Beef System Technician (Temporary: Ithaca, NE)

University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated Beef System Technician to join their team. In this temporary role, you will be responsible for the daily care of a cow-calf operation, ensuring the health and well-being of the livestock. You'll operate various farm equipment and may even train others in essential skills. This position offers a unique opportunity to work outdoors and contribute to a vital agricultural program. If you're passionate about livestock and eager to make a difference in the agricultural community, this is the perfect role for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience with livestock care and management, including health monitoring and treatment.
• Ability to operate various farm equipment, including trucks and tractors.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for cows and calves, managing forage resources.
• Monitor cow-calf health and provide necessary treatments.

Skills

Livestock Management

Equipment Operation

Cattle Health Monitoring

Intermediate Horsemanship

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalency

Relevant Post-Secondary Education

Tools

Truck and Trailer

Skid Steer

Front-End Loader

Tractor

Job description

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Employment Website

Beef System Technician (Temporary: Ithaca, NE)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Click on “Apply for this Job”. You will then either create an application or edit your current application that is on file.

Position Information

Position Information

Working Title

Working Title Beef System Technician (Temporary: Ithaca, NE)

Department

Department Animal Science-0830

Requisition Number

Requisition Number S_250347

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 05/01/2025

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) 05/14/2025

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Description of Work

The Beef Systems Unit is part of the ruminant nutrition program within the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The unit is a cow-calf operation maintaining a herd of 150-200 head and is located at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center near Wahoo, Ceresco, Ithaca, and Mead, NE. ENREEC is within 30 minutes of both the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas.

As a Beef Systems Technician, you will:

• Provide daily care for cows and calves including managing forage resources.
• Monitor cow-calf health and provide treatment as needed.
• Operate and maintain equipment.

Beef Systems Technicians may be hired at a higher level depending on a candidate’s qualifications. Higher-level positions may also:

• Ride a horse and treat cattle from horseback.
• Train and support other employees in the skills needed to work in the unit.
• Coordinate, advise, and assist graduate students and staff members in research protocols and collecting data.
• Provide expert assistance to other units onsite.
• Work in tandem with the unit manager to oversee the work of graduate students, other staff, and student workers.

All levels require irregular hours and working outdoors in inclement weather. Within the UNL system, this is categorized as a Temporary Office/Service Hourly position.

Temporary employees may be appointed for a period of up to two years. Temporary employees appointed for six months or less are not eligible for benefits. Those appointed for more than six months are eligible for benefits from the beginning of the appointment, provided the position is half-time (.50 FTE ) or greater. Benefits for eligible temporary employees include the following: health, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high performing and collaborative workforce. UNL is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success where every person and every interaction matters. The University is proud to be one of Nebraska’s preferred and largest employers where individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants 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 https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/ .

Minimum Required Qualifications

All levels require

• The ability to operate a variety of equipment associated with a cow/calf operation including truck and trailer, skid steer, front-end loader, and tractor with various attachments.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to meet university driver eligibility criteria.
• High school diploma or equivalency and one year of paid or unpaid experience with livestock animals.
• Any combination of four years of paid or unpaid livestock experience and/or relevant post-secondary education.
• Any combination of five years of paid or unpaid livestock experience and/or relevant post-secondary education.
• Advanced working knowledge of cattle including the ability to confidently recognize sick cattle and administer treatment, load and move cattle, and knowledge of grazing requirements.
• Intermediate horsemanship skills and the ability to treat cattle from horseback if needed.

Preferred Qualifications

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

How to Apply

Click on “Apply for this Job”. You will then either create an application or edit your current application that is on file.

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact

Dawn Vogt, [e-mail]

Job Category (old)

Job Category (old) Office/Service

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time Temporary

Alternate Work Schedule (if other than 8-5)

Work Location (City, State)

Work Location (City, State) Ithaca, 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 livestock animals, 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 detail your knowledge of and/or ability to identify and treat sick cattle in open pastures, cornstalk fields, and feedlot pens.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please describe your level of skill in operating trucks with trailers, skid steers, front-end loaders, and tractors.

  (Open Ended Question)