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Position Title:Agricultural Specialist II - Dairy Farm

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Prior experience with milking procedures and equipment

Experience working with livestock or large animals and familiarity with animal health monitoring and treatment

Familiarity with general agricultural equipment operation and maintenance

Leadership or team lead experience

Job Description:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is seeking an Agricultural Specialist II to serve as a Shift Team Leader at the ISU Dairy Farm. This position plays a key role in supporting the university’s teaching, research, and extension missions by ensuring high-quality animal care, coordinating dairy production activities, and supporting on-farm research.

The Shift Team Leader will oversee the daily operations of the second shift, including tasking of staff and student workers, implementation of research protocols, and proper operation of equipment and facilities. The role requires strong leadership, technical knowledge of cattle production, and the ability to effectively communicate with farm staff, faculty, and researchers.

Responsibilities Include:

+ Oversee second-shift staff and student employees to ensure timely and accurate completion of milking, herd care, sanitation, and daily operations

+ Train team members in dairy production, animal handling, safety procedures, and research protocols

+ Coordinate with first-shift and farm management to maintain consistent animal care and farm operations

+ Monitor animal health, respond to emergencies, and resolve operational issues as they arise

+ Support research projects

+ Collaborate with faculty, veterinarians, and researchers on project design, troubleshooting, and herd management

+ Maintain detailed records of animal health, production data, equipment maintenance, and research results

+ Operate and maintain farm equipment and facilities, including tractors, skid steers, and milking systems

+ Utilize herd management software and Microsoft Office tools for data tracking and reporting

+ Assist with budgeting, inventory, and procurement related to cattle, feed, and supplies

If you enjoy working with cattle and thrive in a hands-on environment that offers something new every day, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of a research and teaching farm. You will have the chance to support student organizations like the Dairy Science and Veterinary Medicine clubs, as well as interact with researchers conducting cutting-edge work in animal science. This job offers meaningful challenges and variety. With a unique blend of production and academic activities, this role provides opportunities to grow, lead, and contribute to the advancement of dairy science at a land-grant university.

Second Shift hours are Monday – Friday from 5 pm to 2 am, with a 1-hr dinner break. The position has a rotating weekend shift.

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.

This position will be open until filled. Full consideration will be given to candidates who apply before July 9th.

Level Guidelines• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS806

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Full consideration will be given to candidates who apply before July 9th. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: July 1, 2025

Posting Close Date:July 17, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R17333

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. 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 (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-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 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. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. 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 [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.