Technician, Smart Farm

About Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Founded in 1913, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has been offering high quality hands‑on education for over a century. Through our core programming including continuing education, online and blended programming, we provide accessible educational opportunities within Alberta and beyond. We are passionate about the Agriculture industry. Through our applied research and integrated learning, we are proud to be Canada’s Smart Agriculture College, specializing in agriculture, agrifood, horticulture, land and environmental stewardship. We work closely with industry to advance and adapt our programming to ensure our graduates have the skills to succeed.

The Opportunity -Technician, Smart Farm (full-time, temporary)

This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement Job Classification: Technician 1 (40)

The Olds College Smart Farm (OCSF) integrates opportunities for student learning, applied research and industry partners into a commercial scale sheep, beef cow/calf, beef feedlot, cash-crop and grazing operation. OCSF works directly with Olds College Centre of Innovation (OCCI) to conduct applied research projects, validate technologies and practices to improve productivity and sustainability of food production with a focus on utilizing data for better management decisions. OCSF also directly supports the teaching and learning programs of students across all three (3) academic schools including Continuing Education.

The Smart Farm Technician will contribute success to the Olds College ecosystem, positioning Olds College as a leader in Smart Agriculture by applying progressive tools and techniques in day-to-day operations and applied research. This individual will work alongside research and academic teams in day-to-day operations of the Smart Farm. Together with the Smart Farm Management Team, the Technician will support the implementation, optimization, and operation of field scale technologies, data, and decision support tools in day-to-day operations of the Smart Farm. This role will have ongoing involvement with additional internal teams ensuring successful planning, execution, and results reporting.

Key Job Functions:

Animal Care

• Complete feeding and bedding requirements daily.
• Monitor animal health and perform treatments as required.
• Preparation and movement of cattle and sheep for student labs.
• Maintain production and treatment records on electronic databases.
• Check and repair existing fences and new fence construction.
• Work with Farm Supervisor to develop feeding and processing procedures.
• Monitor pasture conditions and rotate livestock as needed.

Crops

• Work with the Assistant Manager and vendors to schedule delivery and pick-up of cropping inputs.
• Work with the Assistant Manager and contractors to coordinate harvesting and storage of grains and forages.

Equipment

• Operate farm equipment in the field as well as around farmyard (tractor, seeder, sprayer, combine, bale shredder, feed truck, skid steer, loader, stock trailer, etc).
• Drive and operate vehicles requiring Class 3 operator’s license and/or Q endorsement (air brakes).
• Operate farm equipment that features precision agriculture technology, such as GPS centering services
• Perform general facility and equipment maintenance.

Other Key Responsibilities

• The Technician will ensure the protocols, data collection, data analysis, reporting, and overall operational execution is aligned with leading industry practices, project charters and Smart Farm Operational requirements.
• Demonstrate a strong approach and support with customer service. This will require thinking creatively on methods or approaches to coordinate operational activities with other stakeholders.
• Ability to balance and prioritize in a fast paced workplace working on multiple initiatives or tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Provide support to the Smart Farm Management team, external contractors, and the larger Smart Ag ecosystem in all business operations.
• Support, but at times lead, the planning, management, implementation, optimization and operation of field level and livestock-based technologies or projects.
• Identify opportunities for improvement or future applied research.
• Acts ethically, openly, honestly, and respectfully to build and maintain an environment of trust, safety, and well-being.
• Actively promotes equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout the campus and our communities and serves as a real ally to all.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety:

The employee is responsible for being awa