Agricultural Assistant II - Dairy

Iowa State University - College of Design; United States; On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Iowa State University - College of Design is seeking an Agricultural Assistant II to join its teaching, research, and production dairy farm. The role supports daily herd management, animal care, milking operations, and research activities while contributing to the university's mission of advancing dairy science.

Responsibilities include feeding, milking, health monitoring, equipment maintenance, and assisting with student employees and research projects in a hands-on, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and 3 years of related experience are required.
• Candidate should be dependable, safety-minded and able to work in a physically demanding agricultural environment.
• Experience with dairy cattle and farm equipment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily feeding, milking, and care of dairy cattle while following animal welfare and biosecurity practices.
• Monitor animal health and behavior, report concerns, and assist with treatments, calving, and herd health activities.
• Clean, sanitize, and maintain milking equipment, feeding systems, and livestock facilities.
• Safely handle and move cattle using low-stress livestock handling techniques.
• Operate and maintain farm equipment, including tractors, skid steers, loaders, mixers, and trucks.
• Maintain records related to animal health, production, and equipment maintenance.
• Train and assist student employees and work closely with farm staff, faculty, and industry partners.
• Support research, teaching, seasonal farm operations, grounds maintenance, and other related duties.
• Contribute to special projects and other responsibilities based on operational needs and the successful candidate's skills, experience, and interests.

Skills

Animal handling

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Farm equipment operation

Milking equipment handling

Job description

Position Title: Agricultural Assistant II - Dairy

Job Group: Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent and 3 years of related experience

Job Description

The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University is seeking an Agricultural Assistant II to join its teaching, research, and production dairy farm. This position supports daily herd management, animal care, milking operations, and research activities while contributing to the university's mission of advancing dairy science and educating future agricultural professionals. Depending on the successful candidate's skills, experience, and interests, there may be opportunities to assume additional responsibilities and contribute to specialized areas of dairy operations, research, and teaching activities.

What You'll Do

• Perform daily feeding, milking, and care of dairy cattle while following animal welfare and biosecurity practices.
• Monitor animal health and behavior, report concerns, and assist with treatments, calving, and herd health activities.
• Clean, sanitize, and maintain milking equipment, feeding systems, and livestock facilities.
• Safely handle and move cattle using low-stress livestock handling techniques.
• Operate and maintain farm equipment, including tractors, skid steers, loaders, mixers, and trucks.
• Maintain records related to animal health, production, and equipment maintenance.
• Train and assist student employees and work closely with farm staff, faculty, and industry partners.
• Support research, teaching, seasonal farm operations, grounds maintenance, and other related duties.
• Contribute to special projects and other responsibilities based on operational needs and the successful candidate's skills, experience, and interests.

What We're Looking For

• The successful candidate will be dependable, safety-minded, and comfortable working in a physically demanding agricultural environment.
• Candidates should be able to work around large animals, operate farm equipment safely, work both independently and as part of a team, and adapt to changing farm priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Milking experience
• Experience caring for and supporting dairy cattle.
• General knowledge of farm labor, equipment, and machinery.

Why Join Us?

At Iowa State University, you'll contribute to a nationally recognized teaching and research dairy operation while helping educate future agricultural professionals and supporting innovative research that advances the dairy industry. This position offers hands-on work in a collaborative environment where animal care, learning, and operational excellence are valued every day.

Iowa State University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, and professional development opportunities.

Appointment and Compensation

• Appointment Type: Regular
• Number of Months Employed: 12
• Per Year: 12
• Month Work Period Time Type: Full time
• Pay Grade: PS805
• Original Posting Date: October 7, 2026
• Posting Close Date: October 15, 2026
• Job Requisition Number: R20063

Eligibility

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Location

Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work. All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone]. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone]. General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.