Instructor, Animal Sciences

The University of Missouri-Columbia invites nominations and applications for the position of Instructor at the University of Missouri’s Equine Teaching Facility in the Division of Animal Sciences, an academic unit of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.  We are seeking a qualified candidate to manage the equine operation and assist with the undergraduate teaching mission of the Division of Animal Sciences. This instructor position is a 12-month appointment with 50% facility management responsibilities, 40% undergraduate teaching, and 10% advising responsibilities. The selected candidate will report to the Division of Animal Sciences Director and be expected to collaborate with the faculty supervisor of the equine facility. 

The University of Missouri equine unit includes the Equine Teaching Facility (ETF), Sorenson Equine Division (SED), and Student Boarding Barn (SBB) all located just a few miles from each other and about 7 miles from the main university campus. The ETF is comprised of approximately 50 acres of fenced pasture, a 12-stall barn, 3 turnout paddocks, an indoor demonstration arena, and a breeding lab. The equine unit contracts about 20 client mares each spring for breeding services and intensive foaling management. We partner with the MU Veterinary Health Center clinicians to offer breeding management including the use of shipped semen. The SED currently houses program stallions and is comprised of approximately 15 acres of fenced pasture, a 5-stall barn, and an indoor arena. The SBB is comprised of a 24-stall barn, 6 turnout paddocks, a calf roping chute, and an outdoor arena. The SBB is currently a self-care facility, with boarders responsible for daily care of their own horses but with the University supplying and feeding hay twice daily.

The equine unit houses approximately 20-30 University-owned horses and 4-8 student boarded horses. The University’s Quarter Horse breeding herd includes broodmares, stallions, and various young stock. By using the breeding program as the cornerstone of all courses, students learn to base management decisions on their foundation courses in nutrition, physiology, reproduction, and genetics. Undergraduate students are involved with the equine breeding program each step of the way (conception, foaling, training, and marketing) in coordination with courses taught at the MU Equine Teaching Facility. Most of these students are pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and/or an Equine Science & Management certificate, the latter of which is available to majors and non-majors. Students from all backgrounds are accepted into classes at the MU Equine Teaching Facility, with many having limited or no previous equine experience.

Responsibilities: 

50% - Manage, assist, and coordinate daily care for all horses to ensure that animals are healthy and are following approved SOPs. Assist with medical care for all horses including preventative care, injury and illness prevention, and treatments and regularly coordinate with veterinarians and farriers. Oversee and maintain facilities, pastures and equipment while ensuring that facilities are safe and well maintained. Supervise and train student volunteers and student workers to accomplish various tasks while simultaneously allowing undergraduates to gain hands-on-experience working at the facility. Support undergraduate equine laboratories held at the facility, including preparation of horses and supplies for class sessions. Assistance in organizing events and producing marketing material to support and promote the Division of Animal Sciences and the MU Equine Program to the greater community, such as the MU Online Horse Auction & Fundraiser.

40% - Teach assigned undergraduate equine courses in the Division (~4 courses per year). Course assignment will focus on experiential learning at the MU Equine Teaching Facility. It is likely that one course will be offered over the summer with the remaining courses split over the spring and fall semesters.

10% - Advise students on curricula and course of study related issues (course selections, transfer credits, course substitutions, late add/drop requests, academic probation forms, graduation plans, minor declaration, etc.). Advise incoming students during summer welcome, August welcome, and winter welcome as well as internal transfers.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• M.S. in Animal Science or a closely related field by the time of appointment
• Minimum of two years of experience in equine care and management

Candidates will be evaluated on:  

• Understanding of best practices for daily and routine equine care
• Skills in communication, organization, record keeping, and management of finances
• Ability to work a flextime schedule to include extended hours, nights, and weekends as necessary, as well as the ability to be “on-call” to address equine emergencies and attend foalings
• Ability to lift 50 to 75 lbs and to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Teaching experience at the university or college level
• Involvement in mentoring or advising undergraduates
• Facility management experience in a university setting
• Previous management of full- and/or part-time labor
• Facility maintenance and repair experience including equipment, buildings, and fencing
• Proficiency in hauling livestock with pull bumper and gooseneck trailers, as well as operating tractors equipped with front end loaders
• Equine skills that include:
  • Evaluation of horses for early signs of illness or injury
  • Competency with wound care, first aid, and bandaging
  • Intensive foaling management of client-owned horses
  • Post-partum mare and foal care
  • Stallion collection, semen processing, and artificial insemination
  • Groundwork training of youngstock
  • Equine marketing

Application Procedure: Please apply online via Human Resources https://erecruit.umsystem.edu/psc/tamext/COLUM/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=9, Job ID 41433.

Applications should include: a letter of interest addressing the qualifications, a comprehensive curriculum vitae and the names and contact information (physical addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses) of three references. References will be contacted when appropriate.

Review of applications will begin 4/15/2022.

Benefit Eligibility: This position is eligible for University benefits.  The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Diversity Commitment: The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor of Human Resource Services/Affirmative Action officer at 573-882-4256.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manager at 573-884-7278.