Sheep and Guardian Dog Supervisor (Clay Center, NE)

About the role

The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) is a 34,000-acre facility located near Clay Center, NE. The work performed at USMARC supports research that is focused on solving high priority problems for the U.S. cattle, sheep, and swine industries. As the Sheep and Guardian Dog Supervisor, you will:

• Assist with sheep husbandry, including feeding, health monitoring, and maintaining a clean environment to promote flock health.
• Retrain and acclimate adult guard dogs, monitor behavior, and provide ongoing training to ensure effective protection of the flock.
• Bond and socialize puppies with the sheep flock, supporting their development and integration into protective roles.
• Provide routine veterinary care for both sheep and dogs, including vaccinations and treatment for health issues.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on sheep and dog health and behavior, ensuring accuracy and providing insights to researchers and management.

Responsibilities

The work performed at USMARC supports research that is focused on solving high priority problems for the U.S. cattle, sheep, and swine industries. As the Sheep and Guardian Dog Supervisor, you will:

• Assist with sheep husbandry, including feeding, health monitoring, and maintaining a clean environment to promote flock health.
• Retrain and acclimate adult guard dogs, monitor behavior, and provide ongoing training to ensure effective protection of the flock.
• Bond and socialize puppies with the sheep flock, supporting their development and integration into protective roles.
• Provide routine veterinary care for both sheep and dogs, including vaccinations and treatment for health issues.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on sheep and dog health and behavior, ensuring accuracy and providing insights to researchers and management.

Requirements

The minimum required qualifications for this position include:

• A high school diploma or equivalency plus four years’ experience in livestock care and management, with a focus on sheep.
• An associate degree in animal science, agriculture, or related field plus two years of experience in livestock care and management, with a focus on sheep.
• Additional relevant education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience with livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), including training, behavior management, and care, as well as all aspects of sheep husbandry (e.g., feeding, lambing, health monitoring, and nutrition).
• Proficient in animal behavior observation and data collection, including tracking sheep and dog health, feeding patterns, and behavior.
• A strong attention to detail in maintaining accurate records.
• The ability to operate and maintain livestock equipment and facilities.
• The ability to lift 50 pounds and perform manual labor as required.
• A valid driver's license and meeting University driver eligibility requirements.

Qualifications

No preferred qualifications listed.

Benefits

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination.

Skills

Skills required for this position include:

• Experience with livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), including training, behavior, management, and care.
• Experience with sheep husbandry, including feeding, health monitoring, and maintaining a clean environment.
• Ability to operate and maintain livestock equipment and facilities.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform manual labor as required.
• Valid driver's license and meeting University driver eligibility requirements.

Pay

The posted salary is $20.50/hr minimum.

Schedule

Irregular hours and work in inclement weather are required. Due to the size of the facility, ability to travel between pastures and facilities is required.