COUNCIL ON DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING

DATA SUPPORT SPECIALIST

LOCATION: BOWIE, MD

SUMMARY

We are seeking a Data Support Specialist to join the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) organization. The CDCB is a 501 (c) (5) non-profit organization which assumed the service responsibilities for calculating and distributing the genetic evaluations and genomic predictions, for managing data storage, and for analyzing and distributing dairy cattle data, tasks that previously were performed by the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service – Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (USDA-ARS-AGIL). The CDCB allied partners cooperator database is the largest in the world devoted to dairy animals with over 5 million genotypes.

As the Data Support Specialist, you will perform data processing and customer support for collaborators, as part of routine CDCB data ingestion for the genetic and genomic evaluations provided to our customers.

Besides the technical skills described below, the successful candidate will be a team player constantly interacting with the CDCB staff on all levels to achieve the proposed goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform data quality procedures to genomic records entering the CDCB system
• Monitor and review monthly and annual performance of our collaborators
• Troubleshooting for pedigree and genomic conflicts
• Track stepwise the analytical procedures to identify and resolve problems
• Upload pedigree and genotypic data onto the database using existing pipelines
• Keep up-to-date permanent documentation and evaluation logs, empowering other staff members to follow and engage at any stage of the processes
• Contribute to the improvement and automation of data processing and the optimization of analytical procedures to detect any issues in the incoming data
• Assist collaborators with questions/concerns regarding conflicts, evaluations, online tools, and different requests

QUALIFICATIONS

The individual in this position must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor of science (BSc) or equivalent in a quantitative/biological discipline: Animal Science, Quantitative Genetics, Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Applied Mathematics. 

Knowledge and experience should include:

• Passion for working with large data sets as the means of providing meaningful services to the stakeholders
• Willingness to learn working with genomic data (pedigree, SNP, sequencing)
• Knowledge of basic statistics
• Experience working on Linux systems preferred
• Experience performing statistical analyses using SAS, R or other statistical packages (Not required but desirable)
• Experience working with large amounts of real data with SQL, C, Fortran or other programming languages preferred
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, relatively independent work environment

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefit package. A relocation allowance is available.

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending, and 401k retirement savings plan. Our company also provides paid holidays and a generous paid time off program, a congenial work environment that fosters professional and personal growth.

TRAVEL

This position may require travelling to meetings internationally. A valid passport and other appropriate documentation as required for work and entry into the United States of America and other countries is required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must have an excellent command of the English language and be competent in oral and written communication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Should be able to lift and carry 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Transportation to work and meetings should be readily available.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The CDCB organization operates in a strong team environment, with interaction between internal and external individuals and organizations.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND FORMAT

Candidates should submit an electronic file format (PDF or Microsoft Word document) cover letter and resume. Screening will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

ABOUT CDCB

Headquartered in Bowie, Maryland, The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding is a 501 (c) (5) non-profit organization responsible for calculating and distributing the genetic evaluations and genomic predictions, for managing data storage, and for analyzing and distributing dairy cattle data in the United States. The CDCB is an industry collaboration that benefits the dairy community by providing gold standard genetic evaluations for the improvement of dairy cattle populations. The CDCB allied partners cooperator database is the largest in the world devoted to dairy cattle with over 95 million female phenotypic records, more than 5 million animal genotypes receiving genetic evaluations or genomic predictions, increasing at a rate of 1,000,000 per year. Additionally, genomic technologies amplified the opportunities for using genetic predicting models based on complex and difficult to measure phenotypes, generating an exponentially increased need for data in the dairy sector. On-farm data sensors, used in livestock precision farming, have become extremely sophisticated and have been widely adopted in the dairy sector, generating enormous quantities of data points yet marginally explored by centralized hubs. New data types include data generated by automated milking systems sensor devices, existing on-farm data management software, new analytical technologies for milk analyses, data generated by dairy data professional networks servicing dairy herds, and complex phenotypes generated at specialized dairy operations. Within this context, the CDCB is expected to develop a new generation of data pipelines and data analytical capacities on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry.

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding is an Equal Opportunity Employer.