Beef Cattle Care Technician II (North Platte, NE)

University Of Nebraska - Lincoln; North Platte (NE); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte, NE seeks a Beef Cattle Care Technician II to support the WCREEC beef program. You will assist with daily cattle care, weighing, processing, data collection, and record keeping on a research facility.

Outdoor work in variable weather and hours is required. The role is designated for Ag Research Technician II within UNL and offers participation in animal care and facility maintenance with room for growth.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus four years of agricultural experience with livestock or farm equipment.
• Associate degree in agriculture or related field plus two years of experience.
• General knowledge of animal health and ability to work around large animals.
• Ability to administer medications to production animals as instructed.
• Operate and maintain machinery such as feed truck, tractor, skid steer, and livestock handling equipment.
• Good communication skills and basic computer skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in adverse weather.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet university driver eligibility requirements.
• Beef Quality Assurance certification and UNL IACUC certification required upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform research support duties for the WCREEC beef program, including daily feeding, weighing, processing of cattle.
• Collect data, perform special feeding procedures, and maintain facility equipment and fencing.
• Operate feed mill to mix and prepare supplements and rations per protocol.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Outdoor work in inclement weather and irregular hours.

Skills

Livestock care

Data collection

Equipment operation

Record keeping

Communication skills

Driving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in agriculture

Tools

Feed mill equipment

Tractor

Skid steer

Livestock trailers

Job description

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Employment Website

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Information

Position Information

Working Title

Department

Department West Central Research, Extension and Education Center-0944

Requisition Number

Requisition Number S_240894

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 09/04/2024

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date)

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 10/04/2024

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Description of Work

The West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte, NE serves as the site for field-based research and extension activities that deliver research-based education and information to citizens throughout the state. We consider ourselves the front door to the University for those we serve in west central Nebraska.

As a Beef Cattle Care Technician II, you will:

• Perform research support duties for the WCREEC beef research program such as daily feeding of cattle, weighing and processing of cattle, transporting, calving, breeding, treating, record keeping, and all other aspects of maintaining a cow herd.
• Collect data, perform special feeding procedures, operate, maintain, and repair facility farm/herd equipment and fencing.
• Operate feed mill to mix and prepare supplements and rations for cattle on research experiments to protocol requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Outdoor work in inclement weather and irregular hours are required. Within the UNL system, this position is categorized as an Ag Research Technician II. Within the industry, this position may be referred to as a herdsman, feedlot hand, or cowboy.

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we are committed to advancing knowledge, enriching lives, and contributing to the global community.

We invest in our employees through comprehensive benefits including:

• Vacation, sick, and holiday pay
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plans with university match
• Tuition remission for full-time employees and dependents

We are looking for talented individuals like you to join our team and make a difference!

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse populations we serve. The university fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential. As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status and/or political affiliation. See: http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination .

Minimum Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus four years of paid or unpaid agricultural experience in providing care for livestock and/or operation and maintenance of farm and feeding equipment, OR
• Associate degree in agriculture or related field plus two years of paid or unpaid agricultural experience. Additional relevant education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• General knowledge of animal health and/or basic animal husbandry and ability to work around large animals is required.
• Ability to administer medication/drugs to production animals as instructed.
• Ability to operate and maintain machinery such as feed truck, tractor, skid steer, livestock trailers, chutes, scales for weighing cattle.
• Good communication skills and basic computer skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in adverse weather conditions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet University driver eligibility requirements.
• Selected candidate will need to obtain Beef Quality Assurance certification and UNL’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee certification upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but not required:

• Artificial insemination training helpful.
• Previous experience in a research facility preferred.

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required Yes

Physical Required

Physical Required Yes

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances. No

Criminal History Background Check Required

Criminal History Background Check Required Yes

Posted Salary Salary commensurate with education and experience

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact

Please call Human Resources at 402-472-3101

Job Category (old)

Job Category (old) Office/Service

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Alternate Work Schedule (if other than 8-5)

Work Location (City, State)

Work Location (City, State) North Platte, NE

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding? No

If Temporary, indicate end date

Planned Hire Date:

Appointment End Date

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please describe your experience with the care and management of cattle, including both paid and unpaid experience (e.g., work on family operations). Make sure to include the number of years of experience.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please describe your knowledge of animal health and/or basic animal husbandry.

  (Open Ended Question)