This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/12182121 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Department of Animal Sciences

Research Specialist/Senior Research Specialist in Agriculture - Meats Science Laboratory

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.

Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story.

The Department of Animal Sciences operates our animal farms, laboratories, Feed Technology Center, meat and egg sales room, and other facilities to give students working experience in the field and to advance basic discovery and applied production research. Our farms operate on 1,300 acres, housing beef and dairy cattle, poultry, sheep, swine, and horses, and turning grain and forage into feed and bedding for our animals. And our facilities don\'t stop at the boundary of our Urbana campus; we maintain and study herds at research and Extension centers throughout Illinois. The Meat Science Laboratory and Meat and Egg Sales are an integral part of our farm operations. This unit supports the needs of meat science research, which focuses on fresh meat quality and further processing. It also provides training and hands-on experience for students planning on careers in the meat industry. The unit supports some of the most visible parts of our department to the community and beyond through Meat and Egg Sales, BBQ and Grilling courses and outreach, and meats judging activities within the state and nationwide.

SHORT DESCRIPTION SUMMARIZING POSITION:

Full-time 100%, professional position will manage operations, work closely with faculty conducting hands-on research, coordinating teaching, and upholding regulatory compliance at the Meat Science Lab in Urbana, IL.

Specialist DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Operation and Maintenance

1. Coordinate slaughter and production schedule for the Meat Science Laboratory including

a. Arrange and interface with USDA inspection service to ensure coverage and maintain compliance

b. Procurement of animals, ingredients, supplies, and resources needed

c. Interaction with other farm units to obtain animals and plan for future needs

2. Lead operations including the slaughter of animals, fabrication of carcasses, production, and further processed products

a. Setup the facility for operations days

b. Develop and implement SSOPs for operation

c. Determine and maintain needed inventory of products for wholesale and retail

d. Oversee the sales room operations including pricing, customer service, hours of operation, staffing, and advertisement.

3. Provide day-to-day supervision of personnel of academic and non-academic staff working in the facility.

Additional duties For Senior Research Specialist:

a. Establish written and well-developed \"Standard Operation Procedures\", and enforce them.

b. Establish and maintain professional standards for facility appearance. Supervise maintenance of facilities to ensure competence and integrity of research efforts.

c. Assist with the sale of products.

Specialist DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulatory and Financial Oversight

1. Maintain fiscal responsibility at the facility including management of facility expenses, development of budgets and reports, recovery of teaching and research costs, and maintenance of accounting records for budgetary and compliance purposes.

d. Maintain current and develop new avenues for retail and whole ale of meat products

e. Hire and supervise needed staff to maintain operations and optimize staff costs

2. Promote and maintain a work environment with the highest standards of worker safety

a. Attend departmental operational, safety, and development meetings.

b. Establish and maintain professional and safe standards for facility appearance.

c. Supervise maintenance of facilities to ensure competence and integrity of research efforts.

d. Provide training on and reinforcement of safe working standards including lock-out, tag-out, use of PPE, and electrical and chemical safety

e. Maintain records of safety inspections and accident reports.

Additional duties For Senior Research Specialist:

a. Ensure regulatory compliance with FSIS and other food safety-based regulations

b. Conduct cost-benefit analyses to identify areas where expenses can be reduced or efficiency can be improved.

c. Implement cost-saving measures without compromising the quality of research or compliance.

d. Maintain records in accordance to departmental standards.

e. Develop and