Research Facility Foreperson / Technical Support

Ontario University Athletics; Arkell; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Guelph invites applications for Research Facility Foreperson / Technical Support at the Arkell Poultry and Equine Research Stations. You will lead a frontline team, supervise operations 365 days a year, and manage off-campus infrastructure and vendor contracts.

You will oversee a 12,000-bird poultry facility and a 150-acre equine breeding/training operation, coordinating with veterinarians on flock and herd health, ventilation, nutrition, and transport needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, or related field; MSc in a livestock discipline preferred.
• Must hold or obtain these certifications: Supervisor Health & Safety Awareness Training
• Standard First Aid & CPR
• JHSC Certified Worker status
• Valid Driver’s License
• Livestock Medicine Course certification
• CCAC Animal Care & Species-Specific Training
• Forklift Operator Certification & WHMIS
• Grower Pesticide Licence

Responsibilities

• Strategic operations leadership of two livestock stations with diverse staff.
• Oversee full lifecycle poultry and equine operations, coordinating with veterinarians on health.
• Translate experimental designs into SOPs ensuring EH&S compliance.
• Own off-campus infrastructure, service equipment and vendor contracts.

Job description

Research Facility Foreperson / Technical Support

Location: Arkell, ON, CA, N1H 6H8

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Research Facilities

Requisition ID: 2803

Department: OMAFRA Research Facilities
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from09/01/2026to05/12/2029
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

The Office of Research is seeking a dynamic leader for the dual role of Research Facility Foreperson / Technical Support at the Arkell Poultry and Equine Research Stations. Reporting directly to the Livestock Research Stations Manager, you will provide front-line leadership and daily supervisory oversight for two distinct, active research facilities. Coordinates a diverse agricultural team operating 365 days a year while fully managing all off-campus infrastructure, machinery, and vendor contracts.

For the poultry facility, you are responsible for all aspects of flock management for chickens and turkeys, encompassing layers, broilers, broiler breeders, and the hatchery. Daily oversight includes managing flock health in coordination with the flock veterinarian, handling natural and artificial insemination breeding programs, and overseeing incubation, hatching, and vaccinating schedules. The role also directs poultry nutrition, brooding, growing, finishing, transporting, euthanasia, processing, and composting operations. Monitoring barn ventilation systems, other barn controls and on-call for alarms during and outside of schedule hours.

For the equine facility, your responsibilities cover all aspects of horse management for various horse and pony breeds. This includes supervising herd health programs in coordination with the herd veterinarian. A knowledge of managing natural and artificial insemination breeding could be an asset. You will also direct equine nutrition, growing and conditioning protocols, daily training routines, and all animal transport requirements.

In addition to species-specific care, you will directly supervise the team of Agricultural Assistants and ensure all researcher project oversight and environmental health and safety requirements are met. Your operational duties include managing animal and food production standards, farm biosecurity, maintaining feed and barn supplies, and enforcing safe equipment operation, maintenance, and vehicle transport safety. An attention to detail and comprehensive record keeping for active and past research projects, animal health records and record keeping for food safety programs. Finally, you will manage building infrastructure repairs, maintain and update facility manuals and standard operating procedures, assist with minor capital improvements, and handle hazardous waste management, manure management, housekeeping, and rodent control.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Operations Leadership: Direct a multi-disciplinary team of full-time, contractual, and part-time staff across two separate, active livestock stations.
• Comprehensive Animal Husbandry & Genetics: Oversee full-lifecycle management for a 12,000-bird poultry facility and a 150-acre equine breeding/training operation, coordinating directly with veterinarians on flock and herd health.
• Research Implementation & Data Integrity: Partner with faculty to translate experimental designs into standard operating procedures, ensuring strict compliance with researcher protocols and environmental health and safety standards.
• Property & Equipment Management: Take full ownership of all off-campus infrastructure, managing building repairs, servicing complex agricultural machinery, and negotiating vendor contracts independently.

Requirements

• An Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors) in Agriculture, Animal Science, or a related discipline is required, while a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in a livestock research discipline is preferred.
• Mandatory Professional Certifications (Must be held or obtained upon hire):
  • Supervisor Health & Safety Awareness Training
  • Standard First Aid & CPR
  • Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certified Worker status
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Livestock Medicine Course certification
  • CCAC Animal Care & Species-Specific Training
  • Forklift Operator Certification & WHMIS
  • Grower Pesticide Licence

Experience & Skills

• 7 years of combined relevant agricultural experience.
• 3+ years managing large-scale, commercial poultry or equine facility operations, coupled with 2-3 years as an active animal science research technician.
• Proven background in front-line personnel management, conflict resolution, shift scheduling, and collective bargaining agreement environments.
• Practical competence operating heavy farm tractors, dump wagons, material handling systems, and poultry processing equipment.
• Must be proficient with computer programs, including word processing, spreadsheet development, email, and various agricultural controller systems.

This position requires moderate-to-heavy physical exertion, including frequent lifting up to 60 lbs, within standard agricultural environments exposing the individual to dust, animal odours, and potential zoonotic hazards.

Employee Type: Temporary covering regular incumbent
Position Number: 10447091
Classification: P&M FT- Band 05

The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

At the University of Guelph, fostering aculture 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: 08/26/2026
Closing Date: 09/02/2026