The Dairy Operations Graduate Assistant (DOGA) is a graduate assistantship position limited to select highly dependable employees who have demonstrated superior leadership skills and have successfully gone through the Berry Dairy's work program as an undergraduate farm laborer. Responsibilities include: full understanding and competency of each area of the dairy operation (milking/milk quality, calf systems/calf care, feeding/farm equipment operation, repro/ai, facility sanitation/maintenance, and genetics). The DOGA helps plan and execute projects; resolves significant problems and conflicts requiring analysis of multiple components. The DOGA demonstrates excellent communication and organization skills and coordinates with the Dairy Operations Manager (DOM) on accomplishing upper-level tasks. The DOGA leads undergraduate student workers and supervises shifts by directing their activities to accomplish assigned tasks. The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, working throughout the Berry Dairy's premises, assisting the DOM and other dairy personnel in its day-to-day operations.

Graduate assistants receive an hourly wage in addition to tuition remission for Berry's MBA program. The candidate should share our commitment to student engagement both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as our desire to promote opportunities for students from underrepresented groups and to foster a culture of belonging. Berry is committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff; we welcome applications from all groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for this position.

Requirements:

A bachelor's degree is required, ideally in a related field. If applicants have a degree in another field, sufficient professional experience with marketing, communications, and graphic design would also be considered. Experience with social media marketing, leading teams, and working with college students is preferred, but not required. All interested parties can apply, but please note that applicants must be accepted into Berry's MBA program before a formal job offer may be extended/accepted.

• Must have a valid driver's license and a current tetanus vaccination.
• Must be an active graduate student in Berry's MBA program.
• Must have performed effectively as an undergraduate dairy farm laborer for at least three full years.
• Must have performed effectively as an undergraduate dairy farm laborer for at least two summers.
• Must have a full understanding of all aspects of the Berry Dairy's facility.
• Must be able to effectively communicate, train, and lead undergraduate student workers from different capacities.
• Must provide training and supervision to undergraduate student workers, as well as delegate tasks/responsibilities effectively to foster employee development.
• Must assist the DOM with developing and managing dairy budget to optimize costs, as well as implementing cost-saving measures to improve profitability.
• Must assist the DOM in the upper-level responsibilities of maintaining Berry's Jersey herd and the Berry Dairy's student work program.
• Must maintain systemized records, as well as digitize records for efficient analysis and use.
• Must assist the DOM with developing and creating SOPs and other work-related documents/protocols.
• Must enjoy being around livestock.
• Must be capable of assisting/handling on-farm emergencies in a calm, stress-free manner.
• Must be able to work well with others, as well as conduct chores/tasks independently.
• Must be self-motivated, task-oriented, observant, and organized.
• Must have solid critical thinking skills.
• Must be proficient with Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Must be able to track/analyze overall farm performance and identify areas of improvement.
• Must assist the DOM in working with regulatory compliance groups, such as IACUC, FDA, USDA, and EPA.
• Must assist the DOM in staying up to date with industry trends and executing best practices.
• Must be able to maintain an open line of communication with the DOM regarding work needs.
• Must be able to work consistently in meeting deadlines and performing day-to-day duties without constant instruction.
• Must be able to work a set number of holiday days per the DOM throughout the academic year.

Additional Information:

ABOUT BERRY COLLEGE

Berry is a selective independent college of 2,200 students located adjacent to Rome, GA, midway between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN. Berry's educational approach deliberately unites challenging academic programs with practical work experience in a residential campus community that encourages faith and emphasizes caring for others' needs over self. Our mission and values are grounded in the ethic that our founder instilled more than a century ago:

"We educate the head, heart, and hands - to inspire leaders of integrity who cultivate thriving communities. Combining academic exploration with meaningful work responsibilities in a residential setting, our approach emphasizes firsthand experiences and mentoring. We invest in the personal growth and professional preparation of talented students from varied backgrounds, with an enduring commitment to help those hindered by financial need. Guided by Christian principles, we value the dignity of individuals, the search for truth tempered with grace, and the well-being of our neighbors."

Nationally recognized for the quality of its learning and quality of life, Berry offers first-rate undergraduate degree programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, and human sciences, as well as undergraduate and master 's-level opportunities in business, physician assistant studies, and teacher education. The College's stunning 27,000-acre campus affords opportunities that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Berry's ongoing commitment is to provide exceptional educational experiences to talented students from a wide range of social, racial, and economic backgrounds. To apply, click here.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Berry College is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff. An Equal Opportunity Institution, Berry complies with all applicable laws and provisions prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies. Berry respects the essential dignity of all individuals and accordingly hires and promotes employees without regard to matters of personal identity such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Berry College is committed to ensuring facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to everyone, including those seeking employment at Berry College. Inquiries about interviews or workplace accommodations are welcomed and can be directed to employment@berry.edu or (706) 233-4062.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their interest in this position, a resume outlining their work experience, and the names and contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin in April and will continue until the position is filled. The GA position will begin in August 2026.