35% - Essential - Assist and support forage-livestock research projects: Support and assist with soil and forage sample collection, processing, preparation, and laboratory analysis. Activities will include, but are not limited to harvest forage samples, taking soil samples, taking additional forage, animal performance and soil-related measurements, weighing and grinding samples and sample preparation for analysis, data entry, and collecting additional samples (e.g., manure) and data as required. Support and assist the work conducted by the supervisor, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the research station and on-farm research sites.
35% - Essential - Manage the laboratory: This includes managing the general laboratory schedule and organization, training and supporting students with conducting laboratory analyses, writing reports and summarizing data. Manages the laboratory storage and supply inventory, as well as the overall activities and scheduling for the EREC forages laboratory. Responsible for tracking inventory and inputting information on Bioraft. Communicated issues and maintenance needs for the forages laboratory and interacts with maintenance technicians to ensure proper equipment function. Oversees and communicates storage, maintenance, and product needs. Acquires proper training to utilize basic and specific forage laboratory and field research equipment and provides leadership to their utilization and adheres to the maintenance schedules and provide leadership on proper use, maintenance, transportation, storage, and guarantees the proper functioning of equipment under the forage-livestock program. Transports equipment to off-site research locations when necessary to conduct research projects. Additional duties may be assigned.
15% - Essential - Land preparation and assigned duties to plant, cultivate and harvest crops utilized as feed for livestock. Build, repair and provide maintenance for permanent or temporary electric fencing utilized on research areas for research projects. Performs routine health checks and monitors status, supports care, and handles livestock under research projects under the forage-livestock systems program. Acquires the proper training and adheres to the established IACUC guidelines and requirements for the use of livestock in research projects to guarantee adequate work development and data collection. Thus, acquires training for pesticide application for herbicide application and any other required training as assigned by supervisor. Support and assist the work conducted by the supervisor, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the research station and on-farm research sites.
10% - Essential - Facility and equipment routine cleanness and maintenance: repairs, clean shared spaces routinely and provide regular basic maintenance and proper organization to equipment (e.g., nitrogen analyzer, harvester, etc), facilities (e.g., field lab, clean lab). Organizes and maintains storage of forage and soil samples properly, and shares spaces for sample analysis.
Oversees and conducts routine checks of experimental area infrastructure (e.g., fencing) as needed. Additional duties may be assigned.
5% - Essential - Support for data collection and educational activities: supports and collects data, data entry and processing responsibilities, as directed by project leader (s). Assist with the organization of workshops and educational activities. Provides proper communication with supervisor and others and works with supervisor, postdocs, graduate students and others who may be developing research under the forage-livestock systems program. Additional duties may be assigned.
