Agricultural Assistant

**Temporary, full-time position (February 1, 2025 to August 29, 2025)**

**Guelph, ON**

Reporting to the Technical/Foreperson for the **Ontario Swine Research Centre/Arkell Feed Mill University of** **Guelph**, you will have current working knowledge and advanced skill regarding all aspects of maintaining a closed swine herd and operating a small research feed mill.

**Duties and Responsibilities**
- 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.

**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.

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Guelph, ON