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Job Title


Senior Technician - Sheep Trainer


Company : Texas Tech University


Location : Lubbock, TX


Created : 2026-04-23


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

44493BR Extended Job Title: Senior Technician - Sheep Trainer Position Description: Performs highly skilled mechanical and/or analytical duties in the coordination and completion of projects. Work is performed under general guidelines using established procedures and evaluated on results obtained. May supervise skilled and semi-skilled subordinates. Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all employees. Requisition ID: 44493BR Travel Required: Up to 25% Major/Essential Functions: The Senior Technician will support a federally funded research project by providing daily care and behavioral training for animals involved in cognitive and behavioral studies. Responsibilities include animal husbandry, health monitoring, enrichment, and training, as well as data collection, record keeping, and supervision of undergraduate research assistants. The position requires close coordination with the Principal Investigator, Postdoctoral Researchers, and Veterinary staff to ensure high standards of animal welfare and research integrity. This is a fulltime, temporary position funded through a federal grant, initially for one year with the possibility of annual renewal for up to four years contingent upon continued funding. + Daily observation of animals in the research protocol. Report to unit manager or Veterinarians any concerns about animal health. + Daily animal husbandry- Feeding and brushing animals. Provide environmental enrichment to animals. Clean water source. + Train animals to a series of cognitive and behavioral task. + Data collection and Record keeping. + Supervise undergraduate students and create research schedules. + Communicate with PI and Postdoc training outcomes and training progress. + Ensure project deadlines and deliverables are met in time + Daily inspection of animal housing and conduct basic repairs if needed + Able to lift 50lbs, work outdoors under different environmental conditions (hot, cold, and rainy days). + Maintain inventory of animal feed, farm supplies, and research supplies + Order and buy supplies. Grant Funded?: Yes Pay Basis: Hourly Work Location: Lubbock Preferred Qualifications: + Experience in animal training or with farm animals. Department: Animal and Food Sciences Required Attachments: Cover Letter, Professional/Personal References, Resume / CV Job Type: Full Time Shift: Day Required Qualifications: High school or equivalent and five years experience. Additional job related education may substitute for required experience on a year for year basis. Must possess the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance from the Department of Defense. This includes having U.S. citizenship and undergoing a background check and fingerprint clearance process by a separate agency. Does this position work in a research laboratory?: No About the Department and/or College: The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences, along with multiple research centers and institutes. The College houses eight major research centers and institutes: the Center for Agriscience Communications, Davis College Water Center, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Institute for Genomics of Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Texas Cooperative Research Unit, and the Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute. Davis College enrolls more than 2,700 undergraduate students and more than 500 graduate students. The College sustains approximately 110 tenure-track faculty, 40 non-tenure-track faculty, and more than 165 support staff. Faculty across Davis College generated approximately $17.3 million in federal and private funding to support the research, teaching, and outreach and engagement missions. Davis College is currently engaged in The Pursuit of PRIME campaign, which is dedicated to shaping the future of agriculture, natural resources, and managed landscapes. The College prepares the next generation of leaders to address major challenges and build a brighter future through investments in advanced facilities, innovative research, and hands-on education. Rooted in Texas Techu2019s spirit of resilience and excellence, this commitment extends beyond the classroom to strengthen communities and inspire prosperity for generations to come. The Department of Animal and Food Sciences ( ) at Texas Tech University exists to address the challenges of a growing and changing world. We tackle these challenges by empowering students, advancing discoveries, and disseminating knowledge. Our core values (integrity, community, accountability, grit, and excellence) define our culture and those we seek to hire. The department takes pride in its tradition of student success and experiential learning through curriculum taught by faculty who are dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and engagement. Innovative creativity to address regional issues with global implications, while engaging with external community members through citizenship, are also hallmarks of the program. The department is housed in a modern research and teaching facility and is supported by several off-campus units (Equestrian Center, Equine Therapeutic Riding Teaching and Research Center, Grantham Companion Animal Research Facility, and an Agricultural Field Laboratory with canine, sheep/goat, swine, beef cattle, Burnett Center, and feed mill units). There are approximately 30 faculty members in the department, many of whom are leading researchers in their respective fields. Areas of research excellence include meat science and muscle biology, food science and safety, animal nutrition, health and welfare, and companion animal science. The department continues to experience historic student enrollment and now consists of more than 1,450 undergraduate and graduate students. Special Instructions to Applicants: Grant funding requires candidate be a US Citizen and required ability to obtain security clearance. Please include the following documents in your application: u2022 Resume/CV u2022 Cover Letter detailing interest and summary of qualifications u2022 Contact list of at least 3 references Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Edgar Aviles-Rosa, Search Committee Chair at . Safety Information: Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees. Pay Statement: Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. EEO Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran. About the University: Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas u2014 hard work, grit and authenticity u2014 the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family. Job Family: Research Laboratory Job Sub Family: Animal Care Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The attributes required to perform the job that are generally demonstrated through qualifying service, education, or training. + Ability to work in a team environment. + Good oral and written communication skills. + Time management skills. + Ability to work in a high pace and constantly changing environment. + Ability to be coachable and motivated to learn or improve animal training skills. Hourly Pay Range: $17.69 - $22.98 - $28.32