Full Time Sheep Farm Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Meat Lab Lead
(Instructional Support Technician III)

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary hiring range is $5,044 - $5,248 per month (Steps 1 - 3), commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The salary range for this classification is $5,044 - $7,348 per month.

• This is a full-time (equivalent to 40 hours per week), probationary, non-exempt position.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Job Summary

The Fresno State University Agricultural Laboratory (UAL) - Agricultural Operations is a vital part of the practical on-farm educational programs of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Agricultural Operations continually supports the various courses of study offered by the seven academic departments comprising the Jordan College of Agriculture. Students play a major role in our 1,000 acre on-campus farm operations which produce products for our 18 enterprises ranging from animal production, food, meat and dairy processing, vineyards, orchards, horticulture, and field/vegetable crop units. The goal of the UAL is to provide hands-on, relevant training in the entire "farm-to-fork" process including fundamental business principles relevant to each discipline. This position, specific to the Animal Science Meat Laboratory, is integral to the mission of the UAL - Ag Operations and the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

Under the general supervision of the Farm Operations Manager (and close oversight and guidance of the Meat Lab Enterprise Manager/Faculty), this individual will conduct and oversee all phases of day-to-day operations relevant to a complete USDA-FSIS inspected slaughter and processing facility. The duties of this individual will include live animal handling through to all processing, handling, and packaging of meat products to point of sale at the CSUF Fresno Gibson Market and other venues. Duties will include 1) providing support in all educational and commercial activities, 2) animal evaluations, 3) kill floor duties and carcass handling, 4) meat processing and packaging, 5) inventory and purchasing tracking, 6) lead work oversight of student employee, 7) meat related research, and 8) USDA-FSIS regulatory compliance with food safety and HACCP.

The CSU Fresno Meat Laboratory is approximately 8,000 square feet and is composed of a slaughter floor, carcass handing and processing for fresh, frozen, or prepared meats. The slaughter floor accommodates handling beef, swine, sheep, and goats. Future processing areas will include ready-to-eat products, packaging, and sales.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of:
  • Knowledge of procedures and practices relating to the slaughter and processing of meat products.
  • Knowledge of procedures and practices related to ordering, inventory, and distribution of products.
  • Knowledge of the materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to prepare and package meat products.
  • Safety related training, principles, practices, and precautions associated with equipment and working conditions.
  • General knowledge of computers, skills in use of word processing, presentation, and data management software.
• Skill/Ability to:
  • Ability to analyze operational and procedural problems and develop, recommend, and evaluate proposed solutions.
  • Ability to identify, assist in selection of appropriate staff/student worker labor force.
  • Ability to train, to plan, to direct and monitor the work of others.
  • Physically able to move, manipulate and cut large carcasses and various cuts.
  • Interpersonal, and communication skills, including ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Ability to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate - following a schedule.
  • Ability to make equipment repairs and organizational adjustments independently.
  • Ability to maintain records and calculate project needs to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to effectively handle interpersonal interactions at all levels and handle highly sensitive interpersonal situations, using negotiation and persuasion skills to achieve results and expedite projects.
  • Committed to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Ability to perform business math, analyze budgetary data, and make accurate projections requiring some inference.
  • Ability to effectively write and present own reports.
  • Assess safety and training needs and conduct training to ensure safe use equipment, tools, supplies and materials; analyze, review and write reports related to safety.

To view the full list of qualifications and job responsibilities, please click the Position Description button above.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to three years of experience in managing, supervising, or leading a multi-species (beef, swine, sheep, goat) slaughter, carcass fabrication and further processing.

  OR,

• Equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, equipment, and processes related to raw food preparation in addition to 1 year of experience in meat handling with supervisory or lead responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience in administering HACCP training.
• Experienced in working in a USDA-FSIS inspected facility.
• Preferred skills/certificates or education
  • Bachelor's or equivalent degree in Animal Science, Food Science or processing related fields.
  • HACCP Certification.
  • Animal Welfare and Handling (PACO) Certified.
• Familiar with instructional programing and activities related to preparing, distributing, storing materials, supplies, or equipment sales.
• Experience in leading/supervising diverse individuals to accomplish outlined objectives through to completion.

Department Summary

The on-campus animal units for beef, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, sheep and quarter horses are managed 24/7 by students, staff and faculty, and many of their products are processed on campus by students in our nationally-respected dairy, creamery and meats lab.

All of these facilities provide excellent opportunities for students to get out of the classroom and into the "field" to gain real-world workplace and career experience.

Deadline & Application Instructions

Applications received by July 21, 2026 will be given full consideration by the search committee.

• Applications received after that date will be forwarded at the request of the Hiring Manager and/or search committee.

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the employment application for California State University, Fresno. Interested applicants must complete the application and attach the following: 1) their most recent resume/vitae, 2) a cover letter that addresses their specific qualifications and interest, and 3) contact information for three professional references.

Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is one of 22 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe. Fresno State is a tobacco-free, smoke-free and vapor-free campus.

Metropolitan Fresno, with a multi-ethnic population of over 527,000, is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula, beaches, sailing, lakes, and numerous ski resorts. Fresno boasts one of the most reasonable housing markets in California and offers a wide array of locally grown fruits and produce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

California State University, Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Human Resources Department at (559) 278-2032.

Fresno State is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. (e.g. H1-B Visas)

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification (not listed on the CO job posting template) 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://occr.fresnostate.edu/clery.html. 

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Fresno State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at jhorio@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.  Questions may be sent to hr@csufresno.edu.

Background Check Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with California State University, Fresno. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Fresno State has identified as sensitive.

Additional Information

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.