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What We Offer
As the world’s largest Holstein breed association—and one of the largest cattle breed organizations globally—Holstein Association USA offers an exciting platform for applied genetic research and innovation. You'll work with pedigree data spanning more than 20 generations, conformation phenotypes, and cutting-edge sensor-derived trait data, all backed by a strong analytics and IT infrastructure.
This is an opportunity to apply your expertise at scale, supported by rich data, real-world application, and a highly collaborative environment. You’ll be building solutions for the breeders who are directly invested in this work—our membership.
We offer:
Access to the deepest and most comprehensive Holstein data in the industry.
Hands-on work that supports genetic and economic progress for dairy breeders.
A high-impact role collaborating with industry partners.
Forward-looking IT infrastructure and support for innovation. A respected, mission-driven organization where research meets application.
Strong business partnerships that expand the reach and value of your work.
Position Summary
We’re looking for a Genetic Evaluation and Research Scientist who wants to be at the center of applied genetics work—an individual contributor who writes the code, runs the analyses, troubleshoots the pipelines, and sees projects through from concept to delivery. You will be doing the work—integrating genetic and phenotypic data, improving evaluation models, and ensuring Holstein Association USA stays at the forefront of genetic progress.
Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct and deliver genetic evaluations, including TPI, conformation, and novel traits.
• Run and maintain evaluation workflows; contribute to system modernization (e.g., R, Python).
• Design, conduct, and publish research with real-world application to genetic selection programs.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, such as single-step genetic evaluations, AI/machine learning, and genomic selection methods, for integration into research strategy.
• Explore and implement new statistical or genomic methods aligned with industry needs.
• Manage and analyze large genomic and phenotypic datasets from national and global sources.
• Work closely with IT and data teams to maintain data integrity and support scalable systems.
• Integrate on-farm and sensor-based data into evaluation pipelines as needed.
• Represent Holstein Association USA in technical discussions with CDCB, USDA-AGIL, Interbull, universities, AI companies, and other peer institutions.
• Translate technical results into applied takeaways for producers, AI firms, and advisory groups.
• Contribute to educational and outreach materials for producers and industry audiences.
Required Qualifications
• Ph.D. in Animal Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong experience in applied dairy cattle genetics and genetic evaluation systems.
• Proficient in statistical and data programming (R, Python, SAS, SQL, Fortran) in a Linux/Unix environment.
• The successful candidate will be coming into an existing codebase they must support and maintain, but will have considerable latitude to retool (e.g., moving to R and Python) and improve data pipelines moving forward.
• Direct experience with genomic prediction and quantitative methods.
• Strong communication skills for both technical and producer-facing audiences.
• Familiarity with dairy production systems and economic drivers of genetic progress.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working with CDCB, Interbull, USDA, or similar evaluation infrastructures.
• Familiarity with integration of environmental and phenotypic data for genotype-environment interaction studies.
• Prior experience in team leadership and project management.
• Hands-on experience with dairy herd data, on-farm technologies, or breeding program design.
As a valued team member, you will receive a competitive wage and a great benefit package including medical and dental insurance, a retirement savings plan, and paid time off. All set in a pleasant, professional working atmosphere. If you meet the qualifications noted above, please forward your cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources
Holstein Association USA, Inc.
1 Holstein Place, PO Box
808 Click Here to submit your resume online.
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0808
[email protected]
The Holstein Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, complies with all federal, state,
and local laws prohibiting discrimination, actual or perceived, based on race, creed, color, age,
religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetics,
protected veteran status, gender identity or expression or any other characteristics protected by
law.
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Holstein Association USA, Inc., seeks a talented Customer Information Specialist. This position is located in our Brattleboro, VT office.
Job Purpose:
Provide world-class service and support to Association members and customers by efficiently and effectively working across Identification and Genetic Services departments. In addition, serve as an in-house sales and service representative for key customers.
Major Responsibilities:
Classification Services:
• Maintain an extensive knowledge of classification program options
• Assist customers with applying for classification
• Assisting customers with scheduling questions and changes for classification.
• Research and update classification errors accordingly.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of processing classification scores for registered and pending animal records.
Identification Services:
• Assist customers in ordering genomic tests
• Maintain proficiency in the use of computer programs, including the Association’s database and order entry systems.
• Resolve questions for members and customers regarding genomic testing and parentage verification.
• Review and make appropriate decisions on registration applications that are pending due to genetic and quality assurance questions.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures relating to all quality assurance functions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Association’s products, programs, and pricing.
Customer Service:
• Answer incoming member and customer telephone calls and emails to provide support.
• Promote Association products and services as appropriate.
• Maintain an extensive working knowledge of Association products and services, policies, procedures, and pricing.
• Maintain proficiency in the use of computer programs, including the Association’s database and order entry systems.
• Keep detailed records as required to efficiently fulfill customer orders and requests for information.
• Liaise with other departments by obtaining information or forwarding requests to the appropriate department for order completion or question resolution.
• Provide support for the Association website, software applications and other online services.
Genetic Service:
• Assist customers in ordering genomic tests
• Maintain proficiency in the use of computer programs, including the Association’s database and order entry systems.
• Resolve questions for members and customers regarding genomic testing and parentage verification.
• Review and make appropriate decisions on registration applications that are pending due to genetic and quality assurance questions.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures relating to all quality assurance functions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Association’s products, programs, and pricing.
Education and Experience:
• AS or BS in Dairy Science, Animal Science, or related field, preferred
• 2 years of related experience, preferred (preference given to dairy/agriculture industry experience)
Competencies:
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, listening)
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications
• Very detail oriented
• Flexibility to work independently or in a team environment
• Ability to travel periodically
Compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.
As a valued team member, you will receive a competitive wage and a great benefit package including medical and dental insurance, a retirement savings plan, and paid time off. All set in a pleasant, professional working atmosphere. If you meet the qualifications noted above, please forward your cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources
Holstein Association USA, Inc.
1 Holstein Place, PO Box
808 Click Here to submit your resume online.
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0808
[email protected]
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The Holstein Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, complies with all federal, state,
and local laws prohibiting discrimination, actual or perceived, based on race, creed, color, age,
religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetics,
protected veteran status, gender identity or expression or any other characteristics protected by
law.
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