Agricultural Assistant - Ontario Dairy Research Centre

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Ontario is seeking an Agricultural Assistant for the Ontario Dairy Research Centre. The role involves extensive herd husbandry responsibilities, including feed preparation, cleanliness maintenance, and health monitoring of dairy cattle. Candidates should ideally possess a diploma in agriculture and experience in a commercial dairy operation. Strong communication skills and safety awareness are essential. The position is temporary full-time, requiring physical stamina and ability to work in diverse weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Two years college program in agriculture preferred.
• 1.5 years of experience in commercial dairy operations.
• First Aid and CPR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver feed rations and monitor intake.
• Clean animal and traffic areas, manage manure.
• Maintain cleanliness in barns and labs according to safety protocols.
• Follow disease control procedures.
• Provide quality data collection and health recordkeeping.
• Assist researchers and veterinarians in animal handling and projects.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Safety consciousness

Computer literacy

Attention to detail

Education

Diploma in agriculture

Job description

Agricultural Assistant - Ontario Dairy Research Centre

Location: Ariss, CA, N0B 1B0

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Research Facilities

Requisition ID: 1962

Department: OMAFRA Research Facilities
This position is covered by the Collective Agreement with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation District 35 - Technician/Administrative/Research/Agricultural

Temporary full-time from 12/01/2025 to 09/18/2026
Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

Reporting to the Research Facility Forepersons, the incumbent is accountable for all aspects of herd husbandry, attending to the daily comfort, care, health, and production needs of dairy cattle.

This position includes the full range of activities required in a commercial dairy operation. Work with dairy cattle will require: in-depth knowledge of proper milking and sanitation procedures, DFO standards and penalties; operation and maintenance of all milking equipment systems; understanding the specific care, handling and production needs of the breeding heifer, fresh cow, milking and dry cow; understanding proper calving techniques, calf care, ID and registration requirements; data entry using dairy management software; identifying dairy specific disease; knowledge of proper drug handling, withdrawal times, record keeping; proper feed management, storage, feed prep, delivery and nutritional requirements for all ages of dairy cattle.

Duties and 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.

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.
• First Aid and CPR certification preferred.
• A valid Class G driver’s license or ability to obtain is required.

The incumbent is expected to work in all areas of responsibility at the Dairy facility as assigned. Normal work week is 40 hours; individual rotating shifts are 11.5 hours, working on a two-shift system and weekends and holidays as scheduled. The incumbent is also expected to be flexible to cover workloads during peak periods, weekends, vacation schedules or emergency staff shortages. All positions require physical strength and stamina. The incumbent must be prepared to work as required in all weather and typical barn environments.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10447084
Classification: OSSTF/TARA, District 35 Salary:Band 5
OSSTF/TARA Wage Grid

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 12/03/2025
Close Date:12/17/2025