Agricultural Specialist II - Dairy Farm

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 Night Crew Team Lead 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 Night Crew Team Lead will oversee the daily operations of the evening crew, 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 night crew 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 daytime crew 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. Night Crew hours are Monday - Friday from 5 pm to 2 am, with a 1-hr dinner break. The position has rotating weekend coverage. 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. 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 Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu 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:

March 27, 2026

Posting Close Date:

April 5, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R18877 Agricultural Specialist II - Dairy Farm 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars Ames, IA Full-time Iowa State University 769 reviews

Full-time 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 Night Crew Team Lead 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 Night Crew Team Lead will oversee the daily operations of the evening crew, 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 night crew 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 daytime crew 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. Night Crew hours are Monday - Friday from 5 pm to 2 am, with a 1-hr dinner break. The position has rotating weekend coverage. 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. 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 Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu 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:

March 27, 2026

Posting Close Date:

April 5, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R18877