Research Assistant

Job Title

Research Assistant - Beef Cattle Herdsman

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Overton

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Overton, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

Research Assistant - (beef cattle herdsman) responsible for performing skilled, administrative, and managerial support in beef cattle research. Plans and directs certain phases in a research project.

Responsibilities:

• General cattle duties in all facets of cow/calf operation to include calving, identifying and treatment of sick cattle, feeding, heat detection, hauling, weighing, which requires operating an Agency vehicle to perform duties.

• Handle cattle in a low stress manner.

• Pasture management

• Heifer and bull development

• Managing stocker cattle

• Assists in the design, planning, and coordinating of experiments in support of various research projects.

• Keeps detailed cattle records for calving, breeding, weights, culling, etc.

• Fence repair and construction

• Keep cattle facilities clean and in good repair

• Selects and applies standard techniques of routine research and keeps detailed records of data.

• Assists undergraduate and/or graduate students and other laboratory, technical or field staff involved in research.

• Assists with purchasing, reports, invoices, and cataloging records.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• BS degree in relevant field.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 

• Computer knowledge

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills. 

• Must be a self-starter and able to work independently with little supervision.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. ​

• Experience in haying operations.

• Must be able to operate tractors and equipment such as hay equipment, fertilizer buggy, trip feeder, planter, sprayer, pasture mower, etc.

• Must be able to pen cattle. 

• Must be able to drive tractor and operate equipment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with reproductive technologies (estrous synchronization, AI, ultrasonography and animal health is preferred).

Other Requirements:

• Physical labor required. 

• Must be able to lift and carry heavy objects of at least 60 pounds.

What You Need to Know

Salary: $45,000.00

Applicant Instructions: Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas  

• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.