This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 position for the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center at Oregon State University (OSU).

The Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center (EOARC) comprises two separate and fully functional rangeland livestock research stations – Burns and Union Stations. The Union Station is Oregon State University’s first branch research station (established in 1901). The EOARC’s research and outreach activities focus on beef production, environmentally compatible livestock systems, rangeland ecology and management, ecological restoration, forage crops, and alternative livestock systems in the sagebrush steppe of the Great Basin and inland coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest. EOARC Union is uniquely suited to address long-term sustainability questions concerning domestic livestock grazing and subsequent impacts on wildlife and vegetation diversity in wildland ecosystems. Union Station is comprised of a research complex located on a 600-acre ranch, Hall Ranch (2,000-acre ranch of riparian, grassland, and conifer forest), a 5,500-acre grazing allotment within the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range (USDA Forest Service), and an approximately 225 head cow herd to support grazing research. EOARC faculty collaborate on research and outreach efforts with various stakeholders, including producers, agencies, tribes, and non-governmental organizations.

This position will support work at EOARC Union and will perform a variety of functions, including unit operation, building, ground, and equipment maintenance, and data collection. The incumbent participates and assists with various aspects of cattle grazing research and assists in maintaining all pertinent records. The incumbent will work with permanent and seasonal employees to accomplish the above functions.

• • Maintain and operate hay and forage irrigation systems (wheel lines)
  • Operate swathers, rakes, balers, and bale moving/stacking equipment • Apply pesticides and fertilizers as needed

• Work with Station crew in vaccinating cows and calves, artificially inseminating heifers and cows, and conducting winter feeding
• Assist with winter calving of the station cattle herd including routine night checks, identifying, and assisting with difficult births, processing newborn calves within 24-hours of birth (moving to barns, weighing, tagging, banding, vaccinations, etc.)
• Assist with herd management, gathering, and moving cattle
• Complete all safety and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee training within 30 days of hire and complete additional training updates as required
• Assist with providing supplements to cow herd.
• Repair and maintenance of livestock watering systems

• Identify and treat invasive and noxious weeds at EOARC Union and Hall Ranch facilities
• Mix and apply herbicides (per label instructions)

• Repairs, maintains, and constructs facilities such as fencing, buildings, pens
• Repairs and maintains equipment, such as farm machinery, irrigation and spray equipment, motors, and pumps.
• Grounds and area maintenance activities such as mowing, weed control, snow/litter removal, and more
• Operate tractors, mowers, chainsaws, and other farm machinery
• Equipment and vehicle maintenance and repair
• Constructs special equipment as needed for research projects, such as benches, irrigation systems, or pumps

• Record information associated with research, such as animal weights, feed records, health records, and calving data.
• Collect and summarize hay/forage production records Track irrigation, fertilization, and herbicide application

Working Conditions

• The employee in this position may be required to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 120 pounds
• Possible exposure to noxious odors, loud noises, wet and slippery floors, and machinery. Terrain is farm and rangeland and varies from smooth to quite irregular.
• Overtime, evening and weekend hours may be required. Shift and/or work assignment may be changed based on operational needs. We are a seven-day-a-week operation, so weekends and holiday work may be required
• Working in a confined area with no air conditioning. Temperatures can occasionally reach 100 degrees F during summer months and -30 degrees F during winter; required to work extended work hours due to emergency situations or increased temporary workload; most of the work in this position is performed outdoors. Must work during inclement weather conditions and during natural disasters