Agricultural Assistant – Ontario Swine Research Centre/Arkell Feel Mill

at  University of Guelph

QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for the role of Agricultural Assistant, you must be an adaptable and dependable agricultural expert with experience in swine herd care and operating a research feed mill, and whose profile includes:
· A two-year associate diploma in Agriculture and one to two (1-2) years of current working experience encompassing a full range of responsibilities with maintaining a closed swine herd and operating a small research feed mill, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Good communication and positive interpersonal skills, and the ability to be adaptable, dependable and a quick learner.
· Demonstrated ability to function in a mature manner with other staff in a team setting, be safety conscious, computer literate and attentive to detail.
· A valid Class G driver’s license minimum is required.
· Experience with one or more other species would be an asset.
· Normal work week is 40 hours, individual shifts are 8 hours, and work on weekends and holidays is required.
The University of Guelph (www.uoguelph.ca) is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive comprehensive institutions, with a record of outstanding scholarship in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical and engineering sciences, agriculture and veterinary sciences. This is your chance to join us in our endeavour to improve life.
To view a detailed posting for the role of Agricultural Assistant, please go to our website at https://careers.uoguelph.ca/.

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, FOSTERING A CULTURE OF INCLUSION IS AN INSTITUTIONAL IMPERATIVE. THE UNIVERSITY INVITES AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM ALL QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING FROM GROUPS THAT ARE TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN EMPLOYMENT, WHO MAY CONTRIBUTE TO FURTHER DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR INSTITUTION.

Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Guelph, O

· Husbandry duties include feeding, sow management, boar management, breeding, piglet and weaner management, grower and finisher management.
· Feed Mill duties include feed mill management for mixing research rations for the entire livestock facilities as well as preparation of custom diets for various research projects across a variety of livestock species.
· Other core duties include data collection and other activities in support of research projects, and cleaning, upkeep and maintenance of facilities and swine and feed mill operational equipment.
· Activities specific to working with swine in a closed-herd research environment require current knowledge in biosecurity (shower in and out facility); health observation specific to swine; natural breeding; artificial insemination including semen collection; farrowing litters; cross fostering (maternal bonding) piglets to other sows; litter processing (ear notching, needle injections, teeth clipping, tail docking); restraining, euthanizing; assisting in composting; loading; weighing; shuffling/labeling pigs; loading and transporting off station; processing; vaccinating by injection/oral; following animal utilization protocols; recording data; assisting researchers; laundry; power washing; basic repairs to penning, feeders, equipment, flooring and buildings; basic plumbing; ventilation control adjustment/setting curves; rodent control; manure handling and tractor operation.
· Working at the research feed mill requires current knowledge for manufacturing feed rations for animals and poultry, and knowledge of feed mixers, elevators, baggers with sewing tools, safe stacking, animal and poultry feed ingredients, supplements, accurate feed weighing, individualized rations, removal of spoilage, confined space training, dust control, and rodent control.
· Incumbents must be prepared to work as required in weather extremes, with exposure to odours, noise, dust, gases, and chemicals in accordance with all Health and Safety precautions and procedures; participating in all Health & Safety activities; and other duties as assigned.
· Other general duties such as: monitoring operations to ensure safety and animal care standards are consistently achieved; contributing to efficient work routines and a clean and orderly workplace; assisting in training of seasonal and temporary staff; and assisting on occasion in conducting tours.