Cattle Research Intern (12 months)

Explore the agricultural industry, research procedures, and field work to enhance cattle welfare and productivity

Our Team and what we will accomplish together

TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods is a great place to work! You can see it in our team members. The diversity of the team and their unique contributions set us apart from the competition. Our success is based as much on our future-friendly team as on the innovative technology solutions we offer.

Our team members include people like you – enthusiastic, innovative, passionate and energetic. We believe that you'll find our high-performance culture personally fulfilling, professionally challenging and financially rewarding.

TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods is leveraging our world-leading technology and innovation to tackle one of the most pressing social challenges of our time – achieving more efficient food production while lowering the impact on the environment. We believe that by delivering data insights and digital solutions that empower and connect producers to consumers we can improve the quality, safety and sustainability of our food and consumer goods.

What you'll do

As a successful candidate, you'll have the opportunity to develop expertise in field operations, livestock management, and data analysis. This role offers significant potential for skill acquisition, with hands-on experience in cutting-edge agricultural practices. You'll gain valuable knowledge in research methodologies and field procedures, contributing to innovative projects within the industry. Our company prides itself on a vibrant corporate culture that fosters professional growth and collaboration. Join us to make a meaningful impact in agriculture while advancing your career in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

This position is a Paid Internship opportunity to be based on-site, in Okotoks, Alberta.

• Collaborate with Research Team Management, company professionals (e.g., veterinarians and animal scientists), and other company and Research Team personnel
• Support the progress of research studies, with a focus on field implementation and communication with client-site personnel
• Work to optimize field data collection and management to support high quality data
• Work on research field projects conducted in areas such as animal health, feeds and nutrition, performance enhancement, and marketing strategies
• Help to troubleshoot and maintain specific feeding systems (such as Vytelle or GreenFeed) at local client sites
• Training on specific computer applications (e.g., Excel and Access) provided
• Field work (up to 100% of role) conducted at local commercial client sites (typically within 2 hours of the Okotoks office although further travel may be required) throughout the year, with field overtime and scheduled weekend work expected and compensated
• Field work may be heavily weighted for the autumn/winter depending on the research priorities, and outdoor work is expected
• Field work will entail duties such as chute-side data quality control, cattle handling, and other field support (e.g., orts collection and sample collection [e.g., blood, fecal, nasal secretion, water, soil, feed, etc.])
• Field work includes feed delivery to study cattle by feed truck and will require rotating weekend work throughout the year based on research pen cattle occupancy and current department staffing
• Work on feedlot data projects as assigned
• Performance of other research-related duties as assigned

What you bring

• Demonstrate effective field skills (through post-secondary degrees or relevant cattle industry experience)
• High attention to detail
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Moderate computer skills, and proficiency using Google Workspace and Microsoft Office applications
• Conduct oneself professionally within the business environment and support a culture of cooperation, inclusiveness, tolerance, positivity, flexibility, and engagement
• Valid Class 5 Alberta driver’s license required

Great to have

• Ability to drive a feed truck
• Relevant cattle industry and research knowledge and experience
• Previous experience with data

At TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods, we pledge our commitment to actively promote diversity, equity, inclusion, reconciliation and accessibility. We celebrate and value your unique perspective and life experiences, and we invite you to join us in our journey of growth and learning. Together, we aspire to foster a global community where all individuals are respected, heard, and can authentically bring their whole selves to work.
A significant and sustained effort will be made to support candidates from equity-deserving groups and with lived experience of marginalization and oppression (including Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, LGBTQIA2S+ and persons with disabilities). We offer accommodation for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process.