This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2025
This role has subsidised on-site housing available to the successful applicant should they require accommodation to take up the position.
The West Australian College of Agriculture (WACOA) - Harvey is co-educational for students in Years 10, 11 and 12. As a specialist Agriculture and related trades training school, students come from across Western Australia with most boarding on site. Students apply to attend the College for the real-life learning environment and with a genuine interest in our programs and what these can do for their future job prospects. As a result, our students choose to be at the College and want to learn.
The College is located in Wokalup, 8kms south of the Harvey town centre, on a 900ha farm run on a semi commercial basis. The farm runs several sections which provide students with real life working experiences in horticulture (parks and gardens, vegetables, citrus and vines), beef, sheep, dairy, intensive animals, farm workshop and general farm maintenance. The farm provides a learning environment for students to develop skills and understanding suited to a wide range of agricultural contexts.
Harvey is a 1.5-hour drive south from Perth, a 20-minute drive to the coast, and a 40-minute drive to the city of Bunbury. The area is well supported with a range of sporting and recreation opportunities, schooling options, shopping and medical services. It is a great place to live.
To learn more about our College and what we offer, we encourage you to visit our website at www.harveyag.wa.edu.au
The Role
With the assistance of the farm leadership team, the Farm Manager oversees the 920 Ha College farm which includes a range of animal and plant enterprises of semi-commercial scale operated as close to industry standard as possible. Enterprises are typical of the local area and include beef, dairy, sheep and horticulture (citrus, grapes, vegetables, amenities, hydroponics). In addition, smaller enterprises operate in pigs, poultry and meat processing.
The Farm Manager is not expected to possess a working knowledge of all enterprises at the College but will draw upon the expertise of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, other industry contacts and staff to ensure the agricultural learning program and commercial outcomes are optimised.
The successful applicant will be an innovative leader with current farming knowledge and experience relevant to the College farm who is passionate about training in an agricultural context. To meet the requirements of this role and lead the farm team, you will have excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and delegate, plus well developed staff management skills.
In conjunction with the Principal, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Assistant Farm Managers and Agricultural Training Officers, the Farm Manager develops, implements, and reviews farm policies and plans. With support from the Manager Corporate Services, the Farm Manager oversees substantial financial resources including budget preparation and maintains accurate records of production data.
The Farm Manager manages human resources, including induction and performance management of staff whilst monitoring and managing staff leave entitlements to ensure accrued leave is cleared within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with relevant awards, agreements and Departmental policy.
The Farm Manager shares an on-call role with the Assistant Farm Manager to be contactable to deal with issues that arise outside of normal operational hours. This can be up to every second week but currently is one week in three. An on-call allowance is paid for this requirement.
Want to know more?
Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Stephen Watt, Principal on (08) 9782 2100 or Stephen.Watt@education.wa.edu.au
Equity and Diversity
We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.
Eligibility
To work with us, you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
- obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
- consent to a National Criminal History Check with the Department's Screening Unit.
Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:
Step 1: Select Apply for Job
Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents
Your application should include:
- A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- A statement up to five (5) pages addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
- Demonstrated significant experience and competency in the management of a large or multifaceted agricultural enterprise/farm. (Relevant to the requirements of the college)
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of AQTF requirements of a Registered Training Organisation and the ability to deliver and assess effective training programs in agriculture and related areas.
- Demonstrated experience in financial accountability including budget preparation, monitoring and reporting.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare, implement and manage business plans and to provide comprehensive reports.
- Demonstrated well developed written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to provide leadership, establish and maintain effective working relationships within a team environment.
- Demonstrated leadership ability including supervising and developing staff and in adhering to occupational safety and health requirements in an agricultural setting.
It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.
Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.
For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.
Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS961710
Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 30 May 2025
