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Position Title:ISU Meat Lab Team Leader

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in animal science, meat science, food science or a related field

Experience overseeing staff or student workers

HACCP certified and experience managing and implementing HACCP food safety systems.

Experience with animal harvest, carcass fabrication, and meat processing

Experience operating and maintaining meat processing equipment including, but not limited to, meat saws, vacuum stuffers, grinders, mixers, bowl cutters, injectors, smokehouses, and packaging machines.

Experience with humane livestock handling

Job Description:

Iowa State University is seeking a Program Specialist III – Meat Lab Team Leader to support the day-to-day operations of the ISU Meat Laboratory, including regulatory compliance and equipment maintenance. This position plays a critical role in supporting teaching, research, Extension, and production activities within a USDA-inspected facility.

The role oversees and guides student employees; assists with undergraduate and graduate instruction, faculty-led research, and fee-for-service activities; and supports meat science Extension programming. The position is highly hands-on, with direct involvement in animal harvest, carcass fabrication, value-added meat processing and packaging, and close collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders in a dynamic, production-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

+ Support day-to-day operations of the ISU Meat Laboratory, including animal harvest, carcass fabrication, value-added meat processing, packaging, labeling, retail sales, and fee-for-service activities.

+ Oversee, train, and coordinate student employees to ensure efficient, safe, and compliant laboratory operations.

+ Operate and oversee specialized meat processing and packaging equipment in support of teaching, research, Extension, and production activities.

+ Provide technical and operational support for undergraduate and graduate teaching, faculty-led research projects, and Extension programming, including workshops, short courses, and outreach events.

+ Develop, implement, and maintain USDA-FSIS regulatory compliance programs, including HACCP, SSOPs, SOPs, humane animal handling, food defense, labeling, and required documentation.

+ Conduct microbiological sampling, complete annual HACCP reviews, and ensure ongoing compliance with food safety and inspection requirements.

+ Manage preventive maintenance programs for meat laboratory equipment, maintain maintenance records, and train students on safe and proper equipment operation.

+ Maintain inventory and assist with procurement of supplies, ingredients, and equipment; communicate maintenance, repair, and replacement needs.

Why Join Us?

The Iowa State University Meat Laboratory is a premier facility dedicated to supporting teaching, research, and Extension activities. The lab includes dedicated areas for slaughter, fabrication, further processing, and packaging, all outfitted with cutting-edge technology. The facility enhances student learning, supports innovative research, and provides valuable services to the meat industry. Iowa State’s Meat Science Program is nationally renowned, and the Meat Laboratory is widely recognized as a leader in the field.

Why This Role is Right for You

If you’re seeking a change of pace from traditional industry roles, this position offers a rewarding alternative—one where you can be hands-on, part of a collaborative and highly respected team, and continue to grow your technical expertise, leadership skills, and professional network. Whether you see this role as a long-term home or a strategic stepping stone, it provides the opportunity to give back, grow forward, and truly make a difference.

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.

The candidate will be hired as a Program Specialist III.

Level Guidelines• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS809

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 Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter 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 • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date: December 22, 2025

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:R18361

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.