Non-Exempt Temporary or Casual

Position Overview
This temporary position provides essential manual labor and technical support for cattle research and forage production at the North Central Research and Outreach Center. This role balances routine animal husbandry with precise data collection to support the university's mission of agricultural innovation.

Major Areas of Responsibilities:

Animal Health & Husbandry
1. Maternity Care: Monitor and care for animals through pre-pregnancy, gestation, and calving; ensure timely colostrum
delivery and assist newborns with nursing.
2. Clinical Support: Perform tagging, weighing, castration, vaccinations, and breeding protocols.
3. Monitoring: Conduct daily herd health inspections; communicate concerns to the VCPR veterinarian or supervisor, and administer prescribed treatments for injury or illness.
4. Record Keeping: Maintain accurate logs of health events, daily feeding/water/fence sheets, breeding, and calf data.
5. Movement: Assist with rotational grazing transitions and moving postpartum pairs.
6. Safety: Move animals of various age groups through handling facilities using low-stress, safe, and efficient handling techniques.

Feed Management & Nutrition
1. Preparation: Weigh, bag, mix, and grind feed components according to research or management needs.
2. Delivery: Manage daily feeding via hand-feeding, tractor/skidsteer, or feed mixer/wagon.
3. Hydration: Monitor and maintain clean, functional water systems and tanks.
4. Inventory: Assist in the acquisition, placement, and winter storage of forage and feed.

Research Support & Outreach
1. Data Collection: Assist scientists with a variety of data collection tasks that may include measuring plant growth and collecting soil, water, and manure samples.
2. Field Work: Support plot maintenance, layout, planting, and harvesting.
3. Public Engagement: Provide logistical support for NCROC outreach and educational events.

Facility & Equipment Maintenance
1. Sanitation: Clean, organize, and disinfect barns, pens, labs, and offices to maintain research and management standards.
2. Upkeep: Wash and maintain tractors and vehicles; perform minor repairs and routine oiling/cleaning of tools and equipment, lawn upkeep

Minimum Qualifications
1. Must be 16 years of age or older.
2. Possession of a valid driver's license.
3. Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, and precipitation).

Preferred Qualifications
1. Experience: Three (3) years of experience in large animal care (or a combination of relevant coursework and hands-on experience).
2. Technical Skills: Proficiency in operating farm tractors and machinery; experience with large animal handling, vaccinations (SQ/IM/IV), and castration processes.
3. Research Aptitude: Experience in sample preparation (soil, forage, grain) and a demonstrated patience for the precision required in research settings.
4. Soft Skills: A collaborative mindset, reliability, and a strong commitment to animal welfare and safety.
5. Physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs frequently and 100+ lbs occasionally.

Pay Range: $15.25 - $20.00; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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