Herder I

MSU - Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

MSU - Michigan State University is seeking a temporary Animal Care and Livestock Assistant to manage and care for an assigned herd of livestock. The role includes feeding, monitoring health, assisting with breeding and other husbandry activities, and ensuring safe handling and data collection.

The position also involves facility cleaning, record-keeping, and operation of farm equipment in a livestock research and teaching environment. Work hours are 6:30am-4pm and weekends.

Qualifications

• Course work in livestock care and disease recognition.
• Four-year degree in Animal Science, or Agricultural related field.
• Preference for 2+ combined years of study.

Responsibilities

• Feed, water, monitor, and care for assigned livestock herds.
• Observe animal health and report signs of illness or injury.
• Assist with breeding, farrowing/hatching, and other animal husbandry activities.
• Administer treatments and assist with euthanasia as directed.
• Weigh, measure, and prepare animals for research or instructional use.
• Clean and maintain barns, pens, sheds, and animal housing areas.
• Assist with manure management and disposal of deceased animals.
• Repair and maintain fences, gates, and related livestock facilities.
• Maintain a safe, sanitary, and orderly work environment.
• Mix and distribute feed and supplements.
• Haul feed, bedding, and other supplies.
• Operate tractors, trucks, and other agricultural equipment as assigned.
• Assist with maintenance and repair of farm equipment.
• Maintain feeding, breeding, health, and production records.
• Record animal weights, measurements, treatments, and related data.
• Assist with data collection for farm, research, and teaching activities.

Job description

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary position.

To manage and care for an assigned herd of livestock.

Unit Position Summary

35% Animal Care and Livestock Management

• Feed, water, monitor, and care for assigned livestock herds.
• Observe animal health and report signs of illness or injury.
• Assist with breeding, farrowing/hatching, and other animal husbandry activities.
• Administer treatments and assist with euthanasia as directed.
• Weigh, measure, and prepare animals for research or instructional use.

25% Facility Cleaning and Maintenance

• Clean and maintain barns, pens, sheds, and animal housing areas.
• Assist with manure management and disposal of deceased animals.
• Repair and maintain fences, gates, and related livestock facilities.
• Maintain a safe, sanitary, and orderly work environment.

15% Feed, Equipment, and Farm Operations

• Mix and distribute feed and supplements.
• Haul feed, bedding, and other supplies.
• Operate tractors, trucks, and other agricultural equipment as assigned.
• Assist with maintenance and repair of farm equipment.

10% Record keeping and Data Collection

• Maintain feeding, breeding, health, and production records.
• Record animal weights, measurements, treatments, and related data.
• Assist with data collection for farm, research, and teaching activities.

Desired Qualifications

• Course work in livestock care and disease recognition.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in swine reproduction, gestation, parturition, and lactation including proficiency in day 1 baby pig care and processing.
• Knowledge acquired from coursework from secondary school, technical, vocational, trade school and/or college in the field of animal science. Preference for 2+ combined years of study. Four-year degree in Animal Science, or Agricultural related field.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry.
• Experience operating and maintaining farm machinery.
• Experience with condition scoring and real-time ultrasound.
• Proficiency in day 1 baby pig care, AI, PCAI, heat detection, boar and rooster collection and semen extension and preparation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume

Cover Letter

Work Hours

6:30am-4pm and weekends

Summary of Physical Demands

Ability to perform physically demanding agricultural work, including prolonged standing and walking, frequent bending and lifting, operation of farm equipment, and handling livestock. Requires the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, work in confined livestock facilities, climb ladders or stairs, and work safely in environments with dust, noise, odors, and varying weather conditions.

Work is performed in livestock barns and agricultural settings with exposure to animals, animal waste, dust, feed particles, noise, odors, extreme temperatures, humidity, wet or slippery surfaces, and outdoor weather conditions. Appropriate personal protective equipment may be required.