Canadian Angus Research Technician

If you are hardworking, dedicated, like to take initiative, and do not let your job descriptions limit your accomplishments then the Canadian Angus Association has an exciting job opportunity for you. We are looking for a Research Technician who will be responsible for supporting current research initiatives. In addition, you must have the ability to train and educate key business partners and to organize and deliver information seminars.

Position Description Summary:

The Research Technician’s role is to help deliver the objectives of the Canadian Angus Association’s research and development programs nationally. While the incumbent may have a primary research focus, (s)he is expected to market all of the Canadian Angus Association programs to CAA members, commercial producers, and industry partners.

Reporting directly to the Canadian Angus Association’s Director of Science & Technology, the role includes but is not limited to the following duties and responsibilities:

• Data capture and basic statistical analysis towards integrated producer genetic selection and marketing tools
• Carry out research activities in various beef production environments including cow-calf operations, feedlots and abattoirs
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Director of Science & Technology to conduct research with integrity, adhering strictly to standard operating procedures (SOPs), budgets and timelines
• Establish and continually manage project expectations with guidance and training from the Director of Science & Technology
• Prepare and maintain project status reports and schedules, track milestones/deliverables, critical paths and dependencies
• Respond to all producer and stakeholder inquiries regarding Canadian Angus Association programs and research activities
• Assist in completing project activity and financial reporting
• Give compelling and professional presentations in person, via video conference, and over the phone
• Attend industry and networking events and trade shows
• Confidently collect subjective trait information on farms and ranches
• Confidently assess and record heart score and liver score at the abattoir
• Assess and record information about carcass quality traits at the abattoir
• Record collected information into registry database
• Support producers learning to use herd management software over the phone and in person
• Conduct basic statistical analysis on data collected

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must be detailed oriented
• Comfortable processing cattle using quiet handling methods
• Must be flexible and adaptable to varied tasks and surroundings
• Education in Animal Sciences with some experience in research and development and/or project management
• Agriculture and cattle background preferred
• Good interpersonal skills and communication required
• Strong understanding of technology will be required
• Strong understanding of the Canadian beef industry, including the commercial and feedlot sectors
• Must be self-motivated, excel at time management and have a strong work ethic
• Valid driver’s license

Travel:

Employee will be based out of the Canadian Angus Association office, Angus Central, in Rocky View County, Alberta, and must be able to travel to farms, abattoirs and industry events approximately 30–50% of the time, with some overnight, evening and weekend work possible.

The majority of the work performed in this role will be over the phone and via video conference, along with scheduled face-to-face client visits as needed.

Benefits/Compensation:

• Competitive salary
• Group benefits and RRSP plan matching.
• Laptop, cell phone and all other technology required for the job are provided
• Travel and incidental reimbursements

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, the physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, use a laptop/computer or walk. The employee may occasionally lift items as heavy as 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities may include the employee’s ability to see near and far distances.

Canadian Angus Association is based at Angus Central, the Canadian Angus headquarters located north of Calgary in Rocky View County, Alberta. Regular hours of work are Monday-Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, and the office is closed for lunch from 11:30-12:30. The Canadian Angus Research Technician is not a remote position.

To Apply:

If you meet the above qualifications and are excited to join our team, then please send your resume to: Alan Yuen, Director of Administration at  quoting “Research Technician” in the subject line. This posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. We thank all applicants in advance, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants must be Canadian residents.

Canadian Angus Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Minority/Veteran/Disabled. Canadian Angus Association is proudly committed to ensuring equitable hiring practices and believes in giving each and every applicant an equal opportunity to succeed on his or her own merit. Canadian Angus Association strives to ensure that all recruiting processes are non-discriminatory and barrier-free and will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. If you are selected to participate in our recruitment process, please inform either the Director of Administration or the CEO of the nature of the accommodation(s) that you may require. Information received relating to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

The Canadian Angus Association is Canada’s largest purebred beef breed organization. The Association represents 3,000 members across Canada for the purposes of registering and recording the pedigrees of purebred Angus cattle in the closed Herd Book and promoting the breed across Canada.