Field Representative

Provide regular personal contact and service to all Western Area farmer-owners within the Central Valley territories. Maintain and grow the Western Area farmer-owner milk supply. Ensure dairies produce milk meeting Western Area standards while maintaining a continuous IMS-rated supply of milk. Assist farmer-owners to improve milk quality and administer Western Area policies/programs, as well as national dairy industry programs at the producer level. Actively promote the Western Area in the community.

• Provide all farmer-owners in territory with the services, information, and assistance to achieve high quality milk. Inform farmer-owners on the latest production practices that farmer-owners may utilize to increase their production per cow or expand their dairy operations.
• Monitor farmer-owners' milk quality/component test results and provide prompt technical advice and service to those having difficulty earning quality premiums or are failing to meet Grade A or local market standards.
• Work with all federal and state regulatory agencies to maintain farmer-owner milk on a Grade A and IMS- approved status.
• Regularly work with milk haulers and DFA transportation dispatchers and others in the territory to develop good relationships, openly discuss problems, and develop ways to improve service.
• Inform Field Supervisor and other appropriate staff of significant developments in area that affect relationships with producers, haulers, customers, competitors, regulatory agencies, or the public. Provide managers and administrative staff with complete, accurate, timely information - both written and verbal - required to effectively administer Western Area programs and policies.
• Communicate with farmer-owners and their workers the importance of the national dairy industry program, Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program and DFA's Gold Standard Program.
• Assist in the awareness, completion and progress of FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) and Workforce Development (WFD) Modules. In addition to becoming certified to complete the ES and WFD evaluations for the Area.
• Provide outreach to farmer-owners on available resources to develop and implement a dairy biosecurity program to obtain farm operation security.
• Stay informed of developments in the dairy industry and be versed on the full benefits of being a DFA/Western Area farmer-owner. Identify opportunities that bring value to farmer-owners through DFA Farm Services, coordinating farm visits and/or introductions for the various service providers.
• Stay abreast of federal and state agriculture/dairy legislative issues. Contact legislators when necessary to present the Western Area's position on an issue. Educate farmer-owners on these issues and encourage them to contact their legislators to support the Western Area position.
• Maintain documentation and quality reports related to customers to help ensure good quality milk is being delivered to all plants. Document contacts in the field on the DFA Salesforce platform.
• Promptly respond to all producer requests and calls including those received outside normal working hours.

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, agri-business, dairy science or related field
• 2 - 5 years of directly related job experience
• Prior dairy farm experience is a significant plus
• Milk production and milk quality knowledge

• Possesses basic skills and knowledge gained through specialized training and experience in areas such as milking system evaluation, cleaning and sanitizing evaluation, mastitis prevention, milk quality troubleshooting and membership solicitation.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Bilingual preferred but not required
• Good problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people in business and social settings.
• Strong customer service attitude/focus and a sincere desire to help dairy producers succeed.
• Basic to intermediate skill with computers and MS Office software applications. (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

* Valid driver's license with no significant restrictions or violations

* Must obtain any certifications/licenses (e.g. certified industry inspector, CA Sampler and Weigher required by regulatory agencies as a condition of continued employment)

* Must obtain certification as a FARM Program evaluator for the Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship (ES) and Workforce Development (WFD) Modules.

• Work on dairy farm operations in all seasons.
• Exposed to heat, cold, dust, noise, agricultural chemicals, machinery, and livestock
• Substantial periods of driving required (20 - 30% of workday)
• Occasional evening and weekend work required
• Lift 30 pounds