Agricultural Specialist II - Beef

Position Title:

Agricultural Specialist II - Beef

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Job Description:

The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University is seeking an Agricultural Specialist II to support the daily operations of the Beef Nutrition and Beef Teaching Farms, nationally recognized facilities dedicated to advancing beef cattle research, teaching, and production. This position plays a critical role in supporting research and instructional programs by overseeing cattle operations, ensuring exceptional animal care, maintaining research integrity, and collaborating with faculty, researchers, veterinarians, and students.

The successful candidate will combine strong livestock management experience with technical expertise in beef cattle production, nutrition, animal health, research operations, and agricultural equipment. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative beef nutrition research while mentoring students and supporting the university's land-grant mission.

What You'll Do

• Oversee the daily operations of the Beef Nutrition Farm research feedlot, ensuring excellent animal care, operational efficiency, and compliance with research protocols.

• Coordinate, train, and supervise graduate and undergraduate student employees while promoting a safe work environment.

• Support multiple research projects by implementing study protocols, collecting and maintaining accurate research data, and collaborating with faculty, researchers, and veterinarians.

• Formulate, mix, and deliver experimental diets with precision while monitoring feed intake and adjusting rations to meet research objectives.

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair agricultural equipment, feed processing systems, and farm facilities to support research and daily operations.

• Monitor cattle health, administer treatments as appropriate, coordinate herd health activities, and maintain biosecurity and regulatory compliance, including BQA, IACUC, and OSHA standards.

• Assist with farm budgeting, livestock and feed inventories, procurement, crop planning, and continuous improvement of standard operating procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated hands-on experience managing daily cattle operations in a commercial or research beef production setting.

• Experience evaluating cattle condition, feed intake, and performance, and formulating, mixing, and delivering cattle diets to optimize animal health, welfare, and productivity.

• Experience with cow/calf production, including calving, reproductive management, and herd health practices.

• Experience operating, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing agricultural equipment such as tractors, skid steers, feed mixers, and other livestock production machinery.

• Working knowledge of cattle health management, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), biosecurity practices, IACUC requirements, and livestock safety standards.

• Experience training or leading employees or student workers in livestock production or agricultural operations.

Why Join Iowa State University?

At Iowa State University, you'll help shape the future of the beef industry by supporting research that improves cattle production and educating the next generation of animal scientists and livestock professionals. Working alongside nationally recognized faculty, researchers, and students, you'll contribute to innovative research while gaining experience in a diverse beef operation that combines research, teaching, and hands-on cattle management.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS806

Original Posting Date:

July 16, 2026

Posting Close Date:

July 23, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19599

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

 

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.