, serving as a key resource for regionally relevant agricultural innovation and producer outreach.

For more information about the SWAREC, visit the website,
https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/southwest-virginia.html

Job Duties:
The Superintendent is the administrative head of the Southwest AREC. The primary responsibility of the Superintendent is to provide leadership and support for excellence in integrated Research and Extension programs critical to profitability and sustainability of beef, sheep, forages, forests and related agricultural commodities surrounding Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth. The Superintendent will be responsible for all aspects of Center operations including providing leadership for conducting Research and Extension programs as well as being actively involved in the planning and day to day conduct of Research and Extension projects.

Specific responsibilities include: preparation and management of budgets/funds
(Foundation, private industry, federal and state) utilizing appropriate VT platforms and record maintenance; Facilities management and coordination; Oversight and leading daily Center operations; Management, evaluation, recruitment and supervision of Full and Part-Time staff; Oversight of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and International Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) trainings and responsibilities of staff; Liaison with CALS and VAES administration and faculty; Organizing and participating in Field Days and Stakeholder meetings; Promotion of programs with local leaders and government agencies. The position is responsible for public relations and visibility of all Center programs. The Superintendent will work closely with faculty from campus, local and regional County Extension Agents, other AREC’s, other university collaborators, and industry leaders and stakeholders to develop strategic plans and execute protocols for Research and Extension programs at the Center, schedule and discuss work priorities with the staff on a regular basis, and physically assist with projects, management of herds, facilities, and grounds maintenance. May carry and use a firearm as part of daily responsibilities for wildlife control.

Master's degree animal science, agronomy, or a closely related discipline | Agricultural research experience | Evidence of strong professional leadership, communication, interpersonal and administrative skills | Farm business management experience; experience in animal production, reproduction, forage utilization and management, including operation of farm equipment and livestock management. | Physically able and willing to perform manual labor and lifting up to 100 lbs | Administrative experience with personnel and fiscal management | Strong commitment to applied research, extension programming, and long term sustainability of agriculture endeavors at the Southwest AREC| Must have or obtain within 6 months of hire date a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License Category 10 (Demonstration and Research Pest Control). Skilled in computer software programs (Microsoft, others) for management and communications | Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (oral, written) with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds within the university, industry, and public sectors.

Prior experience in developing and implementing strategic plans | Experience in obtaining or cooperating on extramural funding support from commodity and industry groups, governmental agencies and/or Foundations. | Capacity for implementing technology applications (precision ag; SmartFarm related technologies) appropriate for advancing applied research and Extension programming. | Familiarity working with Extension, academia, and/or a farm-based research facility.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

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

40 hours per week

June 15, 2026; open until filled

All applicants will need to upload a vision statement, CV, references and a statement describing your understanding of the land grant mission and how you would support it in this position.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.