Research Specialist or Senior Research Specialist in Agriculture, Poultry Research Farm

About the Role

The University of Illinois is seeking a qualified individual to manage the daily operations at the Poultry Research Farm in Urbana, IL, and to coordinate research, teaching, and outreach activities at the site. This position directs unit staff, including full-time assistant research specialists and undergraduate students, and interacts closely with faculty, staff, students, administrators, other research unit supervisors, veterinarians, and compliance personnel.

There are two levels for this position:

• Research Specialist in Agriculture: Serve as unit manager at the Poultry Research Laboratory (Farm), managing operations, coordinating research and teaching, and upholding regulatory compliance.
• Senior Research Specialist in Agriculture: Serve as unit manager and mentor, providing advanced tracking and decision-making based on animal production metrics, assisting in research protocol implementation, managing student interns, and supporting departmental outreach activities.

Responsibilities

Operation and Maintenance

• Lead operations at the Poultry Research Farm, including animal care, inventory management, manure management, facility maintenance, and equipment maintenance.
• Ensure proper diet preparation and feeding amounts throughout the unit.
• Work with veterinary professionals to establish and enforce a flock health plan, providing proper treatment and care to animals.
• Maintain a proper inventory of animals and provide this information to business and animal care professionals.
• Oversee the application of manure to university-owned farm ground, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Submit and track work orders to the university facilities group and coordinate with outside contractors for facility maintenance.
• Supervise maintenance of facilities to ensure competence and integrity of research efforts.
• Ensure all equipment is in safe and proper working condition, arranging repairs as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate procurement of commodities and resources necessary for optimal operations.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of academic and non-academic staff working in the facility.
• Establish and enforce written "Standard Operating Procedures."

Research, Teaching, and Outreach Leadership and Support

• Coordinate facility use and availability for educational needs of faculty, graduate students, and others.
• Coordinate teaching laboratory sections at the unit.
• Oversee the procurement of animals and production of needed products for educational needs.
• Establish and reinforce consistent practices to produce high-quality research results.
• Provide ongoing training of research personnel in poultry production practices, including animal handling, proper treatment techniques, illness/injury detection, and euthanasia.
• Lead tours of the facility for internal and external groups.

Regulatory and Financial Oversight

• Maintain fiscal responsibility of the Poultry Farm accounts, monitoring transactions for accuracy.
• Input P-card transactions and upload proper documentation.
• Hire and supervise staff to maintain operations and optimize staff costs.
• Promote and maintain a work environment with the highest standards of worker safety.
• Attend departmental operational, safety, and development meetings.
• Establish and maintain professional and safe standards for facility appearance.
• Provide training on and reinforcement of safe working standards, including lock-out/tag-out, use of PPE, and electrical and chemical safety.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with university, state, and federal agencies.
• Establish written research targets, develop "Standard Operating Procedures," and enforce consistent research methodology.

Additional Duties for Senior Research Specialist in Agriculture

• Conduct cost-benefit analyses to identify areas where expenses can be reduced or efficiency can be improved.
• Implement cost-saving measures without compromising research quality or compliance.
• Maintain records in accordance with departmental standards.
• Develop and execute long-term financial and operational strategies.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Research Specialist:
  • B.S. degree in Animal Sciences or a related field.
  • Two (2) years of hands-on experience at a poultry production facility.
  • Computer experience in record keeping and inventory management.
  • Supervisory experience.
• Senior Research Specialist:
  • B.S. degree in Animal Sciences or a related field.
  • More than six (6+) years of hands-on experience at a poultry production facility.
  • Computer experience in record keeping and inventory management.
  • More than four (4+) years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research Specialist:
  • Six (6) years of hands-on experience at a poultry production facility.
  • Experience in working in a research poultry production unit.
  • Experience in managing employees, including conflict resolution, scheduling, and training.
  • Experience with facility maintenance and overseeing projects.
  • Understanding of research design and data collection standards.
  • Familiarity with layer hens and breeding flocks.
• Senior Research Specialist:
  • M.S. degree in Animal Sciences or a related field.
  • More than eight (8+) years of hands-on experience at a poultry production facility.
  • Experience in working in a research poultry production unit.
  • Experience in management of employees, including conflict resolution, scheduling, and training.
  • Experience with facility maintenance and overseeing projects.
  • Familiarity with layer hens and breeding flocks.
  • Understanding of research design and data collection standards.

Skills

• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to address multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to work compatibly with other employees and staff.
• Strong communication skills with faculty, administrators, inspectors, veterinarians, students, staff, and visitors.
• Proficiency in humane euthanasia of poultry.

Pay

The budgeted salary range for the Research Specialist position is $60,000 to $70,000, and for the Senior Research Specialist position, it is $70,000 to $85,000.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

Schedule

This is a full-time (100%, 12-month) Academic Professional appointment.