Agricultural Assistant - Ontario Dairy Research Centre

University of Guelph • Guelph/Eramosa, ON

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position, reporting to the Research Facility Forepersons, is accountable for all aspects of herd husbandry, attending to the daily comfort, care, health, and production needs of dairy cattle. The role encompasses the full range of activities required in a commercial dairy operation, including in-depth knowledge of milking and sanitation procedures, operation and maintenance of milking equipment, specific care for different stages of dairy cattle, calving techniques, calf care, data entry using dairy management software, disease identification, drug handling, record keeping, and feed management. The position requires working in all areas of responsibility at the Dairy facility as assigned, with a normal work week of 40 hours, individual rotating shifts of 11.5 hours on a two-shift system, and working scheduled weekends and holidays. Flexibility is expected to cover workloads during peak periods, weekends, vacation schedules, or emergency staff shortages. The role requires physical strength and stamina, and the ability to work in all weather and typical barn environments.

Requirements

• Two year college program, Diploma in agriculture preferred.
• One and half (1.5 years) of current working experience encompassing the full range of responsibilities encountered in a modern, commercial dairy operation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Adaptable, dependable, a quick learner, and highly organized.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative to learn, understand and complete all elements of the Livestock Agricultural Assistant role, with ability to work well independently and with other staff in a team setting.
• Must be safety conscious, computer literate and attentive to detail.
• A valid Class G driver’s license or ability to obtain is required.

Nice To Haves

• First Aid and CPR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and delivering feed rations, and monitoring feed and water intake.
• Cleaning animal and traffic areas, including management of manure.
• Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness in barns, labs, offices, and shared facilities and working in accordance with all Health and Safety precautions and procedures.
• Following procedures for disease control and identifying and treating health concerns according to standard operating procedures, research protocols and livestock medicine protocols.
• Providing quality research data collection, sample collection, breeding, testing, and health recordkeeping.
• Assisting researchers and veterinarians in animal handling and general research project support, as well as assisting in preparation and feeding of research feeds.
• Following research procedures and animal utilization protocols.
• Operating and maintaining dairy animal related equipment, such as: production-related equipment; facility support equipment; computerized weighing equipment; tractors, skid steers, feed carts, data rangers, and small wheel loaders; milking equipment (tie-stall, rotary and robotic); robotic calf feeders; automated manure removal equipment; ventilation and misc. research related equipment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree