Direct Field Study Intern

Olds College is looking for summer students to join the OCCI team in areas of **Crop Production**, **Livestock Production**, **Environmental Stewardship** and **Smart Ag/Digital Ag** The Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) is the scientifically acclaimed applied research division of Olds College. OCCI works with industry partners, other research organizations, and the College’s Smart Ag Ecosystem to define and execute applied research projects. OCCI’s goal is to accelerate the development and adoption of agricultural technologies and practices to improve productivity and sustainability of food production. OCCI’s current focus is on broadacre, dryland crop production, beef production, and sheep production with a focus on integrating technology and utilizing data for better management decisions.

The DFS intern(s) will provide support for a variety of project activities in crop production, environmental stewardship, livestock production, and smart ag/digital ag. Throughout the employment term, interns may work on a variety of projects. The intern(s) will work closely with the team at OCCI, faculty experts, the Olds College Smart Farm staff, and other internal and external stakeholders. Interns are accountable to the College’s research policies and procedures as well as the code of conduct.

Interns on the **crop production** research team will be engaged primarily in small plot field, greenhouse and laboratory research. Under supervision, work may include planning, field preparation, research study set up, seeding, weeding, watering (if necessary), sampling, data collection (including photos), measurements, data entry, preliminary data analysis and presentation of research findings to research, academic and farming audiences.

Interns on the **livestock** **production** research team will be engaged in applied research activities related to production, animal health and welfare, and environmental sustainability. Specifically, innovative technologies and management practices will be explored to answer important, industry-relevant research questions within beef cattle and sheep production systems.

Interns on the **environmental stewardship** research team will be engaged primarily in water quality monitoring, research and management of agricultural feedlot catch basins and liquid manure storage facilities, industrial stormwater and wastewater ponds, and municipal wastewater ponds.

Interns on the **smart ag/digital ag** research team will be engaged in a variety of activities that may include: autonomous broad acre seeding, spraying, spreading, harvest activities, in field activities such as crop/environmental sensing equipment monitoring and maintenance, crop scouting activities like disease assessment and crop staging, general observational & digital data collection, literature reviews, knowledge transfer and project report writing collaboration.

**PLEASE INCLUDE A COVER LETTER stating which research area you are most interested in**: Crop Production, Livestock Production, Environmental Stewardship or Smart Ag/Digital Ag

**Key Job Functions for all research teams**:

- Assist with the coordination of day to day operations of research activities
- Support, and in some cases lead, project activities such as literature reviews, data collection, data entry, data management, and reporting for laboratory or field-based research trials
- Contribute to communication and outreach activities such as tours, field days, lunch ‘n learn presentations, and AgSmart
- Develop specific research interests as part of professional development
- Provide regular update reports to the Project Leader and other key stakeholders (Academics, Farm Operations)
- Assist with other project activities, as assigned

**Education/Experience/Skills/Knowledge Required**:

- ** Enrollment in a Bachelor of Applied Science Agribusiness degree program at Olds College**:

- Familiarity with agriculture technologies and experience in equipment operation and cropping systems
- Proven capability for collaborative partnership development and teamwork
- Effective communication skills
- Experience with agricultural research and data collection would be considered an asset
- Physically fit, organized and detail-oriented with the ability to work under mínimal supervision in a dynamic environment
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including storing research data appropriately in databases, farm management information systems and/or statistical analysis programs, and/or GIS and extracting relevant reporting and/or analysis.
- Experience with Trimble Farmer Pro software considered an asset
- Project Management experience considered an asset
- Valid Class 5 driver’s license

**Health and Safety**:
The employee is responsible for being aware of health and safety responsibilities and expectations as outlined in college policy, departmental and area procedures, and provincial legislation. The employee will attend training as required